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Learn how to restart and reset your router

Lisa Iscrupe,Hannah WhatleyAllconnect

Published 5:51 pm ET Sep 24

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Resetting your router isn’t an everyday occurrence, but knowing how to restart your router can save you time, money and tedious calls to technical support. If you’ve noticed that your internet service is lagging or has a spotty connection, it might be time to reboot your router. If you need to find out how to restart router quickly, follow these steps to fix your internet dilemmas. 

When do you need to reboot your router?

There’s no fixed schedule for how often you should reboot router connections. However, troubleshooting an unexplained internet outage, or virtually any other slow Wi-Fi issue, should always start with a router restart before moving on to more complicated fixes. 

Knowing how your Wi-Fi router works is key to understanding why a router reboot or reset is necessary. High-speed internet uses a modem and router to connect the internet signal to your location and transmit the wireless signal throughout your home. When you browse the web, the Wi-Fi router keeps a cache, a type of temporary storage, of frequently visited sites. This cache improves the loading speed of web pages. 

However, over time the cache can reach capacity and start hindering, rather than helping, your home Wi-Fi connection. When this happens, you may notice sluggish page loading times or buffering on video or music streaming. Rebooting your Wi-Fi router will clear the cache and restore your standard upload and download speeds. 

The cache is not the only culprit that requires a router reboot, however. Even the best Wi-Fi routers can suffer from other glitches or technical irregularities. The simplest way to resolve these problems is by going through a quick restart router process. 

How to restart your router

There are three ways to reboot router performance. Each method will give you the same results, so the technique you use is purely personal preference. These processes are standard to restart routers and should work for the following equipment:

• Xfinity router
• Spectrum router
• Verizon router
• Cox router
• Netgear router
• Asus router

1. Power button reboot: 

The simplest way to reboot your router is to turn the device off using the power button. Wait at least 60 seconds before turning the device back on. Since most internet providers offer a router with your internet service, the location of the power switch varies, but you can usually find it on the back of the device. Keep in mind that your router could be a part of a gateway, which is a combo modem and router device. 

2. Unplug reboot:

Another way to reboot router functions is to unplug it, wait one minute and plug it back in. If your Wi-Fi router and modem are separate devices, you should unplug both devices and then wait one minute before plugging the modem back in first. Give the modem a few minutes to restart, then plug the router back in. 

3. App reboot: 

Nearly all cable or fiber providers have an app that allows you to control your Wi-Fi network from your cell phone. You can restart your gateway, router or Wi-Fi extenders within the app. This function is typically under “devices” or “equipment,” but settings for each internet provider may vary. 

How to reset your router

Resetting your router back to its factory default settings is an extreme option. Try resetting your Wi-Fi router only if all other troubleshooting steps have not worked. 

When you reset router settings, any network customizations you have made will be deleted, including your Wi-Fi network name, password, firewall settings and more. Make a note of any modifications before taking this step. Resetting your router will also give you a new IP address, which is how the internet works to identify your network’s location.

Here’s how to reset your router to its default settings:

1. Leave your router plugged in.
2. Locate the reset button. This is usually a pinhole-sized indent on the back of your router or gateway. 
3. Use the end of a paperclip to hold the reset button down for at least 15 seconds. 
4. You may notice the lights on your router flash or go dark during the reset.
5. Once you release the button, your router reset is complete. 

What if a restart and reset doesn’t work?

Regardless of what type of internet connection you have, a router restart or reset can’t cure all Wi-Fi woes. If rebooting and resetting your router didn’t work, try these final recommendations:

• Place your router in a more optimal location.
• Attempt other common ways to fix Wi-Fi that isn’t working.  
• Call or chat with your internet provider’s customer support team. 
• Consider upgrading your modem and router. 
• Switch to a new internet provider.

Lisa IscrupeAllconnect.com

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.