If you rely on a WiFi connection for internet connectivity at home, you should know how to properly restart the router and the modem. The modem connects your home to the Internet Service Provider and is responsible for the transmission of Internet data. Meanwhile, the WiFi router disperses the signal transmitted by the modem to all the devices in your home. If you’re unable to connect to the internet or experiencing sluggish speeds, either of the two devices may be at fault.
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In This Article
Why you should restart your modem and router
‘Power cycling’ is the process of unplugging your electronic device and then plugging it back in. This process of removing the power source and then connecting it performs a quick restart. Like your smartphone and PC, the router and modem can also develop glitches that can only be resolved by restarting the devices.
Upon close inspection, you may notice that the two devices have a ‘reset’ pinhole as well. This function can be triggered by inserting a paper clip or a safety clip through the pinhole. However, you should be warned that this will not only reboot the two devices but also reset them completely. You will lose all your saved configurations and settings. If you’re experiencing sluggish speeds, it is better to stick with restarting the modem and the router.
Manually restart a router and modem
Step 1: Unplug the router and the modem from the wall outlet. If there’s any additional hardware contributing to the setup (like network switches), unplug it as well.
Step 2: Wait for 30-60 seconds after unplugging the hardware. Let the router and modem cool down.
Step 3: Plug in the modem and press the power button. Let the modem connect to your ISP. This will take 60-90 seconds.
Step 4: Plug in the router and press its power button. If your router and modem work in a combined setup, pressing the power button won’t be necessary.
Step 5: Wait for 2-3 minutes for the router to boot up. You can track the LED notification lights to view their connectivity status.
Step 6: Once the router and modem have restarted, you can connect to the WiFi network.
Restart your router using its management gateway
Step 1: Enter the router’s IP address in the web browser to access its management gateway. 192.168.1.1 should work for most routers.
Step 2: Login using your username and password.
Step 3: Select Maintenance from the sidebar and click on Reboot.
Step 4: Hit Reboot and confirm your selection in the popup box.
Restart your router at a scheduled time
Step 1: Enter the router’s IP address in the web browser to access its management gateway. 192.168.1.1 should work for most routers.
Step 2: Log in using your username and password.
Step 3: Click on WiFi Setup and select WiFi Schedule.
Step 4: Turn on the toggle switch next to Enabled.
Step 5: Select the day on which you want the router to reboot.
Step 6: Enter the WiFi refresh time in hours and minutes.
Step 7: Hit Save.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I restart my router and modem?
You should restart your modem and router when you encounter slow internet speed and unwanted lag.
How do I restart the router and modem?
Simply unplug the two devices from their wall outlets, wait for 30-60 seconds, plug in the modem, and then plug in the router after 30 seconds.
How do I schedule my router to restart at a particular time?
Go to the router’s web management portal, navigate to WiFi Setup>WiFi Schedule, turn on the toggle switch for ‘Enabled’, and enter the day and time for reboot.
How do I remotely restart my WiFi router?
On your PC or mobile, enter the router’s IP address in the web browser to access its management gateway. Enter the username and password. Go to Maintenance>Reboot and select the appropriate option.
How do I check my home WiFi network’s speed?
Connect your device to your home WiFi network, go to the Ookla Speed Test website and hit ‘Go’.
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Conclusion
This is how you can restart your modem and the WiFi router at home. If restarting the two devices does not restore internet connectivity, contact your network provider for further assistance. Press the ‘Reset’ button on the two devices if you want to perform a factory reset.
