How to restart router and modem properly?

The simplest and most common way to fix a problem is to restart, no matter what it is, if something goes wrong. Windows crashed? Restart. Phone won't connect to WiFi? Restart. It doesn't fix everything, but sometimes it helps.

The same goes for your modem (whether cable, DSL, satellite, or fiber) or router. But if you don't reboot properly, you could end up losing your internet connection, or worse, the problem you're having.

• Why should you restart your router regularly?
• Why can restarting the router fix many problems?

When to reboot the router?

Restarting (also known as rebooting) is one of the simplest troubleshooting steps you can take to fix devices that aren't working properly. Windows seems a little buggy today? Restart your computer. Your iPhone won't connect to WiFi anymore? Restart your phone and try again.

It's interesting that when you describe the problem to your IT department or tech support, they will immediately suggest restarting or rebooting the device, because in fact, rebooting can fix a lot of problems .

Restarting also fixes problems with network hardware, such as digital modems (cable, DSL, satellite, or fiber) and routers. Are your smartphones and laptops losing their connection to the Internet? Is your NAS no longer showing up on your desktop? Are connected devices experiencing slow streaming and browsing? If so, restart your router and modem. Restarting network hardware fixes up to 75% of network and Internet issues.

Your router and modem must be restarted in the correct order for the reboot to resolve the issue. If the devices are not restarted in the correct order, you may lose your Internet connection completely.

Follow the brief procedure below to try to improve the situation. This reboot process works for most brands and models of routers, as well as modems.

How to restart modem and router

Note: The steps below are for rebooting, not resetting the device. To know the difference between Reboot and Reset , please read another article that WebTech360 has introduced.

Step 1: Unplug the router and modem.

Do not use the button labeled Reset or Restart as this will usually initiate the restore/reset process mentioned above. You can use the power button to turn it off but unplugging the cord is the easiest.

If you have other managed network devices, such as network switches, be sure to unplug them as well. For unmanaged devices, it’s fine to leave them plugged in, but consider whether they’re the cause of your problem.

Step 2: Wait 30 seconds

This step may not be necessary if you know exactly what the problem is, but often you just reboot when you don't know what the problem is. Wait for the device to rest, so that the ISP, computer, device know that you are offline.

• Explaining the 30-30-30 rule when hard resetting a router

Step 3: Plug the modem cable back in.

Remember to plug in only the modem. If it doesn’t power up in a few seconds, try using the power button to turn it on. If you’re using a cable network, the modem is the device that connects the network directly to your home.

A modem is a device that directly connects the network to your home.

Step 4: Wait at least 60 seconds

This waiting time is important but often overlooked. The modem needs time to authenticate with the ISP and obtain the assigned public IP address.

Modems vary, but will typically have four lights: power, receive, send, and activity. While you wait, make sure the first three lights are on, indicating that the modem is receiving power.

Step 5: Plug the router back in

Just like when you plugged in the modem in step 3, you will sometimes need to press the power button. If you are using a modem-router combo , skip this step and the next one. The software in the device will power up in the correct order.

To find out which router is yours, note that the router is usually connected directly to the modem, so the device next to it will be the router you need. Not all routers have antennas, but many do, so if you don’t know, look for one that does.

Step 6: Wait at least 2 minutes

This is the time for the router to retrieve backups, and for computers, phones, and other “downstream” devices using the network to get new private IP addresses from the DHCP service on the router.

If you have turned off the power to your switches or other network devices, now is the time to turn them back on. Wait a few minutes. If you have multiple devices, make sure they are powered from an external source (based on your network map).

Step 7: Now the router and modem have been properly rebooted. Try checking if the problem is fixed.

While it’s not necessary to restart your computer or other wireless devices, it may be worth doing so, especially if some are online and some aren’t. As with your router and modem, make sure to restart them properly. If not, you can refresh your IP address (using the ipconfig /review command in Command Prompt ).

If restarting your router and modem doesn’t fix the problem, try to find the specific cause of the network error. If you can’t get a signal from your ISP (the first 3 lights aren’t steady), try calling your ISP….

See also:

• Why should you restart your router regularly?
• Why does restarting your phone make it run faster and fix some common errors?
• Explaining the 30-30-30 rule when hard resetting a router