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Power Cycle Your Router
- Unplug the power cable from the back of the router (or from the wall outlet).
- If you have a separate modem, unplug it too.
- Wait 30 seconds. This lets the router’s memory fully clear.
- Plug the modem back in first. Wait 1 to 2 minutes until the internet light turns solid.
- Plug the router back in. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for it to fully boot up.
- Your WiFi network reappears and devices reconnect automatically.
Power cycling is the simplest and most effective fix for internet slowdowns, connection drops, and devices that won’t connect. It clears temporary memory, resets network connections, and forces the router to reestablish communication with your ISP. Restarting fixes the problem about 80% of the time when your internet isn’t working right.
Why 30 Seconds Matters
The 30-second wait isn’t arbitrary. Routers store temporary data in capacitors that hold charge briefly after being unplugged. Waiting 30 seconds ensures that charge drains completely, clearing the router’s volatile memory. Plugging it back in too quickly means the old (potentially corrupted) data stays in memory and the restart may not fix anything.
Restart From the Admin Page
You can restart the router through its settings page without physically unplugging it.
For network monitoring, check our WiFi router history guide.
- Open a browser and go to your router’s admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
- Log in with your admin credentials.
- Look for “Reboot,” “Restart,” or “System Tools.”
- Click “Reboot” or “Restart.”
- Confirm the action. The router restarts and takes 2 to 3 minutes to come back online.
| Router Brand | Where to Find Reboot |
|---|---|
| Netgear | Advanced, then Reboot |
| TP-Link | System Tools, then Reboot |
| ASUS | Administration, then System, then Reboot |
| Linksys | Troubleshooting, then Diagnostics, then Reboot |
| Xfinity | Troubleshoot, then Restart Gateway (or Xfinity app) |
| Spectrum | My Spectrum app, then Equipment, then Restart |
Restart Using the Router’s App
Most modern routers have companion apps that let you restart remotely – even from outside your home.
Netgear (Nighthawk/Orbi): Open the app, tap “Router Settings” or the gear icon, and tap “Reboot.”
TP-Link (Tether): Open the app, tap “Tools,” then “Reboot.”
ASUS (ASUS Router): Open the app and tap “Reboot” on the main dashboard.
Google Nest WiFi (Google Home): Open Google Home, tap “WiFi,” then the settings gear, then “Restart.”
Xfinity (Xfinity app): Open the app, go to “Internet,” then “Restart this Device.”
If you are still exploring options, our modem router combo for optimum guide is a solid next read.
App-based restarts are convenient when you’re troubleshooting remotely or when the router is in a hard-to-reach spot.
Restart vs. Reset
These two actions are very different:
| Action | What It Does | Settings Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Restart (reboot) | Turns the router off and back on | None – all settings preserved |
| Reset (factory reset) | Erases all settings and restores factory defaults | WiFi name, password, all custom settings deleted |
A restart is safe and keeps all your settings. A factory reset wipes everything – your WiFi name, password, port forwarding rules, parental controls, and any other configuration. Only factory reset as a last resort when nothing else works.
When to Restart Your Router
Internet is slow or laggy. Routers handle thousands of connections in memory. Over time, this data can pile up and slow things down. A restart clears the memory and gives the router a fresh start.
Devices can’t connect. If your phone or laptop sees the WiFi network but can’t get online, the router’s DHCP server (which assigns IP addresses) may be stuck. A restart fixes this.
Specific websites or services won’t load. The router caches DNS lookups. If a DNS entry goes stale, certain sites may not load even though the internet works. A restart clears the DNS cache.
Speeds have gradually slowed over weeks. Routers, like any computer, benefit from periodic restarts. Memory leaks and connection table buildup degrade performance over time.
After a power outage. If the router came back on automatically after an outage, it may not have reconnected to your ISP properly. A clean restart fixes connection timing issues.
Set Up Automatic Restarts
Some routers let you schedule automatic restarts so you never have to think about it.
This topic ties into our WiFi router for multiple devices guide, which covers the next steps.
ASUS routers: Go to Administration, then System, and set a scheduled reboot time (like 4:00 AM daily or weekly).
TP-Link routers: Check System Tools for a scheduled reboot option. Not all models support it.
Smart plugs: If your router doesn’t have a scheduled reboot feature, plug it into a smart plug (like a TP-Link Kasa or Amazon Smart Plug) and set it to turn off and on at a set time. Set the off period to at least 1 minute to ensure a proper restart.
Troubleshooting
Internet still doesn’t work after restarting. Restart the modem too (not just the router). If you have a separate modem, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the internet light before restarting the router. If the modem’s internet light won’t go solid, the issue is with your ISP – check for service outages on their website or app.
WiFi comes back but speeds are still slow. The problem may not be the router. Test your speed with a device plugged directly into the router via Ethernet. If wired speeds match your plan, the issue is WiFi interference or distance. If wired speeds are also slow, contact your ISP.
Devices don’t reconnect automatically. Most devices reconnect within a minute of the router coming back online. If a device doesn’t, toggle its WiFi off and on. On stubborn devices, forget the network and reconnect by entering the password again.
Router takes more than 5 minutes to restart. If the lights keep cycling and the router never finishes booting, unplug it again, wait a full 60 seconds, and try once more. If it still won’t boot, the router may have a hardware issue or corrupted firmware. Try a factory reset (press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds). If that doesn’t work, contact the manufacturer or your ISP for a replacement.
How often should I restart my router?
Once a month is a good habit for most homes. If you have many connected devices (20+) or notice regular slowdowns, restart every 1 to 2 weeks. Some people set up a weekly scheduled restart at a time when nobody’s using the internet (like 3 or 4 AM). There’s no downside to restarting more frequently – it doesn’t wear out the hardware.
Will restarting the router disconnect my smart home devices?
Temporarily, yes. All devices lose WiFi during the 2 to 3 minutes the router takes to restart. Smart home devices (Alexa, smart plugs, smart lights, cameras) reconnect automatically once the WiFi comes back. You don’t need to reconfigure anything. Any scheduled routines or automations resume as normal. Pick a time for restarts when a brief disconnection won’t cause problems.
Does restarting the router change my IP address?
It might. Most ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that can change when the modem reconnects. A router-only restart usually keeps the same IP since the modem maintains the connection. If you restart the modem too, your public IP may change. This matters if you use port forwarding, remote access, or a home security camera system that relies on a static IP. Contact your ISP for a static IP if you need one that doesn’t change.
Sources
For top picks, see our best WiFi routers roundup.
For brand-specific router reset guides, see our: How to Reset Netgear Router, How to Reset Spectrum Router, How to Reset Google WiFi Router, and Reset Your Fios Router: Every Model, Every Method.
If your WiFi feels slow even after optimizing, the bottleneck might be your internet plan. See what providers and speed tiers are available in your area.
Netgear – Reboot Netgear Router | TP-Link – Reboot TP-Link Router
