The most common reason your router loses internet is a loose cable or a problem between your router and your internet service provider's equipment

Before you restart anything, check the physical cables. The cable running from the wall into your modem (the box your internet service provider installed) should be firmly seated at both ends. The cable from your modem to your router should also be tight. A cable that looks plugged in but is actually half-loose will drop your connection without any warning signs.

If the cables are tight and you still have no internet, the issue is usually one of three things: your modem has lost sync with your service provider's network, your router has crashed, or there is a problem on your service provider's end. You can tell which one by looking at the lights on your modem and router.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that the cable from the wall to your modem and the cable from your modem to your router are both firmly plugged in at both ends before doing anything else.
  • The lights on your modem tell you whether your internet service provider's connection is working — a solid light means it is, a blinking or off light means it is not.
  • Restarting your modem first (wait 30 seconds after unplugging it) fixes most connection problems because it forces your modem to resync with your service provider's network.
  • If your modem's internet light is off or red after a restart, the problem is on your service provider's end and you will need to contact them.
  • Restarting your router only helps if your modem is working fine but your devices cannot see the network or cannot stay connected to it.

What the lights on your modem actually mean

Your modem has several lights on the front. The one that matters most is labeled "Internet," "Online," "WAN," or sometimes just a globe icon. This light tells you whether your modem can talk to your service provider's network.

A solid green or white light means your modem is connected. A blinking light means your modem is trying to connect but has not succeeded yet. An orange or red light, or no light at all, means your modem has lost the connection. If you see a blinking light or no light, your service provider's network is either down in your area or your modem has lost sync and needs to restart.

Your router also has lights. These show whether the router itself is powered on and whether devices are connected to it. If your router's lights are on but your modem's internet light is off, the problem is definitely with your modem or your service provider, not your router.

How to restart your modem the right way

Restarting your modem fixes most connection problems because it forces the modem to go through its startup sequence again and resync with your service provider's network. This takes about two to three minutes total.

Unplug the power cable from the back of your modem. Wait at least 30 seconds — this matters because the modem needs time to fully power down. Plug it back in. The lights will go dark, then start blinking as the modem boots up. Wait until the internet light is solid again before you test your connection. This usually takes 90 seconds to two minutes.

If the internet light goes solid and stays solid, your connection is back. If the light stays blinking or stays off after three minutes, the problem is on your service provider's end. Write down the time and call your service provider's support line to report an outage.

When to restart your router instead

Restart your router only if your modem's internet light is solid green or white. If your modem is working but your devices cannot find the network, or they connect and then drop off, the problem is in your router.

Unplug your router's power cable, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. The lights will go dark and then start blinking. Wait about two minutes for the network to come back up. Try connecting a device to the network again.

If restarting your router does not fix the problem and your modem is definitely working, the issue is usually that your router has crashed or is overheating. Routers that are stacked under other equipment or in a closed cabinet can overheat and stop working. Try moving your router to an open space with air around it and restart it again.

What to check if restarting does not work

If your modem's internet light is still off after a full restart, check whether your service provider has posted an outage notice. Most service providers have a status page you can check from your phone using mobile data. Search for "[your service provider name] outage status" or "[your service provider name] service status." If there is an outage in your area, your service will return when the provider fixes it — there is nothing you can do on your end.

If there is no outage and your modem still will not connect after restarting, the problem may be with the cable coming from the wall. This cable connects to your service provider's network outside your home. If it is damaged or loose at the wall outlet, your modem cannot connect no matter what you do. Check where the cable enters the wall. If it looks damaged or if it wiggles when you touch it, you will need to contact your service provider to have a technician check the line.

If your modem is working but your router will not broadcast a network after restarting, and moving it to a better location does not help, your router may have failed. Routers typically last three to five years before the internal components wear out. If your router is older than that and restarting does not fix the problem, you may need to replace it.

How to tell if the problem is your devices, not your network

If your modem and router are both working but only some of your devices can connect, or if one device connects but cannot load websites, the problem is usually with that device, not your network.

Try connecting a different device to your network. If the second device works fine, the first device has a problem with its network settings or its wireless card. If no devices can connect, or if all devices connect but none can load websites, the problem is your router or modem.

If one device connects but cannot load websites while other devices work fine, restart that device. If it still does not work, the problem is usually that the device's network settings have become corrupted. On most phones and computers, you can forget the network and reconnect to it fresh. Look for "Forget Network" or "Remove Network" in your device's wireless settings, then reconnect using your network password.

Why your connection keeps dropping even when it is working

If your internet works for a while and then stops, then works again, the problem is usually interference or a weak signal, not a broken connection. Routers broadcast on radio frequencies that other devices also use. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and some USB devices can interfere with your router's signal, especially if they are close to it.

Move your router away from these devices. If you cannot move the router, try moving the interfering device instead. If your router is in a cabinet or closet, move it to an open shelf or table where the signal can spread. Solid walls and metal objects also block the signal, so keep your router in a central location rather than in a corner.

If your devices are far from your router, the signal may be too weak to stay connected. Devices that are more than 50 feet away or separated from the router by multiple walls often drop their connection. Move closer to the router or consider adding a second router or a mesh network system to extend the signal to distant parts of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my modem and router at the same time?

No. Always restart your modem first and wait for it to fully boot up before you touch your router. If your modem is working, restart your router separately. Restarting both at once makes it harder to figure out which one is causing the problem.

What if I see lights on my modem but the internet still does not work?

Lights on means power is on, but it does not mean the internet connection is working. Look specifically for the internet light. If that light is off or blinking, your modem is not connected to your service provider's network. Restart the modem and check that light again.

Can I fix this by restarting my computer or phone instead?

Restarting your device can help if only that device cannot connect, but it will not fix a problem with your modem or router. If multiple devices cannot connect, restarting them will not help. Restart your modem first.

How long should I wait before calling my service provider?

Wait at least five minutes after restarting your modem. If the internet light is still off or blinking after five minutes, and there is no outage posted on your service provider's status page, call them. Have the modem's model number and serial number ready — you will find these on a sticker on the back of the modem.

Will restarting my modem delete my passwords or settings?

No. Restarting your modem does not erase anything. Your network name, password, and all your settings will be exactly the same after the restart. The only thing that changes is that the modem reconnects to your service provider's network.