Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in

A restart clears your router's memory and forces it to rebuild its connection to your modem and internet service provider. Most connection problems — slow speeds, devices dropping off, pages that won't load — stop happening after a restart. It takes three minutes and costs nothing.

The process is the same whether your router is a standalone box, built into your modem, or part of a combo unit. Power it down completely, wait long enough for the lights to go dark, then power it back up. The router will spend 30 to 60 seconds reconnecting. You'll know it's done when the lights stop blinking rapidly and settle into a steady pattern.

Key Takeaways

  • Unplug the router's power cable for at least 30 seconds — this clears the device's memory and forces a fresh connection.
  • Wait for all lights to go completely dark before plugging it back in, which ensures a full shutdown.
  • The router will take 30 to 60 seconds to reconnect after you plug it back in; the lights will stop blinking rapidly when it's ready.
  • A restart fixes most temporary connection problems without requiring you to change any settings or contact your internet provider.
  • If the problem returns within a few hours, try restarting both your modem and router together, with the modem first.

The step-by-step restart process

Locate the power cable running from your router to the wall outlet. Follow it to where it plugs in — this is usually behind the router or on the side. Unplug it directly from the outlet, not from the router itself. You should see all the lights on the router go dark within a few seconds.

Count to 30 while the router sits unplugged. This gives the device time to fully discharge and clear its memory. If you're restarting because of a connection problem, this waiting period is the most important part — plugging it back in when ready often doesn't fix anything.

Plug the power cable back into the outlet. The router will power on and begin reconnecting. You'll see the lights turn on and start blinking, usually in a pattern of rapid flashes. This is normal. The router is communicating with your modem and your internet provider's network to rebuild the connection.

Wait 30 to 60 seconds for the lights to settle. Once the blinking slows down and the lights hold steady (usually a solid white or green light, depending on your model), the router is ready to use. Test your connection by opening a web browser or checking that your devices show a strong signal.

When to restart the modem and router together

If restarting just the router doesn't fix your problem, or if the problem comes back within a few hours, restart both devices. The modem is the device that connects to your internet service provider's network, and sometimes it needs to reconnect too.

Unplug the modem first and wait 30 seconds. Then unplug the router. Wait another 30 seconds with both devices unplugged. Plug the modem back in first and wait for its lights to settle — this usually takes 60 to 90 seconds. Once the modem is fully reconnected, plug the router back in and wait another 60 seconds for it to reconnect.

The order matters because the router needs the modem to be online before it can connect to the internet. If you plug the router in first, it will try to connect to a modem that isn't ready yet, and the restart won't work properly.

What happens during a restart

When you unplug the router, it loses power and forgets temporary information stored in its memory — things like which devices are connected, what channels it's using, and any errors it encountered. This temporary information, called the cache, can get corrupted and cause connection problems.

When you plug it back in, the router starts fresh. It scans for available channels, reconnects to your modem, and rebuilds its list of connected devices. This process usually fixes problems caused by interference, overheating, or software glitches that happen during normal operation.

A restart does not change any of your settings — your Wi-Fi password, network name, or security settings stay the same. It also does not affect your internet bill or your account with your provider. It's purely a way to clear temporary problems without making permanent changes.

Signs your router needs a restart

Restart your router if you notice your internet is slower than usual, if some devices can't connect while others can, if you keep getting disconnected and reconnected, or if websites take a long time to load. These are all signs that something temporary has gone wrong with the router's connection.

You should also restart if you haven't restarted in several months. Routers that run continuously for weeks or months can develop small glitches that a restart clears. Many people restart their router once a month as routine maintenance, the same way you might restart a computer.

If restarting doesn't fix the problem, or if the problem comes back the next day, something else is wrong — your internet service might be down in your area, your modem might be failing, or your router might be too old to work reliably. In those cases, contact your internet provider or consider replacing the router.

Restarting a combo modem-router unit

Some internet providers give you a single device that acts as both modem and router. It looks like a larger box with more lights than a typical router. The restart process is exactly the same — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.

Because this device handles both functions, restarting it restarts both at once. You don't need to unplug anything else. Wait for the lights to settle before testing your connection, which usually takes 90 to 120 seconds because the device has to reconnect to your provider's network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I restart my router?

Most routers work fine for months without a restart. Restart only when you notice a connection problem, or once a month if you want to do routine maintenance. You don't need to restart it every day or every week unless you're having ongoing problems.

Will restarting delete my Wi-Fi password or network name?

No. A restart clears only temporary information stored in the router's memory. Your Wi-Fi password, network name, security settings, and any other configuration you've set up will remain exactly the same after the restart.

What if the lights don't come back on after I plug it in?

Check that the power cable is fully plugged into both the outlet and the router. Try a different outlet in case the first one isn't working. If the lights still don't come on, the power cable or the router itself may be damaged, and you may need to replace it.

Can I restart the router while I'm using the internet?

You can, but your internet will go down for 2 to 3 minutes while the router restarts. Any video calls, downloads, or online games will stop. It's better to restart when you're not actively using the internet, or let people in your household know that the connection will be down briefly.

Why does my internet still not work after restarting?

If restarting both the modem and router doesn't fix it, your internet service might be down in your area, your modem might not be connecting to your provider's network, or there might be a problem with your account. Contact your internet provider to check if there's an outage or if something else needs to be fixed.