Find a Provider
Main Guides
Related Guides
Technology has advanced to such a level that 65.6% of the population of the world now has internet access. Are you within that percentage? If so, you will want to know how to maintain a strong internet speed.
Each internet user will access the web by using a router. If we find our network isn’t running to the capacity it usually runs, we may need to reboot our router.
How many of us actually know how to reboot a router effectively, though? For those of us who do not know, keep reading for more information on routers and how to reboot them.
What Is a Router?
A router is a product which two or more networks together. It manages to do this by sending specific data between each location’s IP address. This link can cover the entire length of the world.
As technology progresses, there has become a range of types of routers, but most of them will either use LAN or WAN. The difference between the two is how far apart the IP addresses are.
LAN (Local Area Networks) is a collection of links in the same location, such as a house. WAN (Wide Area Networks) is a collection of links spread across a far wider area such as a country.
When Should You Reboot a Router?
Now that we can connect to places around the world, we will want our router to perform. If we notice our network isn’t quite performing, we may need to reboot as usual.
These network problems can come in a range of different signs. We could find our internet speed is decreasing in speed. Or, we could find that out phones are disconnecting from the WiFi regularly.
With the modern age, people expect their internet to run faster with each passing year. If you are unsure of your internet speed, use our free internet speed test to find your connections speed.
How to Reboot a Router
Once you test your internet speed and find that you do, in fact, have network problems, it’s time to reboot. Rebooting your router can solve a lot of issues, but not all of them.
Even so, it is a perfect place to start when trying to fix your network manually. Before you call out an engineer to come and fix your network, always reboot your router first. If the reboot doesn’t work, then it is time to seek help.
Unplug Everything
The first step of the reboot is to unplug the devices. This process tends to include removing the router power supply but also your modem. However, you may have other components to your network.
If you have any other network hardware, such as a network switch, you will need to unplug them. To reboot, you will need to disconnect everything that could be causing the problem.
You may find buttons set into the back of the router, such as power and reset. You are able to turn the power off for this step, but you won’t want to risk pressing the reset button.
Resetting is different from rebooting, so remove the risk of accidentally pressing it. You can do this by unplugging the router rather than using the power switch.
Wait
The next step of a router reboot is to simply wait for the machine to cool down. By doing so, you are allowing your router to inform all components, such as your computer, that it is offline. This step should take at least 30 seconds.
Plug in the Modem
Before returning to the router, plug in your modem to its power supply. You may find that it turns on automatically. If it does not, wait for a few seconds and press the Power button.
The modem is the part of the network that allows your computer to connect to the internet. By plugging this in first, you allow it time to make all the connections required for the reboot.
Wait Again
These connections may take up to 60 seconds to finalize. Wait for the full minute to ensure all connections are up and running before continuing to the next step.
During this time, your modem will be authenticating itself with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This authentication is what generates your location’s IP address.
Plug in the Router
Now it’s time to return to your router. Reconnect the router power supply and wait for it to turn back on. If it doesn’t, then, again, wait for a few seconds and press the power button.
Reconnect all other cables you removed at the start of the router reboot. You need to ensure all cables are plugged into the correct sockets on all components. If you misplace a cable, this could be the cause of your network problems.
The Final Wait
You will be glad to hear that this is the final waiting time in the router reboot process. This step is where we wait for the router to turn itself on fully and run its programs.
This process should take around 2 minutes to complete. Once the router has booted up, plug all those other network hardware you unplugged in step one. Each piece of hardware should take up to 2 minutes to boot up properly.
Time to Test
Once everything has turned on and running effectively, it is now time to test the connection. Go back onto your computer and perform the actions which you found the network problems.
Have you found that the problems have been solved? If you notice that some of them have, but a few haven’t, you may need to bring in an expert to help fix them.
Reboot to Reboost Your Internet
Rebooting a router can be the most simple fix to any network problems we may find. Being able to perform this action should be within every internet user’s ability.
The hardest part of rebooting a router is the waiting between steps. Apart from that, it should be straightforward. Reboot your router to solve a range of problems.
If you enjoyed this article, read more about broadband news, or learn something new with the internet and tech guides we have to offer.
