Wi-Fi and internet
How do I restart my router safely?
Restarting means unplugging power and plugging it back in. Resetting usually means pressing a small reset button and can erase your Wi-Fi setup. You usually want restart, not reset.
The short answer
Unplug the power cord, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, then wait 3 to 5 minutes for the internet and Wi-Fi lights to settle.
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Steps for Router or modem
- 1Find the power cord going into the router or modem.
- 2Unplug only the power cord.
- 3Wait 30 seconds.
- 4Plug it back in and wait 3 to 5 minutes.
One safety note
Do not press and hold the reset button unless your internet provider tells you to.
Before you change settings
What to know first
What this usually means
- The router is overloaded or stuck.
- The internet provider had a short outage.
- The modem and router restarted in the wrong order.
- A device is connected to Wi-Fi but the router is not online yet.
Do not do this yet
- Do not press and hold the reset button unless your internet provider tells you to.
- Do not unplug every cable unless you know where each one goes.
- Do not change the Wi-Fi name or password during a normal restart.
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