Get Your Free Modem and Router Restart Guide

Understanding When and Why You Might Need to Restart Your Modem and Router

A modem and router are two different devices that work together to bring internet into your home. Your modem connects to your internet service provider (ISP) through a cable, phone line, or fiber connection. The router takes that internet signal and spreads it wirelessly throughout your house so your devices can connect. Many people have separate devices, while others have a combo unit that does both jobs at once.

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Over time, both devices can develop problems that slow down your internet or cause connections to drop. These issues happen because the devices store information in temporary memory and process thousands of data requests. When they run continuously for weeks or months without stopping, they can become sluggish or develop minor glitches. Restarting clears out this temporary information and gives the device a fresh start, similar to how restarting your computer can fix problems.

Common signs that a restart might help include: internet speeds that are slower than usual, difficulty connecting new devices to your network, websites that load slowly, video streaming that keeps pausing, video calls that freeze or drop, and devices randomly losing their internet connection. You might also notice that some rooms in your house get weaker signal than others, or that your connection seems stable in the morning but gets worse as the day goes on.

According to internet service provider data, restarts resolve approximately 50-70% of basic connectivity problems without requiring a technician visit. This means that before paying for service calls or replacing equipment, a simple restart is often worth trying.

Practical takeaway: Restarting your modem and router can fix many common internet problems and should be one of the first troubleshooting steps you try when experiencing connection issues.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Restarting Your Modem

The process of restarting a modem is straightforward and takes about five to ten minutes from start to finish. Begin by locating your modem, which is typically a rectangular box with lights on the front. Most modems are kept near where the internet cable enters your home, often in a closet, basement, or utility room.

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The first step is to unplug the power cable from the back of the modem. This completely cuts off electricity to the device. Leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds. During this time, the device discharges the temporary information stored in its memory. Waiting a full 30 seconds ensures that all data is cleared, even though you might see the lights turn off within a few seconds.

After 30 seconds, plug the power cable back in. You will see lights begin to turn on. These lights are called status lights or indicator lights. Common colors include white, blue, and amber or orange. When you first plug it back in, you may see lights flash rapidly or glow solid. This is the modem going through its startup sequence, which typically takes two to three minutes.

During startup, look for these lights: a power light (usually stays solid), an internet or online light (which should turn solid when connected), and lights for each connected device or service. Different modem brands use different light patterns, so check your specific model's manual if you're unsure what the lights mean. The key signal that your modem has finished restarting is when the lights stop changing and settle into their normal pattern. Once they're stable, your modem has successfully restarted and should be ready to use.

One important note: avoid restarting your modem during important tasks like online meetings, downloads, or online gaming, as your internet will be unavailable for a few minutes during the process.

Practical takeaway: A modem restart involves unplugging for 30 seconds and waiting for the lights to stabilize after plugging back in—a simple process that requires no technical knowledge.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Restarting Your Router

After your modem has finished restarting and is stable, you can restart your router. The router is typically a separate box with antennas on top, though some people have combo units that combine modem and router functions. If you have a combo unit, restarting it once will restart both devices together.

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Locate the power cable connected to your router and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Like with the modem, leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds. This wait time is important because it ensures all temporary data is completely cleared from the router's memory. If you have a combo unit that combines modem and router, you've already done this step when you restarted the modem, so you don't need to do it again.

After the 30-second wait, plug the power cable back in. The router will begin its startup sequence, which typically takes two to three minutes. During this time, you'll see lights flash and change color. These status lights indicate that the router is loading its settings and connecting to the modem. The lights will vary depending on your router brand and model, but common ones include a power light, an internet or WAN light, and WiFi lights.

Wait until the lights stop changing and become stable before trying to connect devices to your WiFi network. Once the lights are steady and not flashing, your router has completed its restart. You should then be able to see your WiFi network name (called the SSID) on your phone or computer and connect to it.

If you have multiple routers or a mesh WiFi system with multiple units, restart them one at a time, waiting for each one to fully restart before moving to the next. This prevents connection issues that can happen when devices restart simultaneously.

Practical takeaway: Restarting a router follows the same simple process as a modem: unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in and wait for lights to stabilize.

What to Do if You Have a Combo Unit or Mesh WiFi System

Many modern homes have a combo unit that combines the modem and router into a single device. These units look like a larger box with built-in antennas and perform both functions simultaneously. If you have a combo unit, you only need to perform one restart, not separate restarts for each device. Unplugging the combo unit for 30 seconds will restart both the modem and router functions at once.

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Some homes also use mesh WiFi systems, which consist of multiple smaller units placed throughout the house to provide better WiFi coverage. A mesh system typically includes one main unit (sometimes called a primary unit or gateway) that connects to your modem, and several satellite units placed in other rooms. If you have a mesh system, restart the main unit first by unplugging it for 30 seconds and waiting for it to fully restart. The satellite units will automatically reconnect once the main unit is back online.

If you want to restart the entire mesh system, you can unplug all units simultaneously, wait 30 seconds, then plug them back in. However, restart the main unit first so it can fully establish its connection before the satellite units try to join the network. Allow three to five minutes for all units to complete their startup before attempting to connect devices.

Newer mesh systems and combo units sometimes include a restart button on the device itself. This button is usually small and recessed into the device (requiring you to press it with something thin like a paperclip) rather than a regular pushbutton. Pressing and holding this button for 10-15 seconds will restart the device without needing to unplug it. Check your device's manual to see if it has a restart button and where it's located.

For combo units and mesh systems, you can usually see the WiFi network name on the device itself or in a smartphone app. This information helps you confirm which device you're restarting and verify that it has come back online.

Practical takeaway: Combo units restart completely when unplugged once, while mesh systems should have the main unit restarted first, followed by other units if needed.

Understanding the Difference Between a Restart and a Reset

It's important to understand the difference between restarting a device and resetting it, as they have very different outcomes. A restart (also called a reboot) simply turns the device off and back on. It clears temporary information but keeps all your settings, passwords, and personalized configurations exactly as they were. After a restart, you won't need to enter your WiFi password again or reconfigure anything.

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A reset is a more drastic