Restarting your router is a common practice when encountering WiFi or Internet issues at home. However, it’s essential to ensure that you’re doing it correctly. Not everyone is aware of the proper procedure, and doing it right can help you avoid further problems. Routers should not be restarted in the same way as other devices, and understanding the correct method is crucial for effective troubleshooting.
Routers are typically considered “always-on” devices, seldom turned off for extended periods due to their low energy consumption. Nevertheless, there may be occasions when you need to power cycle the router to address a connectivity problem or for other sensible reasons. It’s crucial to perform this task correctly to achieve the desired results and not restart the router in vain. Let’s explore the correct way to do it.
Restarting Your Router: The Right Steps
While it’s not advisable to power off your router every day, restarting it occasionally can be beneficial, especially when attempting to resolve connectivity issues or perform updates. However, one key factor must be observed: a router functions like a miniature computer. Therefore, it should not be power-cycled instantly but rather following a specific procedure.
Routers possess their own system, memory, and CPU, and a simple restart can often optimize their performance, particularly when WiFi network problems arise. The crucial aspect is how to restart it. It’s not sufficient to switch it off and on within a second. To perform a proper restart, you should wait for a period of 20-30 seconds.
Why the Wait Period?
The reason for this delay is to ensure that the router undergoes a complete shutdown and restart. Waiting for 20-30 seconds allows the device to power off completely, ensuring that it resets all system processes. This process is essential because it enables the router to start from scratch once powered on again. Without this brief pause, simply turning the router off and on may not yield the desired results in most cases.
During this brief downtime, the router will fully shut down, and its lights will gradually begin to illuminate once it’s powered on again. The various services, such as WiFi, Internet connectivity, and landline connections, will be reactivated as part of the restart process. Subsequently, the router should function normally. To confirm if the issue has been resolved, you can visit a website, open an application, or conduct a speed test to assess the status of your Internet connection.
In summary, understanding the proper way to restart your router is essential for effective troubleshooting and optimizing its performance. By following the 20-30 second rule, you can ensure that your router undergoes a complete reboot, potentially resolving connectivity issues and enhancing your Internet experience.