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While your router or modem can stay turned on and working without requiring any resets, occasionally rebooting it can help mitigate and avoid issues that build up over time. So, how often should you restart your router?
It’s good practice to restart your modem or router whenever you have any connectivity issues, transfer internet to another address, or update your internet plan. However, there are plenty more reasons to do so. So let’s dive into when, why, and how to reset router systems for optimal usage.
Reasons for rebooting
The biggest reasons you should be rebooting your router often are increasing internet speed, security, and stability. By making a clean reboot of your router, you can clear out any hardware or software issues, much like rebooting your computer or smartphone to keep everything working smoothly.
Rebooting your router can help facilitate:
- Memory clearance
- Modem or router resynchronization
- Cooling down from overheating
- Resolving IP conflicts with other connected devices
- WiFi channel optimization
- Getting a new dynamic IP for your connection
These issues often cause your network to slow down or even lose connection to your devices. If you’re experiencing connectivity issues, more often than not, it’s one of these issues instead of your ISP being at fault. Testing your network after a reboot of your devices and router can save you and your ISP time.
How often should you reboot your router?
Generally, you should reboot your router as a first step whenever you have any network issues. But there are two major factors that heavily influence how often you should reboot your router: usage and equipment age.
If you live in a household or have a workspace with many people, rebooting your router at least once a week will greatly improve everyone’s connection as well as help your router last longer. However, if you live by yourself or with only a couple more people, a monthly reboot should be more than enough.
Older equipment requires more maintenance, making a weekly reboot a good idea even if you live alone. If your ISP provided you with your router or modem, you can always check if they can swap to a newer model if you find yourself having constant issues.
Difference between rebooting a router and resetting a router
A reboot consists of cycling the power of your equipment. That means turning it off, waiting a few moments, then turning it back on without changing any settings at all. This method is enough to solve most surface-level network issues.
Resetting your router means restoring your device to its factory settings. This will often erase all of your profiles and network configurations, but it can also help you further troubleshoot your network issues if several reboots don’t work.
Methods for Rebooting Routers
Cycling power is the most common method to reboot most routers, including Fidium’s. To successfully cycle the power on your router, follow the steps below.
- Shut down or disconnect network devices connected to your router.
- Unplug the router from the outlet.
- Wait at least 30 seconds with the router unplugged.
- Plug the router back into the outlet.
- Wait for all of your router lights to blink back on and synchronize.
- Turn on other network devices and test the connection.
Never skip the 30-second waiting time. It’s important to leave the equipment powered off for a while so it can fully cycle its power.
There are alternative methods to cycling router power, as some equipment offers mobile apps or web interfaces that allow you to remotely reboot it. An outlet timer can also work to reboot your router on a set schedule.
Reboot Your Router Regularly
Although your ISP can solve your network issues if you contact them, more often than not, rebooting or resetting your modem is enough to fix most problems. This can save you a lot of time you’d spend talking to your ISP.
But if you find yourself having constant issues, changing your router is a good idea. Fidium FIber offers an easy and accessible way to replace your router. So contact Fidium Fiber right now for a fast and reliable fiber internet service!
