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.

Now try it on your device

Choose your path

Pick the device or situation that matches the screen in front of you.

2 options

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

1Take a photo of the router lights before touching anything.

2Unplug the power cable, not the internet cable, if you can tell the difference.

3Wait several minutes before deciding it did not work.

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.

Copy this to Emily

You do not need perfect technical words. Send the plain version and a screenshot if you have one.

I need to restart my router, but I do not want to reset it. I see [describe lights/buttons]. Which cord should I unplug?