How to Restart Your Router the Right Way
any home router; brand menus described generically · Last checked · Suggest an edit
https://instructions.wiki/wifi/restart-your-router
The internet has slowed to a crawl or dropped entirely, and support asks you to restart the router. The order matters: modem first, then router.
Unplug the modem and the router from power
Pull the power cord from the back of the modem and the router. If you have a single combined gateway from your internet provider, unplug that one box. Leave the internet cable (coax, fiber, or phone line) alone. Do not press the reset button. That is a different thing.
Wait 30 seconds
This clears the memory and lets the hardware fully power down. Counting to 30 is enough. Some providers suggest a full minute, which does no harm.
Plug the modem in first
Reconnect the modem's power and wait. Its lights will blink for 1 to 2 minutes while it reconnects to your provider. Wait until the internet or online light is solid before moving on. With a combined gateway, this is the only box to plug in, and you can go straight to testing.
Plug the router in
Now reconnect the router's power. Its lights take about a minute to settle. When the Wi-Fi light is on, the network is broadcasting again.
Test the connection
Open a web page on a phone or laptop. If it loads, you are done. If it does not, look at the modem's internet light. A blinking or dark internet light on the modem points to a problem on the provider's side, which a restart cannot fix.
If you would rather not unplug anything. The router's admin page usually has a Reboot or Restart button in its System, Administration, or Advanced section, and ISP apps offer the same. It restarts the router without touching the modem.
A restart is not a reset. The recessed reset button on the back wipes your Wi-Fi name, password, and every other setting when held for about 10 seconds. Only use it if you intend to start over.