Router Basics: Restarting, Placement and Steadier Home Wi-Fi

01Quick answer

To restart a router properly, unplug its power, wait about 30 seconds, plug it back in and give it a few minutes to come fully back online before testing. A restart clears many slowdowns and connection drops. Good placement (central, raised and out in the open) and a strong Wi-Fi password do the rest. This guide explains the basics in plain language for anyone who looks after the Wi-Fi at home.

02Before you start

• Know your boxes. A modem connects your home to the internet provider. A router shares that connection with your devices by Wi-Fi and cable. Many providers supply one box that does both.
• Find the label. Most routers have a label with the default network name, password and the address for the router’s settings page.
• Restart, don’t reset. Restarting is switching off and on. Resetting returns the router to factory settings and erases your network name and password.
• Warn the household. Everyone goes offline for a few minutes during a restart.

03Why this happens

Usually simple to fix:

• The router has been running for a long time and needs a fresh start.
• It’s tucked in a cupboard, on the floor or behind a TV, so the signal is weak in other rooms.
• Many devices are using the network at once, such as video calls and streaming.
• Thick walls, mirrors, fish tanks and appliances block or weaken the signal.
• The internet provider has a temporary outage.

Needs the manufacturer or a repair service:

• The router won’t power on, or its lights show a fault that persists after a restart. Your internet provider supports the equipment it supplies; for a router you bought yourself, contact its manufacturer.
• The internet line itself has a fault, which only your provider can fix.

04Restart your router the right way

1. Unplug the power cable from the router (and the modem, if you have a separate one).
2. Wait about 30 seconds. This lets the equipment clear its memory fully.
3. Plug the modem in first if you have two boxes, and wait until its lights settle. Then plug in the router.
4. Wait a few minutes for the lights to settle. Many routers show a steady light for power, internet and Wi-Fi when all is well; flashing or red lights often mean it’s still starting or there’s a problem. Your router’s manual or label explains its lights.

   Are devices back online? If yes, you’re done. If no devices can get online after several minutes, check your provider’s service status or contact them.

5. Reconnect a device that still struggles by turning its Wi-Fi off and on, or see our guide to a laptop that won’t connect to Wi-Fi.

05Place the router for better coverage

1. Put it near the middle of your home, not in a far corner or the basement, if the cable allows.
2. Raise it off the floor, on a shelf or table.
3. Keep it in the open, not inside a cabinet or behind a TV.
4. Keep it away from thick walls, mirrors, metal objects and microwave ovens, which can weaken or interfere with the signal.
5. Test in the rooms that matter. If coverage is still weak far from the router, your provider or router maker may offer extenders or mesh systems; choose equipment that is compatible with your router.

06Keep your network secure

1. Use a strong, unique Wi-Fi password. If you still use the default printed on the label, consider changing it through the router’s settings page or app.
2. Use current security settings. The Wi-Fi Alliance explains WPA3, the latest Wi-Fi security standard, and WPA2. Choose the strongest option your router and devices support.
3. Keep the router’s software up to date. Many routers update automatically; others have an update option in their settings or app.
4. Change the router’s admin password if it still uses a default, so others can’t change your settings.
5. Remember to update other devices with the new Wi-Fi password, including printers. Our guide to connecting a printer to Wi-Fi helps with that.

07Common mistakes to avoid

• Pressing the reset pinhole instead of restarting.
• Hiding the router in a cupboard or behind the TV.
• Leaving the default Wi-Fi and admin passwords unchanged.
• Restarting the router constantly to fix one device; if only one device struggles, look at that device.
• Opening the router case or changing settings you don’t understand.

08If it still doesn’t work

If no device in the home can get online after a proper restart, contact your internet provider. They can check the line and their equipment remotely and tell you whether there’s an outage. If the router itself shows fault lights or won’t power on, contact your provider (for their equipment) or the router’s manufacturer. Have your account details, the router model and a description of the lights ready.

If only Bluetooth devices struggle near the router, see our Bluetooth guide, since both share the same busy radio band.

09The short version

Restart by unplugging, waiting about 30 seconds and plugging back in, then give it a few minutes. Place the router centrally, raised and in the open. Use a strong password and current security settings, and keep its software updated. Whole-home outages are for your internet provider.

10FAQ

How often should I restart my router?

There’s no fixed rule. Restart it when the connection becomes slow or unreliable. Some routers restart themselves for updates. If you need to restart often, contact your provider or the router maker.

What’s the difference between restarting and resetting a router?

Restarting switches it off and on and keeps all your settings. Resetting, usually with a pinhole button, returns it to factory settings and erases your Wi-Fi name, password and other changes. Only reset if your provider or the manual tells you to.

Why is my Wi-Fi slow in some rooms?

Distance, walls and interference weaken Wi-Fi. Moving the router to a central, raised, open spot helps. For larger homes, extenders or mesh systems compatible with your router can fill gaps.

Should I turn off WPS on my router?

WPS makes adding devices easier with a button press. Some people turn it off when they don’t need it. Check your router’s settings and the Wi-Fi Alliance’s guidance before changing it.