How to Reboot Your Router

Your router sits in the closet, on your desk or in the dank, dark basement working 24 / 7 defending your network from outside port scans and allowing you to connect and receive transmissions from the outside world. It has log files, memory and cache info just like your PC does, so it makes sense that the router should be rebooted every once in a while to clear this info out.

There are a couple different ways you can reboot your router. You can physically turn it off by the switch or by unplugging it. Or you can take a moment to login and do some manual router maintenance, like look for a firmware update or clear log files. Some newer router can perform the firmware update while you're logged into it and reboot when it is done. Some will require that you go to the manufacturer's website to download the update.

When you reboot the router, take a moment to reboot the modem attached to it, as well. You should start with the modem, router and PC off. Plug the modem back in after a few minutes, wait for all green lights, then plug in the router and do the same. A few minutes later, boot up the PC. This is called power-cycling. It gives everyone the opportunity to get a new IP address and often fixes random problems that are hard to identify.