If your internet stopped working after a storm, the router may not be the cause. The fault could be a loose or damaged cable, the modem or fiber ONT, or an ISP outage. Check power and connections first, restart the modem or ONT before the router, then test where the connection fails before changing settings or resetting anything.
1. Check power, lights and cables
Make sure the modem or fiber ONT and the router have power. Look at their indicator lights and check that the Ethernet cable from the modem or ONT is firmly connected to the router’s WAN or Internet port—not one of its regular LAN ports. Inspect the cable and power adapters for visible damage. If you have a known-good Ethernet cable, try it in place of a loose or suspect one.
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If equipment is wet, visibly burned, smells scorched, makes unusual sounds or has damaged wiring, stop using it. Do not open the router or its power adapter; contact your provider or the manufacturer for safe replacement guidance.
2. Restart the modem or ONT before the router
Restart upstream equipment first so it can reconnect to the provider before the router tries to establish its own connection. Buffalo’s storm-related instructions recommend turning off both devices, waiting one minute, powering on the modem, waiting for its indicator lights to settle, and then turning on the router. Allow several minutes for the connection to stabilize. The timing and indicator names can vary by model, so follow your device manual if it specifies a different procedure. Buffalo’s severe-weather connection guidance describes this sequence for its products.
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- Turn off the modem or ONT and the router.
- Wait one minute.
- Turn on the modem or ONT and wait until its connection lights settle; this may take several minutes.
- Turn on the router and give the network several more minutes to reconnect.
Ofcom’s UK consumer guidance also recommends rebooting broadband devices, including routers, mesh equipment and, for full-fiber service, the ONT. Its general router reboot guidance says to wait about 30 seconds; use your equipment’s own instructions if they differ. Ofcom’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide
3. Work out whether Wi-Fi or internet access is failing
Only one device has a problem
Try another phone, computer or Wi-Fi device. If other devices can connect and reach websites, focus on the affected device rather than changing router settings.
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Devices connect to Wi-Fi, but none can get online
If several devices connect to the Wi-Fi network but have no internet access, check the router’s WAN connection and the modem or ONT. A computer that can reach the router is not necessarily reaching the wider internet: Microsoft explains that a successful ping to the router confirms the local connection, while the problem may still be with the modem or ISP. Microsoft’s Windows Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide
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The Wi-Fi name is missing or the router does not respond
Check that the router has power and examine its indicator lights. If it remains unresponsive or does not broadcast Wi-Fi after the restart, contact the router manufacturer after confirming whether the modem or ONT has reconnected.
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Test the upstream connection directly, if your provider allows it
If practical, connect a computer to the modem with Ethernet and check whether the internet works. Follow your ISP’s instructions: some services require provider-specific settings or activation for a direct connection. TP-Link advises contacting the ISP if the modem still cannot provide internet after a restart. If internet works with the router removed, investigate the router, its WAN cable or its configuration. TP-Link’s router internet-connection troubleshooting guide
4. Check WAN status before changing settings
If your router provides a management page or app, look for its Internet or WAN status. On TP-Link models covered by its guide, an Internet IP address of 0.0.0.0 means the router has not received a valid address from the modem. Check that the modem is online and the WAN cable is seated before changing router settings.
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Do not guess at connection type or alter PPPoE, static IP, DNS or MAC settings unless you know your ISP requires it. Also check whether a provider-supplied gateway is already acting as a router. Buffalo says its compatible devices should use access point mode when the upstream device provides routing, and router mode when it does not. The right mode depends on the equipment and service; ask your provider if you cannot tell rather than switching modes blindly. Buffalo’s severe-weather connection guidance
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- Contact your ISP if the modem or ONT does not reconnect, a permitted direct-modem test fails, or you suspect a local outage. Ask whether service is affected in your area.
- Contact router support if upstream service works but the router has no Wi-Fi, does not respond or continues to show a WAN fault after you have checked the connection.
Have the modem, ONT and router model numbers ready. Note which lights are on or flashing and what you already tried; those details help support narrow down the fault. Ofcom’s UK guidance recommends contacting your provider when the connection problem persists after basic troubleshooting. Ofcom’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide
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6. Reset only after the earlier checks
A factory reset erases the router’s configuration, so you may need to set up the network again from scratch. Use it only after checking power, cables, the upstream connection and the router’s operating mode—and only if you can reconfigure the device. Follow the instructions for your exact model; reset procedures differ. TP-Link places factory reset after restart, cable and direct-modem checks. TP-Link’s router internet-connection troubleshooting guide
When to replace the router
Consider a replacement only if your provider confirms service is working and the router still fails after the manufacturer’s model-specific checks. Before buying, confirm that the device supports your ISP and connection type, ask whether your provider offers a supported replacement, and account for setup cost and the coverage your home needs. Ofcom notes that a personally purchased router may be harder to set up and may not be supported by the provider. For a coverage problem in a larger home, mesh may help, but it is a coverage option—not a fix for an ISP outage or a faulty WAN connection. Ofcom also cautions that mesh can cost more and that too many units can make problems worse. Ofcom’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide
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