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To reboot a router, use its power button—often on the back—or unplug its power cord if it has no button. Wait for the interval specified for your model, then turn it back on and allow it to reconnect. Many routers also offer a restart option in their app or web interface. The exact controls and timing vary by device.
Choose a reboot method
| Method | When it helps | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Power button or unplugging | You can reach the router and want to restart it without signing in. | Use the power button if available. If not, disconnect power and reconnect it after the model-specific wait. |
| Manufacturer app or web interface | The router supports software rebooting, or it is difficult to reach physically. | Look for a restart or reboot command in the router’s app or admin interface. Availability depends on the model and whether you can access it locally or remotely. |
NETGEAR documents power-button, unplug-and-reconnect, Nighthawk app, and web-interface methods; its instructions say rebooting may take up to two minutes. ASUS also documents physical, app, and web GUI methods. NETGEAR router reboot instructions · ASUS router reboot instructions
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Reboot the router
- Find the power control. Check the router’s rear or side panel for a power button. If you cannot find one, consult the instructions for the exact model before disconnecting anything.
- Turn it off. Press the power button, or unplug the router’s power connection if it has no button.
- Wait the specified interval. Use the manufacturer’s instructions rather than assuming one wait time applies to every router.
- Restore power. Press the power button again or reconnect the power cord.
- Allow it to finish starting. Wait until its indicators show that it is ready, then check whether your devices reconnect.
For example, NETGEAR says to wait 30 seconds after switching off a router with a power button, or 10 seconds after unplugging a model without one. ASUS says its router may need about three minutes to finish booting. These are model-specific examples, not universal timings. NETGEAR’s timing guidance · ASUS’s reboot guidance
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf you have a separate modem and router
A combined modem-router gateway is a single device: restart it according to its manufacturer’s instructions. With a separate modem and router, follow the procedure for those exact devices. NETGEAR’s home-network guidance says to power down the equipment, wait two minutes, turn on the modem first, and let it establish an ISP connection before powering up the router. Its guide says to allow the modem five minutes to boot, possibly longer. Google’s modem instructions likewise say to wait for the Internet light to become solid before checking service. NETGEAR home-network restart procedure · Google modem troubleshooting
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Restart timing and sequences can differ across equipment and troubleshooting contexts. Don’t combine steps from different manufacturers into a single universal procedure; use the instructions for your modem, router, or gateway.
A reboot is not a factory reset
A reboot briefly power-cycles the router. It does not ordinarily erase the network configuration. A factory reset restores factory defaults and can remove custom settings. TP-Link lists internet and Wi-Fi settings, port forwarding, and parental controls among the configuration a factory reset erases. Do not press or hold a reset pinhole as a reboot method: use it only when you intend to reset the device and have the correct model-specific instructions. Linksys on rebooting versus resetting · TP-Link factory-reset guidance
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
If internet access does not return
- Give the equipment time to reconnect. The router and, if separate, the modem need to finish starting before you can tell whether service is back.
- Check the modem’s connection. If it remains offline or does not establish an ISP connection, restarting the router may not address the problem. Google advises contacting the ISP if modem problems persist. Google modem troubleshooting
- Check for an outage. Look at your provider’s status or support channel. NETGEAR also advises checking with the ISP when a home-network restart does not resolve the issue. NETGEAR home-network troubleshooting
- For fiber service, check the ONT if applicable. Frontier’s guidance says fiber customers may need to check power to or restart the ONT if restarting the router has not helped. Follow your provider’s instructions for that equipment. Frontier router and fiber troubleshooting
A reboot can help with a temporary connectivity problem, but it cannot fix every modem, provider, or line fault, and it is not a guaranteed way to improve internet speed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
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