Restart the router the right way
Technical Terrence · November 12, 2026
A restart (a power cycle) often fixes slow or flaky Wi-Fi. A factory reset does not: it erases your Wi-Fi name, password, and other settings. The FCC notes that powering a router off and back on can resolve a speed problem.
- Unplug the power cord from the router. If you have a separate modem, unplug that too.
- Wait about a minute. Brands disagree on the exact time, so a minute is a safe wait.
- If you have two boxes, plug the modem in first and wait until it looks online. Then plug the router in. If you have one combined modem-router, just plug that back in.
- Wait until the lights settle, then reconnect and try again.
Don’t press the small Reset button (often recessed). On many routers, including NETGEAR’s, that starts a factory reset, not a restart. Using the power cord avoids that button.
A Restart or Reboot in the admin page or ISP app is also a restart, not a reset. Menu names vary by brand.
Sources checked
- Home Network Tips (FCC)
- How do I power cycle or reboot my NETGEAR router? (NETGEAR Support)
- How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router? (NETGEAR Support)
- TP-Link: Slow internet fixes (modem first, then router, as one vendor example)