How Often Should You Reboot Your Router — and the Right Way to Do It
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“Have you tried turning it off and on again?” is the first thing support asks, and for good reason. But you will also read advice to reboot your router every week or even every day. There is no official schedule from router makers or security agencies, and a modern router does not need one. Here is what a reboot really does, when to do it, and how to do it properly.
The Short Answer
Reboot your router when something is wrong: the internet is slow or drops, a device cannot connect, or a setting does not take effect. Many people also reboot once a month or so as routine maintenance, which does no harm. If a router needs a reboot every few days to keep working, that is a symptom of a problem — overheating, a firmware bug or an old device — not a normal maintenance interval.
What a Reboot Actually Fixes
A router is a small computer that runs for weeks or months without a break. A restart clears whatever state has piled up:
Memory and processes. Long-running firmware can leak memory or get stuck after weeks of use. A restart starts everything fresh.
The connection to your provider. The router reconnects to the modem and the provider and often gets a new public address. This fixes many cases of “connected but no internet”; see Wi-Fi connected but no internet.
Local addresses. The router hands out addresses again, which clears most address conflicts between devices.
Wi-Fi channels. On routers with automatic channel selection, the router scans the airwaves again at startup and may move to a less crowded channel; see the best Wi-Fi channel.
A reboot does not make a slow plan faster, fix weak signal in a far room, or repair hardware. If speed returns after a reboot but degrades again within days, look for the cause; why is my Wi-Fi so slow walks through it.
Do not confuse a reboot with a factory reset. A reboot keeps all your settings; a reset erases them. See how to factory reset a router for when that is needed.
Does Rebooting Protect Against Hackers?
Only a little. In 2018, during the VPNFilter malware campaign, the FBI recommended that owners of home and small-office routers reboot them. But the FBI described the reboot as a way to temporarily disrupt the malware and help identify infected devices — part of the malware survived a restart. The same announcement advised disabling remote management, using strong passwords and encryption, and updating the firmware.
That is the lasting lesson: firmware updates and a secure configuration protect a router; a reboot does not replace them. See how to update router firmware and how to secure your home network. If your router no longer receives updates, rebooting it more often will not make it safe; see how often should you replace your router.
How to Reboot a Router and Modem
The power-cycle method works on every router. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guide uses this order:
- Unplug the router’s power cable, then the modem’s.
- If the modem has a backup battery and its lights stay on, remove the battery.
- Wait at least 30 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in and wait until its lights stop blinking and settle.
- Plug the router back in and wait a few minutes until it has fully started.
Starting the modem first lets it establish the connection to your provider before the router asks for an address. If you have a single gateway (modem and router in one box), just power-cycle that one device.
From the app or the settings page. Most routers have a Reboot or Restart button in their app or web interface, usually under System, Administration or Maintenance. Provider gateways can often be restarted from the provider’s app. This is handy when the router is hard to reach. With mesh systems, use the app to restart the whole system, not just one unit.
Do not use the reset button. The small recessed button on the back is for a factory reset, not a reboot. Holding it erases your settings.
Scheduling Automatic Reboots
Many routers can restart themselves on a schedule — look for a “reboot schedule” or “scheduled reboot” option in the system or administration settings or in the app. If you use it, pick a time when nobody is online, such as early morning, and keep it weekly or less often. A smart plug can do the same for routers without a scheduler, but it cuts the power abruptly, which is better avoided during a firmware update.
Automatic reboots are a convenience, not a requirement. If your router works well, you do not need them.
When You Need to Reboot Too Often
If the internet only works again after a restart every few days, look for the cause instead of rebooting more often:
Overheating. Keep the router in the open, not in a cabinet or on top of other devices, and check that its vents are not blocked.
Firmware. Update it; many stability bugs are fixed in updates.
Too many devices for an old router. Older routers struggle with dozens of phones, TVs and smart devices.
The modem or the line. If the modem’s online light goes out, the problem is on the provider’s side; check the router and modem lights.
Age. A router that is many years old and unstable is usually cheaper to replace than to babysit.
Frequently asked questions
Is it good to reboot your router every day?
It is not harmful, but it is not needed. A router that only works with a daily reboot has a problem worth fixing.
Does rebooting a router improve speed?
It can restore speed lost to a stuck process, an address conflict or a crowded channel. It cannot make your connection faster than your plan or improve weak signal.
Should I reboot the modem or the router first?
Turn both off, then start the modem first, wait until its lights settle, and then start the router.
How long should I leave the router unplugged?
At least 30 seconds, so that it shuts down fully.
Is restarting the same as resetting a router?
No. Restarting keeps your settings; resetting returns the router to factory defaults and erases them.