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To reboot a router, switch it off with its power button, wait for the interval in its manufacturer’s instructions, then switch it back on. If there is no power button, unplug its power cable and reconnect it after the specified wait. Some models also offer a restart command in their app or web interface. The exact control and timing depend on the equipment.
Where to find the router’s reboot control
Check the router’s rear or side panel for a power button. If it has one, use that rather than a recessed reset button. If there is no power button, use the power cable. Alternatively, use the manufacturer’s app or web interface if the model supports a software reboot.
| Method | Best when | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Power button or unplugging | You can reach the router | Does not require signing in to an admin interface. Follow the model’s instructions for how long to leave it off. |
| Manufacturer app or web interface | The router is hard to reach and the model supports a software restart | Requires access to the app or interface; available controls vary by model. |
NETGEAR documents power-button, unplug-and-reconnect, Nighthawk app, and web-interface methods for supported routers. ASUS also documents physical, app, and web GUI methods. Check the instructions for your own model: NETGEAR support and ASUS support.
How to reboot a router safely
- Identify the router. Find its model number and consult its manual or manufacturer support page for the correct restart method and wait time.
- Turn it off. Press its power button, or unplug its power cable if there is no button. Do not press or hold a recessed reset control.
- Wait as instructed. NETGEAR specifies 30 seconds after switching off with the power button, or 10 seconds after unplugging a model without one. These are examples for its equipment, not universal timings.
- Restore power and let it boot. Turn the router on or reconnect power. Wait for its indicator lights to show it is ready before judging whether the connection has returned.
Boot times also differ: NETGEAR says its router may take up to two minutes to reboot, while ASUS says its router may need about three minutes to finish booting. Allow the time specified for your device. Connected devices briefly lose network and internet access during a restart, then should reconnect. NETGEAR’s reboot guidance and ASUS’s reboot instructions describe their supported methods and expectations.
#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
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- 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.
Rebooting a modem and router together
First check whether you have a single modem-router gateway or two separate devices. A combined gateway is one device; there is no separate router to power on afterward. For separate modem and router equipment, follow the sequence provided for those models rather than combining steps from different manufacturers.
For separate modem and router devices
NETGEAR’s home-network procedure is to shut down the equipment, wait two minutes, power on the modem, and let it boot and establish its ISP connection before powering on the router. Its guide says to allow the modem five minutes, potentially longer, to connect. Then wait for the router to finish starting. Google likewise advises waiting until the modem’s Internet light is solid before checking service. These instructions apply to their stated equipment and contexts; your provider or device maker may specify different timing. See NETGEAR’s home-network guidance and Google’s modem troubleshooting instructions.
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
For an ISP gateway
Use the provider’s instructions for the gateway model. As examples of how much timing can vary, Google says to wait two to three minutes while its modem powers down, while AT&T says its gateway can take up to 10 minutes to restart. Neither interval should be treated as a universal timer. Google’s guidance and AT&T’s gateway instructions give context-specific steps.
Reboot is not the same as factory reset
A reboot power-cycles the router; it is not a request to erase its configuration. Linksys describes rebooting as power-cycling the device, while a factory reset restores factory defaults. TP-Link says a factory reset erases settings such as internet and Wi-Fi configuration, port forwarding, and parental controls. For an ordinary temporary connection problem, try a normal reboot first. Do not hold a reset pinhole unless you intend to erase settings and have the model-specific reset instructions. See Linksys’s reboot guidance and TP-Link’s reset guidance.
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.
If the internet still does not work afterward
- Wait until the modem, gateway, or router has completed its restart; check its indicator lights against the device instructions.
- For separate equipment, check whether the modem has re-established its connection to the ISP before troubleshooting the router further.
- Check your provider’s outage or service-status channel. A reboot cannot restore service during an ISP outage.
- If a modem remains offline, Google advises contacting the ISP. For fiber service, Frontier advises checking power to the ONT (the optical network terminal) and restarting it if the router restart did not help.
- If there is no outage and the modem is online but the problem persists, contact your ISP or equipment manufacturer for model-specific troubleshooting.
See Google’s modem troubleshooting guidance, NETGEAR’s home-network support, and Frontier’s internet troubleshooting instructions. A restart may clear a temporary fault, but it is not a guaranteed speed improvement or fix for every connection problem.
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-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
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- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 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.
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