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Yes. Unplugging and restarting a Wi-Fi router can restore a connection when the problem is temporary, but it will not fix every cause of slow or missing internet. It briefly disconnects everyone using the network. If you have a separate modem and router, restart the modem first, wait for its connection lights to settle, then restart the router.
What unplugging the router can—and cannot—do
A restart, also called a reboot or power cycle, turns the equipment off and starts it again. Microsoft Support says restarting the modem and wireless router helps create a new connection to the internet service provider (ISP). Google Nest Help notes that a modem restart can resolve some internet connection problems, occasionally improve a slow connection, and address common wireless issues.
Those are possible troubleshooting outcomes, not a guarantee. A reboot cannot repair an ISP outage or failing hardware, and it does not identify the underlying cause. There is no established success rate for restarting a home router.
How to restart your equipment safely
Follow the instructions for your own equipment if they differ from these general steps. The sequence depends on whether your modem and router are separate devices or combined in one unit.
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Separate modem and router
- Unplug both the modem and router. If your modem has a backup battery and stays on, Microsoft Support says you may need to remove the battery during the restart.
- Leave the devices off for at least about 30 seconds, as Microsoft Support recommends. Timing varies: Google Nest Help advises leaving a modem off for 2–3 minutes, while NETGEAR recommends 10 seconds unplugged for a router without a power button or 30 seconds when using its power button.
- Reconnect the modem first. Wait for its connection lights to settle; Google Nest Help says to wait until the internet light is solid.
- Reconnect the router and give it a few minutes to restart and reconnect before testing. NETGEAR says a reboot can take up to two minutes on some devices.
One modem-router combination
If your modem and router are in a single unit, restart that device as one piece of equipment rather than trying to follow a separate-device sequence.
Fibre and mesh setups
A fibre connection may include an optical network terminal (ONT), and a mesh setup may have additional nodes or boosters. Ofcom recommends restarting relevant network equipment, including boosters or mesh devices and a fibre ONT, while following the manufacturer’s instructions.
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What to expect when the router restarts
Every device connected through the network will lose its connection temporarily. Plan around anything that depends on the internet, such as a video call or online activity. A reboot is different from a factory reset: NETGEAR says its reboot procedure keeps Wi-Fi settings saved. Do not press a reset button as if it were a substitute for unplugging; a factory reset is a separate operation.
If restarting does not solve the problem
Check the scope of the failure before deciding what to troubleshoot next. A problem affecting one device points in a different direction from a failure across both wired and wireless devices.
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| What is affected | What to check next |
|---|---|
| One device | Check that device’s connection and restart it. Ofcom also recommends checking whether someone else is using the Wi-Fi for data-heavy activity. |
| Wi-Fi devices, but not wired devices | Focus on the wireless connection, router, boosters, or mesh nodes. Restart relevant equipment according to its maker’s instructions. |
| Wired and wireless devices | Check for a broader modem or ISP connection problem. Where practical, test the connection directly from the modem. |
Test the modem connection directly
TP-Link recommends disconnecting the router and connecting a computer directly to the modem to help isolate the fault. If the connection is still unstable in that arrangement, the modem or ISP is a likely source. If it works, check the router side, including the WAN cable and connection. TP-Link notes that DNS lookup failures and outdated firmware can contribute to intermittent connection problems.
Check the cable and contact your ISP when appropriate
For a suspected cable or WAN-port issue, TP-Link recommends confirming that the Ethernet cable is the correct one and firmly connected, then trying another cable if available. If direct modem testing does not restore service, or the modem’s connection remains abnormal, contact your ISP. Google Nest Help likewise advises contacting the ISP when modem problems persist.
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Restarting is not a reason to replace your router
A reboot is a first troubleshooting step, not evidence that the router needs replacing. First determine whether the problem is limited to one device, Wi-Fi, the router, the modem, or the ISP connection. Consider router-specific hardware only if the problem remains isolated to the router after those checks.
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