This quick trick can fix your internet connection

Router problems are among the most common causes of Internet outages, but they’re also usually some of the easiest to fix. Restarting your Wi-Fi router — and potentially your modem as well — can be as simple as unplugging it, waiting about 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. If this does not work, it may be necessary to reset the router to factory settings.

I’ve been writing about home Internet — and all the headaches that come with it — for more than five years. I’ll walk you through all the steps you need to take to get Wi-Fi back up and running.

Do a hard reboot of your router

“Unplug and plug again” is some of the most tried and true advice for any electronic device, and your router is no different. Imagine a computer game gone hopelessly wrong. Starting the game over allows you to walk back all the mistakes you made to get you to that point. A hard reset works the same way, allowing your device a fresh start from a “known state”.

“It’s amazing how it will solve 90% of the problems because the drivers are the interface between the radio and the operating system and they can fall apart,” Dave Coleman, a Wi-Fi expert, author and product director. marketing for Extreme Networks, told CNET. “I know it sounds simple, but it’s the first problem-solving thing people need to do.”

Here’s what you do:

1. Unplug the router from the power source. You can unplug the power cord from the wall or the router — either will work.
2. Wait at least 30 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.

After the router is plugged back into the power source, you may need to wait another 30 seconds for it to reboot. After all lights are on, try connecting to Wi-Fi from a device.

Reset the router to factory settings

If your hard reset didn’t work, a more drastic step is to reset the router to its factory settings. Note of caution: This will erase all your custom settings, such as your network name and password, and give you a new public IP address. Your router will be exactly the same as when you first took it out of the box.

You may want to take this step if you have to reboot your router several times a day or if your Wi-Fi speeds are drastically slower than the speeds you’re getting over a wired connection. I would also recommend making sure your router’s firmware is up to date before doing a factory reset. Here’s what you’ll do on most routers:

1. Keep your router connected to the power source.
2. Insert a paper clip into the Reset slot on your router. Some routers will also have a button that you can press with your finger.
3. Hold this button for about 30 seconds.
4. Wait for the router lights to turn back on. This may take a minute or two.

You can also reset most routers using their app or website. To do this, you will need your login credentials.

How to tell if it’s a modem or router problem

If you have a separate modem and router, you may have to troubleshoot on your own. To find out if your modem is up and running, connect a device to the modem directly using an Ethernet cable. If you can access the Internet this way, the problem is with your router. If it still doesn’t work, you should start with a hard reboot of both devices. Here’s what you’ll do:

• First, unplug your router and modem from the power source.
• Wait about 30 seconds and plug it in again: first the modem, then the router.
• Wait a few minutes for them to turn on completely.

This restart should fix most problems with your modem and router and your internet should be back up.

It may be time to upgrade your router

If you have persistent speed issues or outages that require you to reset your router regularly, it may be time to upgrade to a newer model. Experts recommend replacing your router every five years or so, but if you have a lot of smart home devices or keep up with the latest electronics, it might be worth putting it off to two or three years.

That said, your router is only as good as the internet connection flowing through it. The best way to tell where the fault lies is to run some speed tests while connected to your modem with an Ethernet cable and compare the results to the speeds you’re getting over Wi-Fi. If wired speeds are still slower than you’d like, it may be time to upgrade to a faster plan or switch internet providers altogether.