When You Have Problems with Your Internet Connection, Power Cycling Might Help

When You Have Problems with Your Internet Connection, Power Cycling Might Help

If you’re having problems getting connected or staying connected to the Internet or you’re having problems with your connection slowing down or dropping, power cycling is the first thing you should try. It’s not a fix for everything, but it’s easy and it only takes about five minutes to do.

Power cycling is just a fancy name for restarting your modem and wireless router.

Restarting your modem and wireless router helps create a new connection to your Internet service provider (ISP). Keep in mind that when you power cycle, anyone using your connection will be temporarily disconnected, so if there are others in your home using the internet it might be a good idea to give them a heads up.

These are the general steps to restarting your modem and router… but these can vary by brand. Some modems and routers have power switches, but the steps below should work for almost everyone.

1.) Disconnect the router from the power source.

2.) Disconnect the modem from the power source.

3.) Wait at least two minutes.

4.) Restart your computer while the modem and router are disconnected from their power sources.

While your computer is restarting…

5.) Plug the modem back into the power source. Wait for the modem to complete its test cycle and all the modem lights look normal.

6.) When the modem is working and all lights are normal, plug your router back into its power source. Wait until the router powers on and its status lights are on and look normal.

Now try your Internet connection.