AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
Today’s world is built on connection, making reliable internet access more crucial than ever. We've all experienced those frustrating moments when our Wi-Fi connection slows or drops, and the world feels like it’s ending. It’s not, though — your router just needs a reset. Whether you're dealing with sluggish speeds, intermittent connections or the need to reconfigure your network settings, knowing how to reset a Wi-Fi router can save you time and frustration.
The process of resetting a Wi-Fi router — essentially refreshing its operating system and clearing out disruptive glitches — is actually pretty simple. However, it's important to understand when and how to perform the correct type of reset, as well as the implications it has for your network settings. For the casual internet user looking to troubleshoot connectivity issues, mastering this essential skill will keep you online and plugged in. Here’s how it’s done.
In a nutshell
Resetting a Wi-Fi router is easier than you might think. In most situations, all it takes is the yank of a cord or the push of a button to get your router back to square one, and your devices back online.
- The process can take between five and 15 minutes, because giving your router and modem time to actually disconnect and power down is essential.
- Your router should have a WPS button — which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup — that is designed to easily establish or reset the wireless connection when pressed and held.
- Unplugging the router will cut its power, but won’t mess with any of your existing settings. Using the WPS button, however, will erase everything.
What is a Wi-Fi router?
A Wi-Fi router is a device that acts as the central connection point of your home’s wireless network. It connects multiple devices, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and smart home devices to the internet and to each other. Sometimes, due to bugs and glitches, heavy traffic or outages, your router will need to be reset so it can seamlessly funnel Wi-Fi goodness in and out of your home without interruption.
Steps to reset your wifi router
Even the best Wi-Fi routers need a reset from time to time. There are two ways to do it — a soft reset and a hard reset. If you’ve confirmed that your router is the issue, rather than your modem or a regional outage, either one should get you back online quickly.
Soft reset
A soft reset can also be referred to as a “power cycle” or a “reboot,” and it’s a way to restart your router without losing data. It’s perfect if your router is experiencing spotty connectivity, intermittent lags or performance hiccups. It’s your basic turn it off/turn it back on technique, which for most models can be done by unplugging the router and disconnecting all of its cables. After waiting for roughly 60 seconds, plug the cables back in one by one, starting with the data cables and finishing with the power cord. If a soft reset doesn’t fix your issue, you may need to try something a little harder.
Hard reset
A hard reset is a little more “scorched Earth” because while it will likely cure all of your router's ailments, it’ll also wipe out all of your custom settings, passwords, parental controls, configurations and preferences. Also known as a “factory reset,” this option reverts your router’s settings back to the original defaults it came with out of the factory. To perform a hard reset, find the pinhole-sized opening on the back of your router and use a paper clip or reset key to press the button inside. While the process for a hard reset is more simple than a soft reset, you’ll have to use the time you save by just pressing a button to reconfigure your network, passwords and settings. But, your router will be as good as new.
What happens when you reset a Wi-Fi router?
There are different types of resets that can be performed on most routers, according to Gabe Kassel, product leader at eero. “A soft reset will clear the device’s configurations, while a hard reset involves restoring the device to its default settings and removing it from the network,” he says.
Soft resets are also referred to as reboots or restarts, and they involve simply interrupting your network connection to clear out temporary software glitches or memory issues that may cause connectivity problems. After restarting, the router will automatically reconnect to your internet service provider (ISP) and your wireless devices.
A hard reset, also known as a factory reset, reverts the router to its original factory settings through the use of its embedded reset button. All custom settings, such as your Wi-Fi network name and password, will be erased before the router restarts and initializes with its default configuration.
How do I know if I need a soft reset or a hard reset?
The type of reset you need can usually be diagnosed by the frequency of connectivity issues, duration of interruptions and overall performance of your Wi-Fi network. “There are several reasons your router may not be connecting to the internet,” Kassel says. “You may have encountered a spot in your home that your signal can’t reach because of walls or structures blocking it. Or, you may have a network internet outage that’s affecting your whole coverage area.”
Start with a soft reset if you’re experiencing temporary connectivity issues, intermittent periods of sluggishness or unresponsive internet access. A soft reset will briefly interrupt your internet connection, but will not erase any settings or information you’ve already programmed in.
If a soft reset doesn’t help, you may continue to notice persistent connectivity issues with greater frequency and duration. A hard reset will erase all customized settings, including your Wi-Fi network name, Wi-Fi password and any other configurations you've made. However, once your router restarts it will function as if it’s brand new, making it easier to connect to a working internet network.
Will resetting my Wi-Fi router improve my internet speed?
If the problem with your internet connectivity speed is rooted in your router, resetting it should help eliminate temporary issues, refresh connections and maintain consistent performance. However, if slow speeds persist after resetting, other factors such as network congestion, ISP limitations and device settings could be your issue. “Check that your internet service provider doesn’t require special settings, like PPPoE, Static IP or WAN and VLAN tags,” Kassel says. These types of configurations aren’t common, so they can be easy to miss when trying to diagnose your issues.
Unfortunately, if there’s a larger disruption in your service area, resetting your router won’t help connection issues or internet speed. “If you can, try to access your internet service provider’s website to see if there is an outage in your area,” Kassel says. “You can also check router apps to see which devices are still connected throughout your home network.”
What should I do before I reset my Wi-Fi router?
If you’re performing a hard reset on your router — that’s the one that wipes all of your settings with no mercy — you’ll want to plan ahead. Start by backing up or taking note of important settings and preferences that you’ll lose during the factory reset. You can sign into your router’s admin interface through a web browser and take screenshots of details like your Wi-Fi network name, password, port settings, parental controls and any other custom configurations you might want to reinstate after the wipe.
Make sure you know your device’s default login credentials as well. The default username and password can usually be found on a sticker stuck to the router itself, or in the device’s manual. Finally, disconnect any nonessential devices that might be zapping Wi-Fi strength from your network to reduce potential interruptions during the reset process.
What should I do after I reset my Wi-Fi router?
Once your router is back from the dead, you can resurrect your Wi-Fi network with a few simple steps. First, access the router’s admin interface using the default credentials and reconfigure them to your liking. If you backed up any specific settings before the reset, you can restore them as well.
Next, check for any available firmware updates and install them immediately. Updated firmware will likely improve overall performance, ensure the security of your new network and fix bugs that may have necessitated the reset in the first place.
Once you’ve verified that your network is up and that your devices are connected, make sure your router is placed in a physically optimal location — ideally elevated, in the open and free from obstructions — to ensure optimal signal strength throughout your home.
Tips to improve your wireless network after the reset
According to David Gilbert, product manager for Aircove, there are several ways to optimize your wireless network after a reset. “First, reposition your router in an elevated location,” he says. “Doing so will enhance coverage and eliminate obstructions. Make sure to also update your router’s firmware to the latest build to enhance performance and security features.”
If your router has one, Gilbert also suggests enabling the Quality of Service (QoS) feature, which prioritizes more important traffic — like streaming or gaming — so it can pass first. “You can also optimize device connections by disconnecting devices not in use and ensuring critical devices are connected to the appropriate band,” he says. “You want 2.4 GHz for range and 5 GHz for speed. You can do this by accessing your router’s settings online and looking for sections labeled Connected Devices, Device List or Network Map."
Does a reset revert my router to factory settings?
Resetting a router can revert your router to factory settings, but only with a factory reset — which makes sense. “A factory reset, which is also known as a hard reset, restores the router to its original factory settings,” Gilbert says. “It’s typically done by pressing a reset button on the router for a specified duration, usually around 10 seconds. A factory reset will erase all custom configurations like Wi-Fi network names, passwords and settings.”
A soft reset, which doesn’t sound as scary, will not revert your router to factory settings. Instead, by unplugging your router and plugging it back in, or rebooting your router via its interface, you can resolve minor issues without compromising any of your custom settings.
What’s the difference between “restart,” “reboot” and “reset”?
They’re similar, but not identical. “Restart and reboot are really interchangeable,” Gilbert says. “They both mean turning the router off and then on again. This process refreshes the router’s memory and resolves minor connectivity issues.” Even though the accepted term is “soft reset,” the process is technically a reboot/restart by definition.
“An actual reset — a hard reset — restores the router to its factory settings, erasing all custom configurations,” Gilbert says. “It’s a more drastic measure used to reconfigure the router from scratch.
The AP Buyline roundup
As you can imagine, even the best Wi-Fi routers run into connectivity issues. Knowing how to reset yours — and just as importantly, knowing what each type of reset will do — can prevent and preempt all sorts of frustration. And the good news is, it’s not even that difficult! Most problems can be fixed with a simple soft reset, which will keep all of your router’s settings, passwords and configurations safe. Even if you need to perform a hard reset, restoring all of your information is relatively easy as well.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Does unplugging the router reset it?
No. Remember, the word reset means to revert your router back to square one, as if you’re setting it up for the first time. Because many people use the term “soft reset”, the definition can be confusing. “Unplugging the router does not reset it, it merely restarts it,” Gilbert says. “This process is also called a power cycle, because cutting power to the router helps resolve temporary issues by refreshing the router’s system without changing any settings.”
How do I reboot my internet?
Technically, you don’t control the internet — that would be your service provider. But “rebooting the internet” is what people say when they mean restarting their modem, router or both. “Rebooting your internet typically means restarting your modem and router,” Gilbert confirms. “To do this, you typically disconnect both devices from their power sources and wait for 30 seconds to allow any residual power to dissipate. Then you can plug the modem back in, followed by the router.”
Once your modem is confirmed to be online and operational, you can reconnect the router and it will automatically restart establishing connections with your wireless devices.
Why is my router not connecting to the internet?
Assuming your router isn’t busted, there are plenty of reasons it may be giving you trouble. “Make sure to check and see if your Internet Service Provider is experiencing an outage,” Gilbert says. “Even if your router and modem are working correctly, you won’t be able to get online if the network is down. You can also check for errors in your network configuration, physical obstructions or other electronic devices that may cause signal interference.”
Outdated or corrupted firmware can also impact connectivity, as well as prolonged usage that may cause your router to overheat. Or explode. Seriously. So, take good care of it.
Read more articles:
- How to choose a router: A complete guide to getting fast Wi-Fi
- Best smart home devices to thoroughly optimize your home
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
