As cliché as it may sound, but a lot of issues on devices can be fixed by simply turning them off and then on again. The main reason behind this is because a reboot resets the device and gives it a breath of fresh air which in most situations is much needed. But unfortunately, most users think it’s as easy as pressing a button. Sometimes there are a number of steps that need to be followed to make sure that the device isn’t damaged. Some devices like computers need to have work saved and properly closed before rebooting. But devices such as routers are much more different, especially since there are three different terminologies that need to be taken into account; restarting, rebooting and resetting.
Restart and reboot almost mean the same thing that is to turn the device off and then back on. Like most devices have a restart button on them but reboot basically means the same. Reset however means something else and needs to be differentiated from the other two terms. In routers, reset is usually a pinhole at the back of the panel that wipes out all your saved settings and resets the router to default. It removes the security key, your SSID, and can temporarily keep you offline. Use a small pointy pin or paper clip to hold down the button for 30 seconds. Make sure the router is powered on. Keep in mind that resetting should be lost resort. It will remove any saved settings that you have stored and will factory reset everything to the way the router was when you bought it. This is also known as a hard reset. Most users do this in case they’ve forgotten their password or login information. But this does not revert the currently installed firmware.
To do a normal reboot for your router, make sure to unplug your router from the power outlet rather than just turning it off. Wait for 15 to 20 seconds before plugging it back in. Usually this fixes any internet connection issues you may be facing. This is also known as power recycling and does not remove any saved settings or passwords. You can also soft reset the router which is usually removing the physical connection and is usually done instantaneously. You can unplug the cable connecting the router to the modem and then reconnecting it.
Keep in mind, these methods vary from router to router. Some brands have a menu option such as Restore Factory Defaults or something similar. This will replace the router’s customized settings with the original ones. If your issue still hasn’t resolved, try trouble shooting the issue from the device which will automatically lay out options that may be potential problems. The troubleshooting will also try to resolve the problem if it’s in the device itself. Otherwise contact your ISP to make sure that the issue isn’t from back end and an issue with the internet.
Leave a Reply