Power cycling is not always effective, but it can fix various issues associated with your router. It is a common troubleshooting method that you can apply to all router models. You can power cycle your router within a very simple step, as mentioned below. However, you need not necessarily take this step for all router issues.
As we shall see, power cycling might fail to provide a long-term solution to certain problems. So, you must know when to apply this method and what the alternatives are to it.
Read more about how to power cycle a router if you have never tried it.
What is Power Cycling & How does it Work?
Power cycling simply means draining out all the power from a device for some time. You usually would not need to power cycle your router for more than a few minutes. Also, you must not confuse power cycling with a simple reboot, even though they are quite similar.
The main difference between rooting and power cycling is that rebooting does not require you to disconnect the router from the socket. On the other hand, you must unplug the router to power cycle it.
Here are the steps to power cycle any router model regardless of the brand:
1. Unplug the Router and Modem
Are your router and modem separate? Then, you must disconnect both of them from their power sources. Otherwise, you would fail to power cycle your router and fix the problem properly. In the case of a built-in modem, you must simply unplug the router from the socket.
2. Wait for a minute
People might offer you different suggestions regarding the time that it takes to power cycle. After all, you can wait for as long as you want. However, you must wait for at least 30 seconds before plugging the router and modem back in. If you prefer to wait longer, you need not exceed the time to more than a minute.
3. Plug in the Router and Modem and Turn them On
Plug the router and modem back into the socket once you are ready and switch them on. Routers usually let you know when they are ready with the help of indicator lights. So, keep an eye on the internet connection indicator to know when you can access the internet.
Connect your device to the router if disconnected, and try to access the internet. Do you find the issues you were facing earlier has resolved? If yes, then the power cycling has been quite effective in your case. Otherwise, you would have to find other solutions for your router problems.
How & When does Power Cycling Your Router Help?
Power cycling gets rid of the temporary cache in your router’s system and fixes various issues that they can generate. It can help you get a quick solution if you cannot connect to your Wi-Fi or access the internet.
Power cycling your router can often resolve the following issues, among others:
1. Slow/No Internet
Has your Wi-Fi been underperforming while browsing the internet? You must make sure that your device is within its range. Using a different device or reconnecting to the Wi-Fi might also do the trick. You must try power cycling your router if these solutions are ineffective. Getting rid of your router’s temporary cache can significantly improve internet performance.
You must check for a service outage if you cannot access the internet. Power cycling the router might offer an effective solution if you find no such issues. Make sure you can access the internet with your Wi-Fi after this step.
2. Cannot Connect to Wi-Fi
The failure to connect to your Wi-Fi might sometimes indicate an error in the router. Power cycling might offer you an immediate solution in such situations. So, you must try that out before moving on to other viable solutions. This can help you save quite a lot of time in many cases.
3. Security Threats
Your Wi-Fi network can often become a target for hackers, as you know. Also, your router probably has several vulnerabilities that you must address. However, you need not necessarily implement a complex process to fix that in all cases. A simple power cycling once in a while can help you maintain your router’s security.
What if Power Cycling does not Fix Your Router Issues?
There are many alternatives in case power cycling proves to be ineffective. Also, you must keep in mind that the problem might not always necessarily lie within your router. Implement the following steps if your router problems persist after power cycling:
1. Reboot Your Device
The Wi-Fi or internet connection issues might have something to do with the device you are using. In that case, you must try restarting your device for a quick solution. You might find the issue fixed after taking this step. However, you might need to apply a more long-lasting solution later on.
2. Fix Connection Problems
Are you using an ethernet connection with your router? If yes, then you must make sure that the cable is inserted properly at both ends. Try using a different cable or switching to Wi-Fi if that does not work. You might not need to power cycle your router after applying this solution.
3. Upgrade the Router Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause many performance issues on your router. So, you must log into your router and check for any recurring firmware issues. Installing the latest firmware version can offer you a more long-term solution than power cycling. Now, that makes it a much better solution than a power cycle in many cases.
Replace the Faulty Router
Does your router make you power cycle it too often? It might be time for you to get a new router, especially if the existing one is quite old. Outdated router models stop getting firmware updates after a certain point in time. So, you might have to buy a new one to maintain an optimal Wi-Fi experience.
