In today’s day and age, every smart appliance – like smartphones, smart TVs, computers, and other gadgets – depends on a stable internet connection to work flawlessly. The router is integral to keeping all your devices connected to the internet. However, you may need to reset your router to troubleshoot network access issues or restore the default settings.
Various manufacturers recommend resetting a router at least once every two months. To reset your router, look for a pin-sized hole on the bottom or back side of the router. Use a paper clip or any long and thin object to press the “Reset” button in the hole and hold it until the router reboots by itself.
People usually prefer to reset a router when they have to switch connections, forget their Wi-Fi password by chance, or troubleshoot internet access issues.
We have written a detailed guide explaining how often you should reset your router. We also discussed easy step-by-step instructions and ways to go through the reset process.
How Often Should You Reset Your Router?
Most manufacturers recommend resetting your Wi-Fi router at least once in a couple of months.
However, you may need to reset your router anytime when you are experiencing technical network issues or want to change the pre-configured settings to the default state.
Rebooting vs. Resetting the Router
You might be wondering about the difference between rebooting and resetting the router. Although both terms sound the same for a newbie, there is a big difference.
Restarting
Sometimes, your Wi-Fi router has signal strength or password recognition issues. In that case, you can restart the router by switching it off, plugging the power cable off from the main wall, waiting for approximately 10 seconds, plugging the power cable back into the main power outlet, and switching on the router.
The restart process is sometimes called a “Power Cycle” that cleans out the device’s cache to keep it running smoothly. Restarting lets the router select the best channel for each frequency, resulting in a stronger connection to your devices. Restarting your router will delete none of your configurations.
Resetting
Resetting helps troubleshoot and fix the router’s complex network issues, deletes all customized settings, and changes the SSID to the default name.
Although each manufacturer defines its way of resetting the router, the process is similar for all the routers available on the market.
Resetting a Router
Now, you clearly understand how often you should reset your router and the difference between restarting and resetting the router. It is time to reveal our 2 step-by-step methods that will help you quickly reset your router as often as you want without seeking professional help.
Method #1: Resetting Router Manually
This method is more traditional and works for most Wi-Fi routers and modem devices. Follow these simple steps to reset your router.
- Ensure that your router is switched on and all the cables are connected.
- Look for a small pinhole labeled “Reset” on the router’s bottom, back, or side panel.
- Take a paper clip and mold its sharp end to make it look like a needle.
- While the router is switched on, insert the paper clip pin inside the “Reset” button.
- Firmly press and hold the pin for 15-30 seconds until the router reboots.
Resetting a router will delete all the configuration settings, passwords, and network SSID names, restoring the router to its factory default state. Therefore, you may have to set a new name and password after completing the reset process.
Method #2: Resetting Router Remotely
You can also reset your router remotely from the admin panel. The steps mentioned below vary with the router manufacturer and model, but the method is almost identical except for some menu names and options.
- Find the IP address of your router.
- Launch a browser on your computer, type the router’s IP address, and hit the Enter key.
- Enter your login credentials on the admin page and sign in.
- Select the “Advanced“, “Management“, or “Administration” option in the left pane.
- Look for the “Reset“, “Factory Reset“, or “Restore Factory Defaults” option and select it.
Wait for the router to initiate and complete the reset process and reconfigure new router settings afterward.
Resetting a Portable Modem Router
With the advancement of technology, things have become portable, and so have the Wi-Fi routers. Now, you can connect with LTE Adapter Wi-Fi dongles which perform as USB-powered modems.
These portable routers work on similar principles as your regular router. But instead of the Ethernet cables, they receive the internet through wireless signals from the carrier.
If you’re facing connection issues or need new configurations, you can reset the portable Wi-Fi modems with the help of the following steps.
- Insert the Adapter Wi-Fi dongle to a USB port on your computer.
- Wait for the dongle to switch on after plugging it in.
- Remove the back cover of your USB Wi-Fi dongle and find the “Reset” button.
- Take a paper clip or a thin long metal object and insert it in the “Reset” hole.
- Hold the “Reset” button by pressing it with the paper clip until the device reboots and reestablishes the connection.
Summary
This guide discusses why and how often you should reset your router to troubleshoot and fix internet access issues or restore the device to factory default settings. We’ve also discussed the process of resetting the router manually or remotely.
In the end, we took a quick look at Wi-Fi dongles and how you can reset them quickly. Hopefully, you are now familiar with the process and can do this task conveniently anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to sleep peacefully at night, then it’s wise to turn off the Wi-Fi router to avoid receiving notifications from the internet. That’s because it is much more convenient than manually disconnecting all the devices connected to the router every night.
