When Wi-Fi suddenly stops working, restarting your modem and router is a sensible first check. The order matters when you have two separate devices: the modem connects your home to your internet provider, and the router shares that connection with your devices.
This guide walks through a basic restart, explains what to do if your equipment is combined, and shows how to avoid accidentally resetting the device to its factory settings. A restart may help with a temporary connection problem, but it will not fix an area-wide outage or every equipment fault.
Before you begin
Find the modem and router. They may be separate boxes, or your provider may have supplied one device that does both jobs. Check the labels or your provider’s app if you are unsure. If you use a mesh Wi-Fi system, it may include a main router and additional points; the main router is the one to focus on first.
Make sure you can reach the power cords safely. You do not need to unplug the thin cable that brings service into the modem, disconnect Ethernet cables, or press any reset button.
Steps: restart separate modem and router
- Check whether there is an outage. Use your internet provider’s app or website, or contact the provider. If service is down in your area, restarting your equipment may not restore it.
- Check what is affected. Try a second phone, computer, or other connected device. If only one device is offline, restart that device and check its Wi-Fi connection before restarting the whole network.
- Unplug the router’s power. If the modem and router are separate, unplug the router first. Leave its network cables connected.
- Unplug the modem’s power. Disconnect the power cord from the modem. Do not press a button marked “Reset.”
- Wait about 30 seconds. This gives the equipment time to shut down. Google’s guidance for its Wi-Fi equipment also recommends waiting before reconnecting power.
- Reconnect power to the modem only. Wait for it to start and for its connection indicators to settle. This can take several minutes; the exact lights and timing vary by provider and model.
- Reconnect power to the router. Give it time to start and reconnect to the modem. If you have a mesh system, follow its app or manufacturer instructions for any additional points.
- Test the connection. Reconnect a device to Wi-Fi if needed, then open a few websites or apps. If possible, test a second device too.
If you have one combined modem-router
A single box may provide both the modem and Wi-Fi router functions. In that case, unplug that device’s power, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Give it several minutes to reconnect before testing. If your provider’s app or device instructions specify a different restart method, follow those directions.
Restart or factory reset?
A restart turns the equipment off and back on; it is not meant to erase your settings. A factory reset is different: it can remove custom settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password, and may require setup again. Avoid buttons labeled “Reset” unless your provider or device instructions specifically tell you to perform a factory reset.
Use the power cord or the device’s restart option in its official app when available. If you are not sure what a button does, check the model’s instructions before pressing it.
If the internet still does not work
- Check the provider’s service status. An outage or account issue needs attention from your internet provider.
- Look at the modem’s indicators. A warning light or a connection light that never settles may point to a service or equipment issue. Indicator meanings differ by model, so check the device label or manual rather than guessing.
- Try a wired connection if you can. Connecting a computer to the router with an Ethernet cable can help distinguish a Wi-Fi problem from a wider internet connection problem. Not every device has an Ethernet port.
- Contact your provider if the modem cannot connect. Tell them which lights you see, what you have already restarted, and whether the problem affects more than one device. They can check the service connection and advise you about their equipment.
Things to know
Restarting will briefly disconnect everyone using the home network, so let others know before you begin if they are on a call or streaming. You may need to reconnect devices after the network returns, particularly if the Wi-Fi name or password has changed recently.
Keep the modem and router powered and connected as usual after the restart. Repeatedly restarting equipment is not a substitute for diagnosing a problem that returns often; recurring dropouts are worth reporting to your provider.
A restart is a simple check, not a cure-all. By restarting the modem before the router—and avoiding the factory-reset button—you can rule out a temporary glitch without deliberately wiping your network settings.
