How-to · Networking
How to reset a WiFi router: restart vs factory reset, step by step
Most Wi-Fi problems need a 30-second restart, not a factory reset. Here is how to do each, what you lose, and how to get back online afterward.
"Reset your router" can mean two very different things. A restart (reboot or power cycle) fixes most slowdowns and dropped connections in a couple of minutes and changes nothing. A factory reset wipes the router back to day one. Here is how to do each, in the right order.
Restart vs factory reset
| Restart (power cycle) | Factory reset | |
|---|---|---|
| How | Unplug for 30 seconds or tap Restart in the app | Hold the reset button with a paperclip |
| Takes | 2 to 5 minutes | 10 to 30 minutes including setup |
| Keeps your settings | Yes | No — everything is erased |
| Fixes | Slow speeds, dropped devices, no internet after an outage | Forgotten admin password, broken configuration, selling or giving away the router |
How to restart a WiFi router and modem
- Unplug the power from the modem (or ONT) and the router. If you have one combined gateway, unplug just that.
- Wait 30 seconds so both fully power down.
- Plug the modem back in first and wait until its online or internet light is solid, usually one to three minutes.
- Plug the router back in and wait another one to two minutes for Wi-Fi to come back.
- Test on a device. If only one device has problems, restart that device too.
How to factory reset a router
- Find the recessed reset button, usually on the back or bottom, labeled Reset.
- With the router powered on, press and hold it with a paperclip or SIM tool.
- Keep holding until the lights blink or change color. Most routers need 5 to 30 seconds; check your model's manual for the exact time.
- Release and wait several minutes while the router restarts with factory settings.
- Set it up again with the brand's app or the default network name and password printed on the label.
How to reset an eero
eero has two reset levels, both using the reset button on the unit after it has been powered on for at least 45 seconds:
- Soft reset: hold for about 7 seconds until the light turns yellow. It clears network configuration but keeps sessions, logs, and advanced settings like IP reservations and port forwarding.
- Hard reset: hold for about 15 seconds until the light flashes red. It erases everything and removes that eero from your network; a flashing blue light means it is ready to set up again.
- Hard resetting the gateway eero (the one connected to the modem) erases your whole network, so reset satellites individually when you can.
After a factory reset: get back online quickly
- Reuse your old Wi-Fi name and password exactly, including capitalization. Phones, TVs, and smart plugs will reconnect without being set up again.
- Change the admin password from the default immediately.
- Update the firmware before anything else.
- Recreate any port forwarding and IP reservations for consoles, cameras, and hubs.
- If you have your own router behind a provider gateway, check that the gateway is still in bridge mode.
How to change your WiFi password
Open your router's app (or its web page, usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, or the address on its label), find Wi-Fi or Wireless settings, and change the password. Use WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode if offered. Every device will need the new password, so do it at a time when you can reconnect the TV and smart home devices.
When a reset doesn't fix it
- Check your provider's outage page or app; if the modem's online light won't go solid, the problem is upstream.
- Plug a laptop directly into the modem with Ethernet. If that's fast, the router or Wi-Fi is the problem; if not, it's the line or the modem.
- If the router is more than five or six years old or no longer gets firmware updates, it may simply be time to replace it.
Questions we get
What is the difference between restarting and resetting a router?
Restarting (rebooting or power cycling) turns the router off and on again and keeps all your settings. A factory reset erases everything — Wi-Fi name, password, port forwards, reserved addresses — and returns the router to its out-of-box state. Always try a restart first.
How do I reset my WiFi router manually?
With the router powered on, press and hold the recessed reset button with a paperclip until the lights blink or change color, then release. That is typically 5 to 30 seconds depending on the brand; check your model's manual. The router restarts with factory settings, and you set it up again from its app or the default login printed on its label.
How often should you restart your WiFi router?
There's no need to restart on a schedule if everything works. Restart when internet slows or devices drop off. Many routers let you schedule an automatic weekly reboot overnight if you prefer.
Can I restart my WiFi router remotely?
Usually, yes. Most router apps (eero, Nighthawk, Asus Router, Deco, Google Home) have a restart button that works away from home, and many provider apps (Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T) can restart their gateways. A smart plug also works for a power cycle, but avoid that if the smart plug's own Wi-Fi runs through the router.
How do I clear the cache on my WiFi router?
Restarting clears the router's memory, its connection tables, and its DNS cache, which is what people usually mean by clearing the cache. There's no separate cache to delete on most home routers. If one website is the problem, clear your browser or device DNS cache instead.
Will I lose anything if I reset my router?
A restart loses nothing. A factory reset erases your Wi-Fi name and password, admin password, port forwarding, reserved IP addresses, parental controls, and guest network, so every device will need to reconnect. Smart home devices that only store one Wi-Fi network may need to be set up again unless you reuse the exact old name and password.