When the internet stops working or slows to a crawl, the first thing most people try is restarting the router. That instinct is correct. A proper restart fixes the majority of everyday connectivity issues. But there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Why restarting works
Your router is a small computer. It runs software, manages connections and handles traffic for every device in your office. Over time, it can slow down, run into memory issues or lose track of connections. A restart clears all of that and lets it start fresh.
It also forces the router to reconnect to your internet provider, which can resolve issues caused by a dropped or degraded connection on their end.
How to restart properly
Do not just unplug it and plug it back in immediately. That does not give the hardware time to fully reset.
Step one. Unplug the power cable from the back of the router. If you have a separate fibre box, sometimes called an ONT, unplug that too.
Step two. Wait 30 seconds. This gives the hardware time to fully power down and clear its memory.
Step three. Plug the fibre box or ONT back in first and wait for its lights to stabilise. This usually takes about a minute.
Step four. Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully start up. The lights will blink for a minute or two while it reconnects. Wait until the internet light is solid or stops blinking before testing your connection.
Step five. Try loading a website on your computer or phone. If the connection is back, you are done.
If the restart does not fix it
If your internet is still not working after a proper restart, there are a few things to check.
Is it just one device or all devices? If only one computer is affected, the problem is with that device, not the router. Try restarting the computer, forgetting and reconnecting to the Wi-Fi network, or plugging in with an ethernet cable to test.
Are the router lights normal? Most routers have an internet or WAN light. If it is red, off or blinking in an unusual pattern, the issue is likely with your internet provider rather than your equipment. Check your provider's status page or app for outage reports in your area.
Is it slow rather than completely down? If pages are loading but very slowly, it could be that too many devices are using the connection at once, or there is a problem with your line speed. Running a speed test at fast.com can help confirm whether you are getting the speed you are paying for.
Has anything changed recently? A new device, a firmware update or a change to the router settings can sometimes cause issues. If you or someone else recently changed something, that is worth investigating.
Prevent problems before they start
Routers that run for months without a restart tend to develop performance issues. A scheduled restart once a week, either manually or using a timer plug, keeps things running smoothly.
If your office internet is critical to your business, having a backup connection such as a mobile data failover is worth considering. When your fibre goes down, a 4G or 5G backup can keep your team online until the main connection is restored.
When to get help
If restarting does not fix the problem, if your internet drops frequently, or if your speeds are consistently below what you are paying for, the issue needs proper investigation. It could be a faulty router, a line problem, an overloaded network or equipment that is not configured correctly.
Recloud manages office networks for businesses across Cape Town. If connectivity issues are disrupting your team's work, we can diagnose the problem, fix it and set things up so it does not keep happening.