How to Reset Your Router or Wi-Fi Network: Steps & Troubleshooting

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An easy guide to quickly rebooting your network in less than 2 minutes

Co-authored by Stan Kats and Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: August 26, 2024

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Resetting the Router

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Restarting the Network

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Expert Interview

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to reset your home network to its default settings. Resetting your home network may fix any problems that you may have with it. If restarting your router and modem doesn't do the trick, you'll need to reset your router to its factory settings.

Quick Steps to Reset Your Wi-Fi Router

Disconnect your router from your modem, unless they are combined.
Reset your router by pressing the Reset button for 30 seconds.
After your router reboots, plug the modem back in.
Locate the router's stock password and attempt to reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Change your router's password, if you wish, once you're reconnected.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Resetting the Router

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1
Disconnect your router from your modem. To do this, you'll simply remove the Ethernet cable connecting the router and modem from either one of them.
- If your router and modem are part of a combination set, skip this step.
You'll typically find this button, which is quite small, on the back of the router.

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To do so, you may need to insert a paperclip or a similarly thin object into the "Reset" hold and press it firmly against the button.
Your router will begin rebooting.
You should see a consistent light (no flashing), which indicates that the router is back on.
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Plug the router back into the modem. You'll do so by reconnecting the Ethernet cable between the two.
- Again, if your router is part of a combination unit, skip this step.
It will be located on the bottom or back of the router, typically next to a "password" or "network/security key" heading.
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Attempt to reconnect to Wi-Fi on a computer or mobile device. You'll be prompted to enter the router's network key, after which point you will likely have the option of changing the password. After doing this, you should be able to connect to the router like usual.
- If hard-resetting your router doesn't solve your router's problems, you'll need to call the router's customer support hotline for help in diagnosing and fixing the problem.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Restarting the Network

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1
Unplug your modem and router from the Internet and power sources. Your modem should be connected to a cable that in turn connects to your home's Cable outlet; you'll need to disconnect both this cable and the standard power cable.
- In some cases, the Cable outlet will instead be an Ethernet outlet, which is a square port.
- If your modem and router are in the same unit, simply unplug the unit.
This should be ample time for the modem to completely shut down and clear its cache.
It will begin lighting up. You'll want each light on the face of the modem to be on or flashing before you continue.
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Reattach the router. The power light should begin blinking; after a couple of moments, the router's light should change from flashing to a steady display.
- Some routers power lights will not blink and will instead display a different color when you plug them back in.
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Attempt to reconnect to Wi-Fi on a computer or mobile device. If the connection is successful, your home network has been reset.
- If you still can't connect to Wi-Fi, you'll need to perform a factory reset.

Community Q&A

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Question

Where do I find my IP address ?

Community Answer

To find your public IP address, Google "What's my IP" and it will show you. To find your private IP address, go to CMD (on windows), type "ipconfig" and look at the IPv4 address.

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Question

How do I change my SSID?

R2_d2000

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First, log into your router, and then click on the wireless settings. Then, navigate to the SSID field and type in a new name. Keep in mind that there is often a 2.4GHz network and a 5GHz network, so you have to change both of them. Try setting them to the same name, since then your device will choose the best one to connect to.

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Tips

Factory resets should be a last resort, since performing them will remove any custom settings you have, like your network name and password.

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Warnings

If your router, modem, or other devices are too old to properly work with one another, you may have to replace the old equipment with newer versions.

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