The importance of router care
Treating your wireless router as the computing workhorse it is may help you understand the importance of maintaining it to keep your WiFi running as smoothly as possible. Like any computer, routers can get flaky or buggy if they are left on for too long, if they overheat, or if the operating system or firmware gets out of date. To keep your router healthy, it’s important to:
- Keep your router’s firmware updated
- Replace your router every 3-5 years
- Place your router in an area that is away from heat sources and has decent circulation to prevent overheating
- Reboot your router regularly
How often should you reboot your router
We’re used to rebooting our phones and computers. When those devices are not working right, what’s the first thing you do? That’s right — restart it. You should do the same with your router to give it the opportunity to reset and start fresh. Depending on the age and health of your router, a reboot should be done anywhere from monthly to daily.
This is sometimes called a “power-cycle.” Rebooting your router cleans out the device’s short-term memory (also called “cache”) to keep it running more smoothly. It also allows the router to re-select the least crowded channel for each frequency, which means a stronger connection to your devices.
How to reboot your router on a schedule
No matter what kind of router you have, it can benefit your WiFi performance to set up a regularly recurring reboot. With newer units, you may only need to reboot it monthly, or whenever it gets bogged down or performance is spotty. For dated routers or ones that seem to be suffering from a system problem, consider rebooting weekly or even daily.
Option 1: Reboot manually
To manually reboot your router, unplug it (you can remove the power cord from the wall outlet OR from the power port on the back of the router). Wait one minute, and plug it back in. After plugging the router back in, it will usually take another minute or two to reconnect to the network and get fully booted up and ready to go.
Whatever style of modem/router you have, you can do a manual reboot by unplugging the power cable (typically black) from the power port on the back of the router. Shown below are two of CenturyLink’s most popular modems, the Greenwave C4000LG(left) and the Actiontec C3000A(right).
To do this on a regular basis, simply set an alarm or put it in your calendar to do it every two weeks, every month, or whatever interval works. The manual reboot method works just fine and is manageable as long as you’re not having to do it all the time. One perk of doing it this way is that it might motivate you to move your router to a more central spot and out in the open for easy access, which also tends to boost WiFi performance.
Option 2: Use your modem’s companion app
In the case of a CenturyLink router, once you get connected to the My CenturyLink app, you can use the app to reboot your modem from the other side of the house or even the other side of the country, if needed. You can also schedule it to reboot at a future time. To do this on a recurring basis, you can perform the initial reboot from the app and schedule the next one as soon as it’s finished. Each time it reboots, schedule the next one so you don’t forget.
Option 3: Use an outlet timer
A simple plug timer is another way to reboot your router on a schedule. Older, nondigital timers, like the kind used for Christmas lights, tend to have a lower wattage rating. If you only need to manage the router, however, then a lower-wattage option could work just fine. Just make sure you get the grounded kind with a 3-prong plug for maximum safety.
Most plug timers these days are digital and come in the range of 850 to 1800 watts, or enough to handle a major appliance. This is more than you need for a single internet router, but has the benefit of allowing you to plug in a whole power strip so you can reboot your router, smart home hub, and more, all at the same time.
Option 4: Use a smart plug
A smart plug that connects to your wireless network will give you the ultimate flexibility and convenience. These often come with a remote control and/or a paired smartphone app, so you can activate the plug from anywhere in the house and set it up on a custom schedule — biweekly, weekly, every three days, or whatever you find works best for you. And with an app, you can easily modify the schedule if something comes up. Plan to be doing a late-night binge-watching party when your router is normally set to reboot? With a companion app, you can typically just skip or reschedule that occurrence.
What’s next?
If you’re having frequent issues with your WiFi network dropping or giving inconsistent coverage, rebooting your router regularly should help. If, however, you restart your router regularly and are still having problems, or if you get to a point where you’re restarting it multiple times every day — well, then it’s time to consider other solutions. Deeper problems (like faulty hardware or firmware, or a router that can’t keep up with current internet technology) won’t be fixed by turning it off and back on.
The next thing to try is a full reset to see if returning your router to its out-of-the-box settings will help it perform better. You may also consider using one or more WiFi range extenders, if the issue seems to be that your wireless signal is weaker in areas of your home that are farther away from the router.
Otherwise, it might be time to upgrade your router. Like your smartphone and other workhorse devices, this is one that needs to be replaced as technology ages and evolves. So it’s a good idea to think about upgrading every three to five years, or if you’re having consistent WiFi problems and your modem/router is more than a few years old. A new router can make a huge difference in your internet speed and performance, so if you’ve tried everything else, consider updating to a newer model.
How can you tell how old your router is? I have been having problems, maybe this is it.
I need a new router or modem.
My WiFi is currently not working.
What is a UTL?
I have set up administrative access in my century software but do not understand some of the setting and features do you have a source file explaining them so i can be sure they are optimized? My brand new century router is crashing weekly, particularly during high downloads due to multiple application automatic updates. One large update to one device brings the system to it’s knees. I can see this when i view the device activity on you advanced software, which is quite useful for troubleshooting. Ps. I have a technical background.
Wifi connection drops when I use it…over and over. I thought I had reset router but maybe not correctly. Router is very old. Probably close to 15 years.
Have unplugged router for one minute to reboot but internet or DSL light not on.
Have had problems before & rebooting would fix problem. Do I need new router?
I in the past I have been told that a remote reboot of the modem would not solve my issue. It was necessary for it to be unplugged and then plugged back in. Kinda hard to do when you are in AZ but the modem is back in MN. Has this difference been solved?
If you have to do frequent reboots, like once per week, then something is wrong with the gateway device and/or provider line. For healthy systems, a software reboot once per month is sufficient for refreshing the cache and clearing most data bugs. A hardware reboot should be reserved for bigger issues, like a firmware update, factory reset, hardware error or device is becoming defective. The more you have to do it, the more you know something is wrong. – Retired I.T.
Within the last month I seem to be having connection issues with my wifi. I have a Centurylink model C1100Z. It’s a ZyXEL. I rebooted it a couple of weeks ago, but I’m still having disconnect problems. Additionally, my iphone says the WPA2 security is considered weak. Should I just reboot more often? Do I need a new router? If I need a new router, will there be a cost to replace this one, and if so, how much?
Over the last several day some very strange things have been happening. First, when I am typing like on Facebook, the typing suddenly freezes, then skips spaces, then types anywhere from 2 to 5 of the same letter. I try to back space and clean up the silly typing but it won’t let me. I have no idea what causes this but it is horrible. I just completed 4 speed tests. The first test showed 2.3 download and 0.5 upload. The second and third test showed 3.0 download and 0.4 upload. I tried once again and its appears I caught what I was hoping to see. The fourth test showed a 1.3 download and a 0.4 upload. It appears to be at this really low internet download point that my internet goes off line. Usually within a minute a message says I am back on line. This behavior goes on all day long. Is this a small fix on your end or do I need to reboot or even reset? Thanks for the help. Linda
Hey Linda,
Any issues with your keyboard are not related to your internet service. It sounds like your keys may be sticking, so you may try cleaning your keyboard and see if that helps.
You can definitely try rebooting your router, or for more troubleshooting, please check out this article: https://discover.centurylink.com/why-does-my-wifi-keep-disconnecting.html
Having problem with WiFi service. Freezing, skipping during use. My router is quite old. ZyXEL model no. PK5001Z. I may need new one. Please advise.
Hey Dot, please reach out via chat https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/contact.html#chat to get your modem replaced. Thanks!
If your keyboard is wireless, replace the battery.
how can you check routers Firmware??
Yes I notice my laptop was slowing down a little bit I did not realize that I would even had to replace it so now that I have found out that my laptop would work a lot better if I reboot it a lot more I would like to thank Centurylink for the imfomation
Hey Terry, please check out this article to learn about your firmware. Thanks! https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/internet/modems-and-routers/utilities/update-modem-firmware.html
Ancient ZTE router here (made in 2011 to be exact). Restarting it every day. works well after restart. Thanks for your article, now I know I am doing it right. Cheers from Ukraine!
WiFi gets disrupted when phone rings. CenturyLink router is brand new. Rebooting doesn’t help.
I am paying for 80Mb and only showing 5-10. This is not working well with streaming. Upload is faster.
My router model C4000LG is powered through a power strip controlled with an on/off switch. Does switching off my power strip perform the same function as physically unplugging it from the actual wall outlet or power strip?
Is it a good idea to change the password on the router or can you change the password on the router ? My roommate has given out the password on my router to a lot of different people.
I upgraded to (purchased) the C4000LG Modem/Router and 100 mbps service a few months ago, and I am satisfied. My vehicle can now update itself because the Wi-Fi signal is much stronger, and my coverage is much better than it was. Power cycling the modem/router once a month is probably a good idea…I should do that. Believe me, if your modem/router is five years old, you really should upgrade if at all possible. It’ll be like Christmas!!!
There are two reasons to upgrade your aging router.
1: Your router is usually left on all the time and components do age. Routers can produce quite a lot of heat for their size which can cause components to operate incorrectly the older they get. Make sure your router is well ventilated and is not wearing a hairy jacket of dust.
2: Technology is constantly changing. Routers are more efficient from year to year. Along with improvements in signal strength and speeds, network security is improved. WiFi is transmitted beyond the boundaries of you home, so a secure network helps to keep intrusions away and your internet bandwidth free for your own use.
Thank you very much for sharing information with the public, It sure does help me a lot, I plan to replace my old MODEM and my old ROUTER this week, they are very old
( ha ha) .
I setup security cams at my house, and my condo in a different state, but soon realized that if a router lost the internet, not only was the security system useless, but there is also no way to communicate with smart switches or outlets to be able to reboot it. I ultimately added a traditional (non-smart) plug-in timer outlet one each router, and programmed them to turn off around 3am and back on 2 minutes later. This way if a reboot is required, the router will only be out until the next nightly reset. You could easily program multiple resets a day if a shorter max downtime is desired, as reseting doesn’t seem to hurt the router at all.
I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for posting. “‘I have done my best.’ That is about all the philosophy of living one needs.” by Lin Yutang.
Thanks for the info. I didn’t know you had to do this. Luckily I haven’t had any problems. I only have a I-Pad and I-Phone. If there more that I should be doing, let me know. Thank you, Dotty
I found this very informative. My question is – can I restart my router after I’ve completed using my computer? I don’t worry about the age of my router at this time because it was installed a year ago.
Also I have re-booted my computer from time to time but it also affected my streaming devices like Fire Stick TV and You Tube TV. Should restarting my router not be doing this. Thank you!
I don’t understand how a smart plug would work. Once you turn off the smart plug, the router will lose power and you will be unable to command the smart plug to turn back on.
Am I missing something here?
Does century link provide a new router? Pretty sure mine is close to ancient, we always unplugging, letting it sit, and starting over. Kind of annoying, considering what I pay. Was actually considering going to another company, but I think they’re pretty much all the same.
Re: Donald Branson
There are two passwords relating to your home internet service: one is for the modem connection that provides internet service to your home; the other (there could be more than one, depending on your router) is for the wireless or Wi-Fi access to devices that use said internet connection. It is probably the Wi-Fi password that your roommate has shared with others. If you are concerned that the Wi-Fi password has been shared too widely then it’s a good idea to change it. You can also change the name of your wireless network as well as additional measures to keep your Wi-Fi from freeloaders. All settings are controlled though the router’s software.
If the roommate did share access info to your modem then you absolutely want to update with a new administrator ID and password. There is no reason whatsoever to share with anybody except for a trusted tech support person.
How about wired modems? I do not have WiFi because it is unhealthy for me. My router IS old and I will begin restarting it…Not sure I can replace because everything is all WiFi now…
Thanks for the article.
Hi Dorothy,
Taking care of your router is always a great idea! You can read this article to learn more about the difference between a router and a modem: https://discover.centurylink.com/the-difference-between-a-modem-router-gateway.html
Thanks!
Hi Alice,
Great question! Check out this article to learn more about replacing your router: https://discover.centurylink.com/tips-for-replacing-a-router.html
Thanks!
Hi Ken,
Great question! For more about smart plugs, check out our article here: https://discover.centurylink.com/what-are-smart-plugs.html
Thanks!
My smart tvs “buffer” frequently. I us Amazon fire sticks. Will restarting the centurylink router help eliminate this problem (it is only a year old)?
A lot of this terminology is “over my head” as I am way older than my router.
Hi Mary,
If you’re having frequent issues with your WiFi network dropping or giving inconsistent coverage, rebooting your router regularly should help. The next thing to try is a full reset to see if returning your router to its out-of-the-box settings will help it perform better. Otherwise, it might be time to upgrade your router.
How do you know how old your router is?
No complaints.Thanks CenturyLink.
Article was very helpful. How can I find out the age of my router-modem? Also, a note on my I pad states “weak signal and insecure signal.
Can I get somebody out to take a look?