This returns your modem to its out-of-the-box settings. The button is too small to be pressed using your finger. Wait at least 60 seconds. The directions on this page are for rebooting a modem or router to shut them down and start them back up again without removing any settings or making any changes to the software. On battery-powered routers, remove the battery. Your zip code is unrecognized. Warning: Resetting your router or modem will erase all your custom settings. The power light will turn amber and you will need to. Release the Reset button and wait 30 seconds for the router to fully reset and power back on. When the router and modem restart, test to see if the problem went away. Can't find the answer you're looking for? To reset a router or modem is the short version of a factory reset of the device, which means removing the wireless settings and other configurations. It's always a good idea to try this option before doing a full reset. A straightened-out paperclip is usually the easiest and most effective tool, but … Press and hold the button with a paperclip. The steps to reset a modem may be different depending on which model you have, but the basics are the same. Follow the short process below for the best possible chance of improving the situation. If you have other managed network hardware, such as network switches, unplug that hardware. Either turn off the Power switch or unplug the power cord. The following process is not the same as restarting a router or modem. Plug in the modem. on which model you have, but the basics are the same. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, comics, trivia, reviews, and more. When troubleshooting internet connectivity issues, it can help to reset the connection between the router and modem. The lights on the front (except for the power LED) will blink as the modem goes through its start-up routine. You should see a power connection on the back of each device. Unmanaged devices can be left powered on, but use your judgment if you think these might be part of the problem. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read more than 1 billion times. To perform a soft reset, unplug the cable that connects the router to the modem, then reconnect it after a few seconds. Reset a modem or router by using the Reset button that's usually located on the back or side of the device. It also ensures that the modem loses its connection with your ISP and will have to re-establish it. Hard resets, power cycling, and soft resets are commonly recommended. Try Customer Service, Get detailed instructions on rebooting your modem, Self-install your modem and activate internet. Turn off the power to the router. If you’re in doubt, find your wireless router and see what it’s plugged into. How do I connect my Smart TV to my wireless home network? Your router will boot back up, connect to your modem, and re-establish your Wi-Fi network. The lights on your modem will light up, and it will boot up and reconnect with your ISP. An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. This may be on the back or bottom of the device. Now try connecting to the internet again. How to Reset a Modem . When done correctly, the power light on the modem will start flickering orange/red. Locate the reset button on your modem. RESET button on mid-generation CenturyLink modem. Restart the computer the right way. Most modems have four lights: a power light, a received light, a send light, and an activity light. Press the RESET button in and hold it for 15 seconds. Don't worry, we're here to help. The steps to reset a modem may be different depending He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire. Restarting also fixes problems with network hardware, such as a digital modem (be it cable, DSL, satellite, or fiber) and a router. You may deny us permission by proceeding no further and your denial will have no affect on your current services. When the internet light turns green, you should be able to access the internet. You may want to reset your network router if you can't remember the administrator password, you've forgotten the network wireless security key, or you're troubleshooting connectivity issues. Chris Hoffman is Editor in Chief of How-To Geek. Your cable modem’s configuration is reset to factory default settings. Finally, plug your router back into its power source. If your router doesn’t have a reset button, you Once the router is reset, you may enter the setup screen and change the password to whatever you prefer. will have to reset it using its configuration web interface. This process might take a few minutes. The modem will try to resynchronize with the Cogeco network, which can take up to 2 minutes. It’s like the difference between rebooting your computer and reinstalling Windows (or “resetting,” as it’s called on Windows 10). You’ll lose your Internet connection and Wi-Fi during the restart process, but everything will automatically reconnect in a few minutes. With something small and pointed, like a paperclip, hold down the Reset button for 30 seconds. Open the router console. Open the router console. RELATED: Why Rebooting Your Router Fixes So Many Problems (and Why You Have to Wait 10 Seconds). How do I connect my Android Phone or Tablet to my wireless home network? Note that “resetting” a router is another process. On your modem, locate the power cable. All Rights Reserved. It also gives computers, smartphones, and other devices that use the network time to get new private IP addresses assigned by the DHCP service in the router. Restarting your modem can fix a number of internet connection problems, improve slow connections and resolve wireless issues. Its lights will come on—if they don’t, you might have to press a power switch in your router, but this is rare. How do I connect my Windows PC computer to my wireless home network? Why should I take steps to secure my wireless home network? Wait 3 to 5 minutes. When done correctly, the power light on the modem will start flickering orange/red. You can change your province here. Hard resets do not remove or revert the currently-installed version of router firmware, however. Plug in the router. These might not be two separate devices. Restarting (also known as rebooting) is one of the simplest troubleshooting steps you can take to fix what isn't working properly. Unplug the router and the modem. Why do I need to bypass my router to verify my Internet speeds? © 2020 CenturyLink. The router and modem must be restarted in the right order for the reboot to fix the problem. Use the tip of a pencil, a pen, a paper clip, or some other kind of small object to press and hold the "Reset" button. Not all routers have an antenna, but many do, so if you see one or more of those, that's probably the router. Resetting is also a useful troubleshooting step if you’re having problems, but it’s different than simply rebooting your router or modem. If you turned off the power for switches or other network hardware, power those back on. Waiting ensures the capacitors in your router and modem completely discharge and forget any settings. Wait 10 seconds and reinsert the cable. Select Restart the router and modem when you don't know what's wrong. Check to make sure all the lights on the modem are OFF. Hold the "Reset" button down for 30 seconds and then release it. By inputting your account information and clicking the "Show My Options" button, you provide consent to CenturyLink to access your account information, including the services you subscribe to, to respond to your inquiry and inform you of CenturyLink's products and services. HelloTech Provides Help, Installation, Setup and Repair, How to Reset a Router to Factory Settings, How to Reset Router From Configuration Page, How to Change Your DNS Server on Windows 10 and Mac, How to Change Your Spectrum WiFi Name and Password, How to Set a Static IP Address for a Windows 10 PC, How to Change the WiFi Channel on Your Router. This option might be available in your router’s web interface. You are being redirected to a part of our website that is not adapted to your device. He's written about technology for nearly a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Is your iPhone not connecting to Wi-Fi anymore? Your wireless devices will begin reconnecting to Wi-Fi, although it might take them a few minutes to do so. The modem will try to resynchronize with the Cogeco network, which can take up to 2 minutes. Please enter your service address so we can show you accurate pricing product availability in your area. Your cable modem’s configuration is reset to factory default settings. In the menu, select. A hard reset is the most drastic type of router reset and is commonly used when an administrator has forgotten the password or keys and wants to start over with fresh settings. Your modem is now connected to the Internet. The software on your router and modem will shut down and restart in a fresh state. The Power light will flash red 5 times to indicate the process has started. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. There might also be an “Internet” light that turns green when the connection is established. The software in that device initiates things in the proper order. To reset your cable modem to factory default settings using the Reset button: Power on your cable modem.