Start with the simplest fixes first

Most wireless internet problems go away after restarting your router and your device. Before you call your internet provider or buy new equipment, try these three things in order: restart your phone or computer, restart your router, and check whether other devices can connect. If one device cannot connect but others can, the problem is with that device, not your internet. If nothing connects, the problem is your router or your internet service.

Restarting takes two minutes and fixes about half of all wireless problems because it clears out temporary errors that build up over time. Your router is a small box that sits between your modem (the device your internet provider installed) and your devices. The modem connects to the outside world; the router broadcasts the wireless signal inside your home.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your device first, then your router, then check if other devices can connect — this fixes most problems and takes five minutes.
  • If your router has no lights on or the lights are red, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait three minutes for it to fully restart.
  • Move your router to a central, high location away from walls, metal objects, and other electronics — distance and obstacles are the most common causes of weak signal.
  • If your internet provider's modem has a separate power button, make sure it is turned on; if it has no button, unplug it for 30 seconds like the router.
  • Write down your router's name and password before you need them, so you can reconnect devices quickly if something goes wrong.

How to restart your router the right way

Unplug your router from the power outlet. Wait 30 seconds — this is not optional, and waiting 10 seconds does not work. Count to 30 or set a timer. Plug it back in and wait three minutes for all the lights to come back on. During this time, the router is restarting and reconnecting to your internet service. Do not unplug it again or turn it off.

While you wait, restart the device that cannot connect to the internet. On a phone or tablet, turn it completely off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On a computer, use the shutdown option in your menu, not sleep mode. Once both devices have restarted, try to connect to your wireless network again.

If your router has lights on the front, you should see them come back on one by one. The internet light (usually labeled "Internet" or "WAN") should turn solid green or blue. If it stays red or off after three minutes, your internet service itself may be down. Call your internet provider to ask if there is an outage in your area.

Check your router's location and physical setup

Your router broadcasts a wireless signal in all directions, but walls, metal, and distance weaken it. The best location is central and high — on a shelf in the middle of your home rather than in a corner, in a closet, or on the floor. If your router is in a bedroom at one end of the house, devices in other rooms will have weak signal or will drop the connection.

Keep your router away from metal objects, microwave ovens, and other wireless devices like cordless phones. Metal reflects the signal and makes it weaker. Microwaves and cordless phones use the same radio frequency as most routers and can interfere with the connection. If your router is next to a microwave, move it at least six feet away.

Check that all cables are plugged in firmly. The power cable should go into the router and into the wall outlet. The cable from your modem should be plugged into the port on your router labeled "Internet," "WAN," or "Modem" — not into one of the regular ports. If a cable is loose, the connection will drop.

Reconnect your device to the wireless network

"Forgetting" the network and reconnecting tells your device to get a fresh connection instead of using old settings that may have become corrupted. On your phone or computer, go to your wireless network settings. Find your router's network name (it is printed on a sticker on the router itself) and select "Forget" or "Remove." Then search for the network again and reconnect using your router's password (also on the sticker).

If you cannot find your network name in the list, your router may not be broadcasting it. This is rare, but it can happen if someone changed the settings. Restart your router again and wait three minutes. If the network still does not appear, you may need to reset your router to factory settings — this erases all your settings and returns it to the state it came in, so use this only as a last step.

Write down your network name and password somewhere safe once you get connected. If you need to reconnect devices later, you will have them ready. Most routers have this information on a sticker on the bottom or back.

Understand what your router's lights mean

The lights on your router tell you whether it is working. Most routers have lights for power, internet connection, and wireless signal. A solid green or blue light means that part is working. A blinking light means data is moving. A red light or no light means that part has a problem.

If the power light is off, make sure the power cable is plugged in at both ends and that the outlet has power. Plug a lamp into the same outlet to test it. If the internet light is red or off after three minutes, your modem or internet service has a problem — restart your modem the same way you restart your router (unplug for 30 seconds, plug back in, wait three minutes). If the wireless light is off, your router's wireless feature may be turned off. Look for a button or switch labeled "WiFi" or "Wireless" on the router and make sure it is on.

When to contact your internet provider

Contact your internet provider if restarting both your router and modem does not fix the problem, or if your modem's internet light stays red after three minutes. Before you call, have this information ready: your account number (on your bill), the model number of your modem (on a sticker on the modem), and what lights you see on your modem right now.

Tell them what you have already tried: restarting the router, restarting the modem, and checking other devices. This saves time and helps them understand the problem. If they ask you to restart again, they are checking whether the problem is temporary or ongoing. If the problem comes back after a few days, call again — it may be a sign that your modem is failing and needs to be replaced.

Most internet providers replace modems for free if they are faulty. If your modem is very old (more than five years), they may offer to replace it with a newer model. Do not buy a new modem yourself unless your provider tells you to.

Improve weak wireless signal without buying new equipment

If your internet works but the signal is weak in some rooms, try these changes before buying a new router. Move your router to a higher, more central location. Reduce the number of devices connected at the same time — each device uses some of the router's capacity. Close doors between your router and the room with weak signal; open doors let the signal travel farther.

Check whether your neighbors' routers are using the same wireless channel as yours. Your router's settings page (usually accessed by typing 192.168.1.1 into a web browser) shows which channel you are on. If many neighbors are on the same channel, your router may automatically switch to a less crowded one. This is a technical step, so only try it if you are comfortable changing settings in your router's menu.

If weak signal persists after moving your router and reducing interference, your home may be too large for one router. Some internet providers offer mesh systems (multiple small routers that work together) or will recommend one you can buy. These cost more than a single router but cover larger homes more evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my internet work fine sometimes and drop other times?

Intermittent problems are usually caused by interference from other devices, too many things connected at once, or a router that is overheating. Try moving your router away from microwaves and cordless phones, disconnect devices you are not using, and make sure air can flow around the router. If the problem happens at the same time every day, something in your home may be turning on and causing interference.

Should I restart my router regularly?

Restarting once a month or when you notice problems is normal. If you have to restart more than once a week, something is wrong — call your internet provider. Some people set a timer to restart their router once a month as maintenance, but this is not required.

What is the difference between my modem and my router?

Your modem connects to your internet provider's network and brings internet into your home. Your router takes that connection and broadcasts it wirelessly to your devices. Some providers give you a combined device that does both jobs. If you have two separate boxes, the one connected to the wall outlet or cable is your modem; the one you can move around is your router.

Can I move my router to a different room?

Yes, but it must stay connected to your modem with a cable. The cable from your modem to your router can be up to 100 feet long, so you have flexibility. Just keep the router away from metal objects, microwaves, and other electronics. If you move it, you may need to reconnect your devices to the wireless network.

What if I have tried everything and it still does not work?

If restarting, moving your router, and checking your modem do not fix the problem, your router or modem may be faulty. Contact your internet provider — they can run a test on your connection from their end and tell you whether the equipment needs to be replaced. Do not buy new equipment until they confirm the old equipment is the problem.