the right number of times you should be rebooting your router

There are several myths surrounding the practice of rebooting routers. Some people believe that frequent rebooting can damage the device, while others think it’s completely unnecessary if the router appears to be working fine. However, these misconceptions often lead to either over-rebooting or neglecting the practice altogether. Understanding the actual benefits and limitations of router reboots can help in forming a balanced approach to maintaining your network hardware.

The optimal frequency for rebooting your router largely depends on the specific circumstances of your network usage. For most households, rebooting your router once every month is generally sufficient to maintain its performance. High-usage environments or those with multiple connected devices might benefit from a reboot every two weeks. Conversely, if you experience frequent connectivity issues or sluggish network performance, a more frequent reboot schedule might be warranted.

There are various signs that can indicate it’s time to reboot your router. These include noticeably slower internet speeds, frequent disconnections, difficulty in connecting new devices, or performance issues while streaming or gaming. If your router starts to overheat or if you notice that the lights on the router are behaving unusually (e.g., blinking more than usual or showing unusual color patterns), these could also be signs indicating the need for a reboot.

Rebooting your router is a straightforward process, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid potential issues. First, unplug the router from the power source. Wait for about 30 seconds to a minute to ensure that the device has completely powered down. Then, plug the router back in and allow it a few minutes to restart and reconnect to your ISP. During this process, it’s also advisable to check for and install any firmware updates that might be available for your router model, as these can help improve performance and security.