Why You Need to Reset Your Router Once a Month
When was the last time you reset your router? If it's been longer than a month, your internet might be lagging, slowing down your devices and connections to the internet in general. If you're experiencing slow speeds and frustrating disconnections, resetting your router once a month can help maintain speed and stability in your home or office network by removing any activity that has built up over time. Plus, many newer routers come with automated monthly maintenance so you don't even have to think about it!
How Does Router Resetting Help?
So can you still recall when you last power-cycled your router? If it's been a while, you might not even remember when it was. Regardless, it might be time for you to give your router an internet speed boost. After time, our routers will start accumulating junk data and settings on their hard drives.
Not only does it make the internet slower, but it may cause malfunctions. That's why we recommend resetting your router once a month. It's easy, fast, and could improve your speed by as much as 50%.
Steps To Take
Resetting your router is similar to restarting your computer. When you restart your device, it clears out any temporary files that are sitting in memory and hogging resources. This practice can help ensure that you're getting optimum speeds for various online activities—and resetting your router once a month can do just that.
There are two ways to reset your router: manually and automatically. Manual resets are relatively easy and safe, though they do require some time on your part. Automatic resets, on the other hand, are a bit more hands-off but also require additional hardware.
Troubleshooting Might Also Do Wonders
While using a router reset often fixes connectivity issues with little effort required, it may be worthwhile to troubleshoot further. Most routers come with built-in diagnostic tools that give you an idea of what might be causing problems with your internet connection before performing a reset. Many modern routers allow users to log into their devices through web browsers and view signal strength information or network traffic loads at different times of day.
If you suspect interference from other wireless networks, try testing your router during off hours when fewer people are home. If there's still no improvement after checking these things, it's probably time to perform a reset.
Good Security Practices Are Important
Before you click that button, it's worth knowing that rebooting your router will only make your network more secure if you're using good security practices. If you're not, resetting it won't do much to change your situation. Whether or not you have security measures in place, there are also other considerations when deciding whether or not to reboot your router.
For example, you may want to wait until everyone is asleep before performing a reset so as not to interrupt anyone's sleep. And if you have a business and lots of employees accessing your Wi-Fi at once, they might all need time to log back into their devices after restarting their routers. In these cases, waiting until later at night or during non-peak hours might be best for everyone involved.