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Restarting your internet equipment the right way

Cable, fiber, 5G, Starlink, mesh and business networks each have a right order.

Cable

Unplug the modem and router. Count to 60. Plug the modem in and wait for steady lights (a few minutes), then plug in the router.

Fiber

Unplug the router, then the fiber box's power. Wait a minute. Power the fiber box first, wait for a steady light, then the router. Don't touch or bend the thin fiber cord.

5G home internet

Unplug the gateway for a minute and plug it back in. If it's slow, try a window facing the nearest tower. The app shows signal bars.

Starlink

Reboot from the Starlink app, or unplug the power supply for a minute. The app also flags outages and obstructions.

Mesh WiFi

After the internet equipment is back, restart the main mesh unit, then the others.

Business networks

Outside in: modem or fiber box, firewall or router, switches, then access points. Confirm failover switched over if you have a backup line.

Keep it from happening

  • Battery backup for the modem and router
  • Keep gear out of hot garages and closed cabinets
  • Replace routers older than about five years

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Questions people ask

Should I press the reset button?

No. Unplugging restarts the equipment. The reset button erases your settings.

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