Does Restarting the Router (Turning it off and on) Really Help Solve Internet Problems?

The phrase “turn off the router and turn it back on” or simply restarting the router has become a common joke and advice when facing internet connection issues, especially in Egypt. This phrase is used worldwide, but its frequent and unconscious use has turned it into a source of ridicule. In reality, restarting the router can indeed solve many internet problems by disconnecting the router for 10-40 seconds, then reconnecting it to the power source. Let me explain this in detail.

At the outset, restarting any device may help in resolving issues, including routers. Routers are devices with operating systems, processors, storage space, and a motherboard like any other device. Therefore, restarting the router can help in solving router problems in general.

Why should you wait a few seconds before reconnecting the router to the power source?

This is a simple matter as the capacitors on the motherboard may retain some charge, which is enough to keep the router working for a few seconds after being disconnected. Reconnecting the router immediately may not be effective as the device will not be restarted correctly. Waiting for the charge to dissipate completely by disconnecting the router from the power source is necessary before reconnecting it and starting the device anew.

What causes your router to need a restart?

There are issues like overheating of the router, which can cause it to malfunction. Sometimes, the router might need a restart because the internet service providers provide a dynamic IP that changes constantly for each connected device, unlike a static IP. Restarting the router helps in resolving such issues. There are many other reasons why restarting your router might be necessary, but not all internet problems can be solved by simply restarting the router. It could be due to issues with the internet cable, the company, devices in your central location, internet cables, or even a faulty router. However, sometimes the problem may be simple, and restarting the router might be enough to fix it.