Subscribing to a good internet plan is not the only thing you need to do if you want a good internet speed. A good internet speed is actually something that needs to be maintained. And when we say maintained, we mean that you need to make sure that your equipment is in tip-top shape and condition so that they don’t cause any issues.

One of the most important pieces of equipment is your router. The router is like a mini-system in itself that is responsible for bringing Wi-Fi signals to all your devices. It goes without saying that you can’t connect to the internet without a router. And even if you have a router, you need to ensure it’s updated and working in optimal conditions so your internet connection is not poor. 

One way to keep your router working optimally is by rebooting it every now and then. What does that do? Well, there are multiple reasons that a router reboot tends to solve and we will be looking at those reasons today!

The Router is Low on Memory

One of the most common reasons for a router reboot is having low system memory. Let’s make it simpler. When a router is functioning normally, the processor of the said router will throw everything in a temporary box. This temporary box is the system memory. It holds all the information for some time before emptying itself. However, the router is constantly working and this means that at any time, there could be an overload of information. When this happens, the router stops functioning optimally.

In this case, the router won’t stop working completely, rather it will just slow down your internet connection, no matter if it is a wired or a wireless connection. A router reboot will help the system refresh and clear the system memory to work optimally once again. While rebooting the router is as simple as turning it off and then on, there are plenty of other ways to do that too. 

However, if you have an Xfinity router, for example, you can reboot it another way too and to learn how, simply click here.

IP Address Conflict

Your router makes use of two types of IP addresses in general. The first one is a public IP address assigned to the router by the internet provider. The second one is a private IP address that is not assigned by the internet provider and it is used to assign individual addresses to all your devices that are connected to the internet.

When we say there is an IP address conflict, then it means that two devices were accidentally assigned the same IP address. This problem usually does not occur, however, if it does, you can simply fix it by rebooting the router.

Communication Error

Your modem is the middle party between your internet provider and router and it acts like a translator. The signals coming from the internet provider are fed into the modem, which then translates them and sends them to the router. The router then disperses or distributes these signals to your devices and this is how they stay connected to the internet. Since this is all happening at a fast pace, sometimes there is some communication error, which can cause problems.

To resolve this issue, you will need to reboot the router and possibly even the modem. This will cause your devices to refresh and any remaining miscommunication issues will be resolved.

The Router is Overheating

Since the router is working around the clock without any breaks, it is not unusual for it to get overheated. Excessive overheating causes permanent damage to the equipment and this is why, while you can’t really turn off the router again and again, you should, at the very least, reboot it. Rebooting the router regularly means that it gets a chance to rest and refresh before working again.

Aside from emptying its system memory and preventing threats, the router will also not overheat since it is getting rest. Additionally, you can prevent overheating by moving the router to an open space where it gets better ventilation. 

Reboots Thwart Hackers

Hackers and viruses are always a threat when it comes to electronic devices and the same applies to routers. Since your router is connected to your devices, that means your devices are at stake. To prevent these attacks, rebooting the router is the best and easiest solution. As we mentioned before, rebooting the router would mean new IP addresses for your devices. This is how they will remain safe.

To Come to the Point

Rebooting the router may not solve ALL your problems, but it will solve most of them. And while you could only reboot it when facing issues, it is better to do it regularly to avoid any issues in the first place. Rebooting the router once every 2-3 months could help prevent any of the issues that we have mentioned. Thus, you should make it a point to do it regularly every few months.

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