How to Power Cycle Your Modem/Router

Power cycling (restarting) your modem is the single most effective way to fix internet connection issues. Here’s how to do it properly.

Why does this work? Your modem is essentially a small computer. Like any computer, it can occasionally get “stuck” or develop errors in its memory. Power cycling clears these errors and forces it to reconnect fresh to the network.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Unplug the Power

Locate the power cable at the back of your modem/router and physically unplug it from either:

  • The back of the modem, OR
  • The power point on the wall

Important: Don’t just turn it off with a button – physically unplug the power cable. This ensures a complete power reset.

Step 2: Wait 30 Seconds

This is important! Waiting allows:

  • The modem’s capacitors to fully discharge
  • Any cached errors to clear from memory
  • The network to register that your modem is offline

Tip: Count to 30 slowly, or use your phone’s timer. Rushing this step makes the power cycle less effective.

Step 3: Plug It Back In

Reconnect the power cable and wait for the modem to fully boot up. This typically takes 2-3 minutes.

You’ll see the lights go through a sequence as it:

  1. Powers on (power light comes on)
  2. Initialises hardware (lights may flash)
  3. Connects to the NBN network (internet light starts flashing)
  4. Establishes connection (internet light goes solid)
  5. Enables WiFi (WiFi light comes on)

Step 4: Test Your Connection

Once the lights have stabilised (usually solid, not flashing), try connecting:

  • Open a web browser and visit a website
  • If you’re still having issues, try a speed test

If You Have Separate NBN Equipment

Some NBN connections have separate NBN equipment (like an NBN Connection Box for FTTP or NBN Connection Device for HFC) in addition to your modem/router. Here’s how to power cycle both:

Turn Off (In This Order)

  1. Unplug your modem/router first
  2. Then unplug the NBN equipment
  3. Wait 30 seconds

Turn On (In This Order)

  1. Plug in the NBN equipment first
  2. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully boot
  3. Then plug in your modem/router
  4. Wait another 2-3 minutes

When Should You Power Cycle?

Power cycling can help with:

  • No internet connection – First thing to try
  • Slow speeds – Can clear network congestion
  • Intermittent dropouts – Resets the connection
  • WiFi issues – Can resolve wireless problems
  • After a power outage – Equipment may not have restarted properly

Pro tip: If you experience regular issues, try power cycling your modem once a week as preventive maintenance. Some people even put their modem on a timer to restart automatically during the night.

Still Having Issues?

If power cycling doesn’t fix your problem, check out these other resources: