Computer Basics: How to Power Cycle a Device
Power Cycle a Device

How to power cycle a device

If you have a computer in your home, you probably have at least one other device that works alongside it, such as a modem, wireless router, or printer. These devices have a tendency to stop working from time to time, and it's not always immediately clear why.

Before assuming anything is actually broken, you should try to run a power cycle. To do this, you'll want to turn the device off, then turn it back on. This will force it to reset, which can fix a lot of basic problems.

Here are the steps to power cycle just about any device:

  1. Turn off and/or unplug the device.
    2. unplugging the device
  2. Wait at least 30 seconds.
    3. clock countdown timer
  3. Plug in the device and/or turn it back on. That's it—you just power cycled your device! With any luck, it should start working correctly. Keep in mind that if you're resetting an Internet device, such as a modem, it may take a minute or so to reconnect.
    4. turning the device back on
One other thing to note: If you're resetting devices that work together, like a modem and wireless router, you'll want to power cycle them at the same time.

Running a power cycle won't fix more serious problems, but if you have a device that's not working correctly, it's a good thing to try first. If power cycling doesn't seem to help, you'll want to do some more troubleshooting. Check out our lesson on basic troubleshooting techniques to learn how.

FAQs

Why do I have to wait 30 seconds?

Devices contain capacitors that store electrical energy. Waiting 30 seconds ensures these capacitors fully drain, completely clearing the device's temporary memory (RAM) and guaranteeing a completely fresh start when you plug it back in.

Is "Power Cycling" the same as "Rebooting"?

They are similar, but power cycling specifically refers to physically removing the power source (unplugging it) and letting the power drain completely. Rebooting is usually a software command that tells the device to restart itself.

Will power cycling my modem delete my Wi-Fi password?

No. Power cycling (unplugging and replugging) only clears the temporary memory to fix glitches. It does not erase your saved settings, like your Wi-Fi password or network name. That only happens if you press the "Reset" pinhole button on the back of the router.

In what order should I turn on my modem and router?

When you plug them back in, plug in the Modem first. Wait for its lights to stabilize (about 1-2 minutes) so it establishes a connection with your ISP. Then, plug in the Router so it can pick up that fresh internet connection.

Can power cycling fix a slow computer?

Yes! If you leave your computer running for weeks, temporary files and background processes clog up the memory. Turning it completely off and back on clears the memory and often restores the computer's speed.

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