Your router is the single most important piece of hardware in your home network, yet most people only think about it when something goes wrong. This guide explains the different types of router reset, when to use each one, and how to fix the most common router problems UK households run into — from forgotten passwords to overheating and firmware bugs.

The three types of router "reset"

It's important to understand that "resetting" a router can mean three quite different things, and using the wrong one can cause more hassle than necessary.

1. Power cycle (soft reset)

Simply turning the router off and on again. This clears temporary glitches, memory leaks, and stuck processes without changing any settings. It's always the first thing to try.

2. Restart via the admin panel

Logging into the router's web interface and choosing a Reboot or Restart option. This achieves the same result as a power cycle but is done in software — useful if you can't physically access the router.

3. Factory reset

Wiping the router back to its out-of-the-box settings, erasing your Wi-Fi name, password, port forwarding rules, and any custom configuration. This should be treated as a last resort, since you'll need to fully reconfigure the router afterwards, including re-entering ISP login credentials in some cases.

Warning: Before performing a factory reset, note down (or photograph) your current Wi-Fi network name, password, and any custom settings such as port forwarding rules, as none of this is recoverable afterwards unless you have it written down.

How to power cycle your router

  1. Unplug the router from the mains socket (don't just switch it off at the router's own power button, if it has one).
  2. Wait a full 30 seconds. This is important — it allows internal capacitors to fully discharge and forces a clean cold boot.
  3. Plug it back in and wait 2–3 minutes for all the status lights to settle into their normal pattern.
  4. Test your internet connection.

If you have a separate modem and router, power cycle the modem first, wait for it to fully sync, then power cycle the router afterwards.

How to factory reset your router

  1. Locate the small recessed Reset button, usually on the back or underside of the router — it needs a pin or paperclip to press.
  2. With the router powered on, press and hold the button for 10–15 seconds until the lights flash or the router reboots on its own.
  3. Wait for the router to fully restart, which can take a few minutes.
  4. The router will now be back to its default Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password, printed on a sticker on the device itself.
  5. Log in to the admin panel using the default address and credentials on the sticker (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, with a default username/password such as admin/admin or blank).
  6. Reconfigure your Wi-Fi name, password, and any other settings you noted down beforehand.
  7. If your ISP required specific login credentials (common with some DSL/PPPoE connections), you'll need to re-enter these — check any setup letter or documentation from your provider, or contact them for the details.

How to log in to your router's admin page

  1. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — commonly 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1.
  2. If you're unsure of the address, open Command Prompt and run ipconfig, then look for Default Gateway — this is your router's address.
  3. Enter the admin username and password. If you've never changed them, check the sticker on the router itself.
  4. Once logged in, you can view connected devices, change Wi-Fi settings, check firmware version, and adjust advanced settings like port forwarding and DNS.

Pro tip: If you've forgotten a custom admin password you set yourself, a factory reset is usually the only way back in — there's no way to recover a lost admin password without one.

Common router problems and how to fix them

Router keeps rebooting on its own

This is often caused by overheating, a failing power supply, or corrupted firmware.

  1. Ensure the router has good airflow — don't tuck it inside a cupboard or stack other electronics on top of it.
  2. Try a different power outlet or, if you have a spare compatible power adapter, test with that.
  3. Update the firmware via the admin panel's Firmware Update or System section.
  4. If reboots continue after a factory reset, the router hardware itself may be failing and need replacing.

Router is very slow or the connection frequently stalls

  1. Check how many devices are connected via the Connected Devices list in the admin panel — an overloaded router struggles with 20+ active devices, especially older or budget models.
  2. Update the firmware, as performance bugs are commonly fixed in updates.
  3. Try changing the Wi-Fi channel manually rather than leaving it on Auto, particularly in flats or terraced houses with many neighbouring networks.
  4. Consider whether the router is old — routers older than 5–6 years may simply lack the processing power for modern usage and multiple 4K streams.

Forgotten Wi-Fi password

  1. If you haven't changed it from default, check the sticker on the router.
  2. If you have changed it and forgotten the new one, log in to the admin panel from a device that's still connected (passwords are often visible or resettable there under Wireless Settings).
  3. As a last resort, factory reset the router and set a new password.

Can't access the router admin page at all

  1. Make sure you're connected to the router's own network (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet), not a different network or mobile data.
  2. Double-check the IP address with ipconfig as described above — some routers use non-standard addresses.
  3. Try a different browser, or open an incognito/private window, in case a saved proxy setting or extension is interfering.
  4. If the page still won't load, power cycle the router and try again once fully booted.

Router runs hot to the touch

Some warmth is completely normal, especially on routers that have been running for weeks without a reboot. However, if it's hot enough to be uncomfortable to touch:

  1. Check ventilation — never place a router in an enclosed cabinet or under other stacked equipment.
  2. Dust the vents gently with a dry cloth or compressed air.
  3. Consider a scheduled reboot: most routers have a Schedule Reboot option in Advanced Settings that restarts the router automatically at, say, 4am each day, which prevents heat and memory build-up over long uptimes.

Some websites load but others don't

This is a strong indicator of a DNS issue rather than a router hardware fault. See our dedicated guide on DNS errors for a full walkthrough, but as a quick fix, try changing your router's DNS servers under WAN Settings or Internet Settings to a public provider such as 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8.

When to replace your router rather than reset it

If you find yourself resetting the router weekly, if it's more than 5–6 years old, or if your ISP has upgraded your broadband speed beyond what the router can handle, replacement is usually more sensible than continued troubleshooting. Most UK ISPs will replace a faulty router free of charge if it's still under contract — it's worth calling to check before buying a new one yourself.

Closing thoughts

A router reset — whether a simple power cycle or a full factory reset — solves the majority of connectivity glitches, but it's worth understanding which type you actually need before reaching for the reset pin. Start with a power cycle, move to a firmware update if problems persist, and only factory reset as a genuine last resort, having first noted down your existing settings. If problems keep recurring even after a full reset, that's usually a sign the hardware itself has reached the end of its useful life.

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