Conroe Computer Services – On-Site Tech Services
(936) 280-0919 Call us

How to Properly Restart Your Computer, Router and Modem

A proper restart fixes a surprising number of problems. Here's how to do it the right way, one step at a time.

Sleep isn't off

Many people put their computer to sleep and think it's off. It isn't. Sleep leaves the computer running, just quietly, so whatever was going wrong is still going wrong when you come back.

Signs your computer is asleep, not off:

  • The power light is blinking or still glowing.
  • The computer wakes up when you move the mouse or touch a key.

On Windows, choose Restart, not Shut down. Newer versions of Windows have a feature called Fast Startup. With it, Shut down doesn't fully reset the system, but Restart does.

Part 1: Restart your computer

  1. Save your work and close your programs, if you can.
  2. Restart the normal way.
    • Windows: click Start, then the power icon, then Restart.
    • Mac: open the Apple menu, then choose Restart.
  3. If it won't restart, shut it down. Choose Shut down from the same menu.
  4. If that doesn't turn it off, hold the power button for about 10 seconds, until the computer goes dark and quiet.
  5. If it still won't turn off, remove the power. How you do this depends on your computer:

    Desktop computer

    Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer itself. The monitor isn't the computer: turning off or unplugging the screen doesn't turn off the computer. The computer is the box, usually on or under the desk, that the monitor's cable plugs into.

    All-in-one computer

    On an all-in-one, the computer is built into the screen. Here the screen is the computer, so unplug the power cord from the back of the screen.

    Laptop

    Unplug the charger. If the battery is removable, take it out.

  6. Wait about 30 seconds.
  7. Reconnect the power cord, charger or battery.
  8. Power on with the power button and let the computer start up fully before you open anything.

Part 2: Restart your modem and router

If your internet is down or slow, restart your internet equipment too. Order matters: modem first, then router.

  • The modem is the box your internet provider's cable or line plugs into.
  • The router makes your Wi-Fi. Some homes and offices have one box that does both; if so, restart just that one.
  1. Unplug the power from both the modem and the router.
  2. Wait about 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the modem back in first. Wait for its lights to settle; this can take a few minutes. The light for the internet connection should be steady, not blinking.
  4. Then plug the router back in. Wait for its lights to settle too.
  5. Test the connection on one device, such as opening a website on your phone or computer.

If you restart the router before the modem is ready, the router may not find the internet. If that happens, unplug the router, wait, and plug it back in again.

Still not working?

If a proper restart doesn't fix it, we can help. Call (936) 280-0919, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.

Call (936) 280-0919Send us a message →

Related articles

Call (936) 280-0919