In today’s always-connected world, we rely heavily on our internet routers for everything from streaming movies to running smart homes. Yet, many people overlook one simple trick that can dramatically improve their network performance: rebooting the router. But how often should you actually do it—and why?

The Weekly Reboot Rule

As a general guideline, rebooting your router once a week is a good practice. This routine refreshes your device, clears its temporary memory (RAM), and helps maintain a stable, fast connection. Just like restarting a sluggish smartphone or computer, rebooting a router can help resolve connectivity issues, free up resources, and even fix annoying slowdowns.

What Happens When You Reboot?

When you reboot your router, it:

• Clears background errors or memory leaks that may be affecting performance.

• Re-establishes the connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which can resolve dropped signals or slow speeds.

• Reassigns IP addresses to connected devices, helping to avoid connection conflicts.

• Flushes the DNS cache, which can help with certain loading errors on websites.

In short, it’s like giving your router a mini tune-up.

When Should You Reboot More Often?

While once a week is a safe bet for most households, there are scenarios where more frequent reboots can help:

• You notice regular slowdowns or buffering, especially when streaming or gaming.

• Devices randomly disconnect or can’t connect to the network.

• You’ve experienced a power outage, electrical surge, or your router has been running hot.

• You live in a high-density area, like an apartment building, where signal interference is common.

In these cases, rebooting every few days (or even daily) might improve your network stability.

Automate It with a Smart Plug

If you tend to forget to reboot, consider using a smart plug to schedule automatic power cycling. You can set the plug to turn off and back on in the middle of the night—when no one’s online—ensuring a fresh start every week without lifting a finger.

When Rebooting Isn’t Enough

Rebooting is a helpful maintenance step, but it won’t fix deeper issues like outdated firmware, hardware limitations, or poor router placement. If your router is more than 5 years old, doesn’t support newer Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6), or struggles with multiple devices, it might be time for an upgrade.

Summer Tips: Keep Your Router Cool and Ventilated

One often overlooked factor that can severely impact router performance in the summer is heat. Routers are electronic devices, and like computers or game consoles, they generate and are affected by heat. During hot summer months, routers are more likely to overheat—especially if they’re kept in confined or poorly ventilated spaces.

An overheated router may slow down, drop connections, or shut off altogether to prevent hardware damage. The symptoms can mimic regular internet issues, but the cause may simply be temperature-related.

To avoid this, make sure your router is placed in a cool, shaded area. Avoid putting it in direct sunlight, near windows, or on top of other warm electronics. Never hide it inside cabinets or behind furniture that blocks airflow. Elevating the router off the floor and placing it on a shelf with open space around it can also help dissipate heat.

If you live in a very warm climate, you might even consider using a small USB fan or placing the router in a room with air conditioning. Heat buildup over time can shorten the lifespan of your router, so keeping it cool is more than a summer-only tip—it’s a year-round way to extend your router’s health.

Final Thoughts

Rebooting your router is a small, often overlooked task that can have a big impact on your internet performance. Doing it once a week is usually enough to keep your home network running smoothly. Combined with basic summer care like keeping your router cool and ventilated, you can enjoy a faster, more reliable internet experience all year long.