It’s second nature at this point, but why does it actually work?
And is there some magic to the ten second number?
And the even bigger question: is there some way you’re able to stop doing this?
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Routers can feel mysterious, but they’re not.
And if you know what’s going wrong, it’s possible for you to usually solve the problem.
Inside that plastic box is a CPU, memory, and local storage, all running an operating system.
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And like a computer, things can go wrong from time to time.
What’s the simplest fix for these sorts of computer problems?
Turning it on and off again.
Related:Why Does Rebooting a Computer Fix So Many Problems?
Your router is the same:every reason rebooting a computer can solve problemsapplies.
Sure, this doesn’t fix systematic problems, but it generally solves things in the short term.
Do You Really Need to Wait 10 Seconds?
That answers why unplugging helps, but why do you should probably unplug for 10 or 30 seconds?
There’s a reason that happens, and it’s connected to our answer here.
Most electronics make liberal use of capacitors, which are basically tiny batteries.
You’ve seen these before if you’ve ever taken apart a computer or gadget.
Waiting 10 seconds ensures that every capacitor is fully drained, and thus every bit of memory is cleared.
As we’ve established, there are multiple reasons your router might need to be reset.
What Causes Routers to Crash?
Here are a few potential reasons:
There are more potential reasons, but these are the most common.
And there are a few relatively simple solutions for them.
The same goes for your router: it needs updates too.
Give it a shot.
And, if your router is no longer getting updates, you should considerreplacing it with a new router.
If it feels hot when you unplug, consider trying to solve for heat.
Your router likely has vents; ensure that they aren’tcovered up, just like you do for your rig.
If your router is full of dust, consider cleaning it out with some compressed air.
Just like a computer that won’t stop having problems, sometimes it’s just time to move on.
And you won’t need to do the unplug-wait-replug ritual anymore.
