Tips

Why You Should Turn Off Your Wi-Fi Once a Month

When our electronic devices act up, we often resort to the age-old trick of restarting them. This is especially true for your Wi-Fi router; even when it seems to be working fine, performing a periodic reboot - once a month - can significantly improve your home network speed.

Administrator

9 September, 2024

With the prevalence of the internet and networking devices in modern times, almost every household now owns a Wi-Fi router. This is extremely convenient as it allows us to access the network, play games, and scroll through Facebook anywhere in the house. However, what most people don’t do is unplug their router once a month. Why is this necessary?

Why should you turn off your Wi-Fi router once a month?

Firstly, Wi-Fi routers have a CPU, memory, and storage functions just like a regular computer. Therefore, they also need to be “rested” and “refreshed” regularly. Besides improving network speed, restarting your Wi-Fi router can sometimes solve other issues. Restarting gives the device time to cool down and rearrange its memory, thus addressing problems such as overheating or overload. That’s why whenever you call your internet service provider for support, the first thing they advise is to restart your router. Regardless of the issue, turning off and then turning on your router can fix some glitches and bring the system back to a normal state.

Secondly, restarting your Wi-Fi router can get rid of malware. Although most router-related issues are simply glitches that can be easily fixed by resetting, there might be a more “serious” problem. For instance, your router could be infected with malware.

In 2018, 500,000 routers from over 50 countries were infiltrated by malware named VPNFilter. This malware mainly targeted routers in small offices and residential homes. Currently, the possibility of Wi-Fi router infection is very low, especially for high-end products. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Regularly restart your home Wi-Fi device to prevent any potential security breaches.

To address this issue, the FBI advised users to turn off their routers, wait for 30 seconds, and then turn them on again. This simple action helps eliminate the malware from the device. It’s important to note that users only need to turn the device off and on, without performing a reset. Resetting returns the router to its original factory settings, which can affect user data such as passwords or login information.

You can turn off your router when you leave the house for work and turn it on again when you return. This way, your Wi-Fi gets a “break” from 9-10 hours every day.

According to Conglyxahoi

Frequently asked questions

Turning off your Wi-Fi router once a month can help improve your network’s performance and security. It gives your router a chance to reset and clear its memory, which can lead to improved speed and stability. Additionally, it can help protect your network from potential security threats as many updates for routers are only installed when they are restarted.

While it may seem inconvenient to turn off your Wi-Fi regularly, the benefits outweigh the temporary disruption. By scheduling a monthly reset, you can choose a time that works best for you and your household. Additionally, with proper planning, you can ensure that important downloads or updates are completed beforehand, minimizing any potential impact.

It is recommended to keep your Wi-Fi turned off for at least 30 seconds to a minute. This brief period allows the router to fully power down and reset, clearing its memory and cache. When you turn it back on, you may notice improved performance and a more stable connection.

Turning off your Wi-Fi once a month can result in several benefits. Firstly, it can improve network speed and performance by clearing the router’s memory and cache. Secondly, it can enhance security by installing pending updates and protecting against potential threats. Regularly resetting your router can also help extend its lifespan and improve its overall stability.

When you turn off your Wi-Fi router, it will temporarily disrupt the internet connection for all devices connected to that network. However, this disruption is brief and by informing household members or scheduling it at a convenient time, any inconvenience can be minimized. It is also a good idea to restart any smart devices or IoT (Internet of Things) gadgets after a Wi-Fi reset to ensure they function properly.