Reboot Anything From Anywhere

Nothing fixes problems as quickly as turning a device off and on again. Edward Munn explains how to reboot your router, PC and phone, wherever you are

- Edward Munn

Reboot your router

Rebooting your router at regular intervals keeps it running smoothly, but if you’re the sort of person who forgets to do this (and we know we are!), you can automate the process so that it happens at the same time every day. Whichever model of router you have, the easiest way to do this is to use a simple timer plug (see below). You can set this to turn the power off for a minute and then switch it back on, forcing your router to reboot. It’s a good idea to buy one with a high power (wattage) rating because you can then run a surge-protected power line from it and reboot your modem, router and any other network devices all at once. A digital power timer should offer the greatest flexibility – some mechanical models only offer settings of 15-minute intervals. For even more control over the process of rebooting your router, including the option to change your schedule while you’re out, try a smart plug such as the TP-Link HS100 (bit.ly/smart417). Bear in mind that these networked devices rely on a connection to your router, so if you set one to switch off the router rather than restart it, you may not be able to switch it back on remotely.

If you have a BT Home Hub, you can reboot your router remotely using the My BT app (bit.ly/mybt417), as well as check your recent bills and the status of broadband in your area. To reset your router using the app, simply open the side menu, swipe up to ‘Restart my Hub’ and press the button to confirm.