How to reboot your modem

Rebooting your modem is the first thing to try when something's going wrong with your internet connection. It is often the simplest way to improve slow or spotty connections and resolve wireless issues.

Watch the video or read the instructions below to reboot manually, through the app, or using Service Troubleshooter. The modem style in the video may not match your own modem, but the steps are the same no matter what model you have.

Note: "Reboot" simply means to restart, or turn a device OFF and then back ON. We also call this "power cycle."

It's important to note that all devices connected to your modem (or your modem’s wireless network) will lose their internet connection while the modem reboots. If your devices are configured to remember that wireless (WiFi) connection, they will automatically reconnect when the modem has fully restarted. Otherwise, you will need to use device settings to reconnect to WiFi after rebooting.

How to reboot manually

To reboot your modem manually, follow these steps:

Unplug the power cord from the back of the modem. Make sure you have unplugged the correct cord by checking that all the lights on the modem go OFF.
Wait for 1 minute. Be patient and wait the full minute for the best results.
Plug the power cord back in and wait for the power light and internet light to turn green (or the single LED if you have a C4000 model).
You should now be able to get online.

box-style modem showing green connection lights

Green light ring on the C4000 modem shows internet connection

Green power, DSL and internet lights on a tower or box-style modem shows internet connection

How to use the My CenturyLink app to reboot

Did you know you can actually reboot your modem from anywhere with the CenturyLink mobile app?

Download the My CenturyLink app

Once you log in, select My Products at the bottom of the screen. If you have internet service, you'll see a menu of options for internet. Tap on Reboot My Modem. Then, continue following the steps below.

Tap on the Reboot Now button. You can also choose to schedule a reboot for a later time (time zone based on modem's location).

Wait while the app sends the command to reboot your modem.

The reboot is now in progress. Click "OK" on the message dialogue to return to the Reboot My Modem screen.

You'll need to wait for a few mintues while the reboot completes. If you are near your modem, you'll see the lights go off, and then start lighting up again as it boots up. Once the INTERNET light turns green, you know you're back online.

Another way to know when the reboot is done is to watch your phone’s WiFi connection. You will lose your WiFi connection when the modem shuts down. Then, once it boots back up and starts sending out the wireless signal again, your phone will either auto-connect OR you'll be able to see your WiFi network show up in the list of available networks.

Use Service Troubleshooter to check for problems first and then reboot

For a more comprehensive process, you can run the Service Troubleshooter tool to test your internet service for issues, and then reboot your modem from within the tool if you want. This may diagnose outages or other causes of your internet connectivity problems.

1. Start by going to the Service Troubleshooter login screen as shown here, then enter your account or billing phone number as well as your billing zip code. Then click "Run Test."

2. Wait as the test runs. If any problems are found, you will be advised on what to do next. If no known issues are discovered, you'll see the screen below. From here, you can click Internet Problems to go to a specific menu of options related to your internet service.

Service Troubleshooter check for internet problems

3. At this point, you can click on the "Sign in to My CenturyLink" link above the button if you'd like to run an internet diagnostic test. After signing in, click the Run Data Line Test button and wait while the system completes testing. This can take a few minutes.

Service Troubleshooter run data line test

4. Finally, you will be shown several options for automated troubleshooting for your service and for your modem. One of the modem choices is Reboot my modem. You can try this or any of the options shown here to get further help. If you aren't able to resolve your internet problem by rebooting or other self-help tools, you will also be given the option within Service Troubleshooter to chat with an agent for more help or to open a repair ticket.

Modem still not working after rebooting?

You may want to try a full modem reset, which returns the modem to its original (factory default) settings.
Or you can check for firmware updates, as outdated firmware can also cause performance issues.