Unplugging your modem powers down the devices and allows its systems to refresh. Pressing the reset button returns the device to its factory settings, which means the special coding that we input to allow your modem to work on our network gets erased.

Is unplugging my router the same as resetting it?

Rebooting or power cycling your router will clear that out, and that is what the FBI would like you to do. For some people the easiest way to reboot the router is to unplug the power supply, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in again.

What happens when I unplug my router?

No it will not hurt anything, as far as the router goes. It retains its settings and will just boot up when power is reconnected. Anything that requires the router during that time will simply not be able to use it (i.e. any other connected devices).