How long does it take for an AT&T router to reset?

Posted on: 10 Aug 2024
How long does it take for an AT&T router to reset?

Performing a reset on your router is a good way to fix connectivity problems and even correct other related issues for AT&T. However, how long should it take for the reset process to complete or who determines the time to complete the reset process? In this blog, we will discuss the process of how to reset your AT&T Internet router, the available methods, and how long it will take.

Why Would I Need to Reset My AT&T Router
There are a few reasons why you may want or need to reset your AT&T router

  • Wireless connectivity issue is present and you are struggling to resolve it while trying other issues. Another way is to restore the router to default settings, this will prevent any configuration issues from causing the problems.
  • You need to reset the admin password or modify the Wi-Fi network name and password. A reset will enable you to start all over again and set new credentials.
  • Your home is on the market and you wish to reset the router to restore it to factory settings for new homeowners.
  • You have very low speeds/connectivity that are not just random blips or fluctuations of speed but very slow speeds that stay like that on multiple devices. It might be helpful to return your router to its default settings.

To do this, you have to reset the router, which in a way entails beginning all over with the hardware. However, as a reminder, all your custom settings are deleted as you go through with it and there is no going back.

The Two Reset Methods

There are two main ways to reset an AT&T router

1. Software Reset
The kind of reset that involves using the interface is called a software reset, and it can be done right from the settings page of the router. You can, for instance, try to reset or reboot your gateway simply by going to the admin page of your gateway and looking for buttons with the same labels, for instance, reset or reboot that take only a few minutes to complete.

2. Hardware Reset
The other type of reset is known as a hardware, or factory reset and entails the use of a physical reset button that is often located at the back or bottom of the gateway. This will restore the device to its default or factory settings to be precise. It takes more time – up to 10 minutes.

Software vs. Hardware Resets
The most obvious is that while a software reset only resets the general settings of your router, it does not affect the WiFi settings; a hardware reset on the other hand, erases all the settings of the router including the WiFi settings. A hardware reset eliminates every setting you’ve configured on your wireless network and you’ll have to start from the beginning. Therefore, if there is no necessity, a software reset is typically less of a hassle and more manageable than a hardware one.

What are the Consequences of Resetting Your AT&T Router?

Thus, it is imperative to ask how many hours or days you can wait when resetting your AT&T gateway. Here are approximate wait times

Software Reset:

  • Button selection to initiation: One minute
  • Rebooting process: This is because it takes only 1-5 minutes to complete a survey and the reward given to the respondent is very attractive.
  •  Full reconnect: 5 to 10 minutes or less

Hardware/Factory Reset:

  • Button selection to initiation: 600000 µs
  • Reset sequence: Yes, the videos, are 5-10 minutes long.
  • Full reconnect: For the questions, you should allow time of 10+ minutes.

In other words, prepare to be offline for 5-15 minutes at least due to a software or hardware reset.

The time for the hardware reset is longer because the gateway has to go through the restart and the configuration process as if it is a new one. This includes but is not limited to re-downloading of firmware and settings as well as getting them from AT&T servers. Executing software resets reuses existing settings.

Other few minutes may be spent during the process when waiting for the gateway admin page to reload after the reset. It is just important not to rush things at each step especially when it comes to choosing your courses and career paths.

Improving Reset Speeds

If your router seems to get stuck during the reset cycle, here are some things to try: If your router seems to get stuck during the reset cycle, here are some things to try:

  • Always connect via the wire directly to the gateway if at all possible. This eliminates any wire-less interferences that may interfere with the process of packing.
  • Ensure that all VPNs, anti-virus methods, and firewalls currently in use are closed for a particular period of the reset. They can sometimes interfere.
  • If it is still taking more than 15 minutes then turn OFF the gateway turn it ON again and then try to continue the process.
  • Do not frequently jump between different WiFi bands or wired to wireless connections during the reset process. This is an important step, so choose one and let it re-establish itself fully.
  • See to it that nothing is in front of the gateway or that there are no other large objects around it when resetting. Allow space for ventilation.
  • Some gateways may not look like they completed rebooting during peak usage hours, so it is advisable to reset during lighter traffic conditions. The best time is after dark though early morning is convenient especially when the work to be done is numerous.

Although somewhat annoying to do, resetting your AT&T router is one of the simplest processes to rejuvenate the connection and remove such issues. Just plan for anything between five to fifteen minutes – although it should not take more than that if it is just a software reboot via the administration's settings. Cherish the process as well, and if you do that, everything should turn out fine in this case!

Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.

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