Router Refresher

This Instructable was submitted by Xerocraft Hackerspace in Tucson for the Instructables Sponsorship Program.

This is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to fix slow Internet. It works by automatically interrupting power to your router, at a time of your choosing.

1) Start with a mechanical plug-in timer, which costs around $5 - $10 (avoid the digital ones... they cost more, take longer to program, and can lose their settings during power outages). Set the time of day by twisting the dial...

2) Set the time you want to switch your router OFF, then ON again (e.g.- while you're asleep). Some timers are programmed with pushbuttons... others have sliding tabs... this one uses removable pegs.

3) Plug the timer into a power strip (preferably, one with surge protection). Make sure the Manual Override switch is set to: ON.

4) Plug your router into the outlet on the timer. That's all there is to it! Now you will no longer need to reset your router manually.

Note: It shouldn't really be necessary to refresh a router every day... but this is a quick, $5 workaround. If you're still having slow Internet problems after trying this, you'll probably need to do some troubleshooting.