Technology

How to remotely reset your router: Steps for easy troubleshooting

Published

1 week ago

April 4, 2025

How to remotely reset your router: Steps for easy troubleshooting

Does your home have a ton of smart home devices running it? If you do, there’s a good chance that you’ve been out of the house when your internet has gone down and needed a way to quickly reset your router remotely to keep everything at home running smoothly.

Tom from Carol Stream, Illinois, reached out to us with this same problem: “When I’m out of town and my internet goes down, all of my ‘internet of things’ goes down too. Yes, I’m supposed to turn off my router and turn it on again, but if I’m not at home, is there anything I can do when I’m out of town? Any help? It’s very frustrating!”

Tom, we understand your frustration. It can be inconvenient when your internet goes down, especially when you’re not at home to reset your router. However, there are ways to reset your router remotely. Here are the general steps to resetting your router remotely using a web browser.

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Home router (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to reset your router with a web browser

Before we start, though, it’s important to note that you will need administrator access to your router. Luckily, this is simple if it’s your own home router. Unless you’ve changed the settings, your router uses the default username and password for its model, which you can find by a simple web search. Once you have your router’s login information, follow these steps.

Open your browser: Open any web browser with a good Internet connection.
Have login details prepared: Have your router’s login information handy, including the public IP address, the network name and the password.
Login to router: Open any web browser and input: http://192.168.1.1. This will lead to your router login page, where you will sign in before adjusting settings.
Reset router: Look for a setting devoted to resetting or restoring a router to its factory settings. You can enable this process by pressing enter. The settings page should let you know when the reset has been completed. Depending on your ISP, you might have to use their dedicated app. For example, as you can see in the screenshot below, I have Spectrum at home and can only edit the router’s settings via the Spectrum mobile app. Typing in the router address will launch the same page, but Spectrum has a note redirecting you to their app to change your settings or reset your router.

The exact steps may vary depending on your router’s make and model. Also, ensure that your router has no power issues and a stable connection, as interruptions can affect the reset process.

Most of the major ISPs in North America now allow you to reset your networking equipment remotely via a smartphone app, making it even easier to reset your router. This assumes you are using their router and not one you purchased for yourself. If you use a third-party router, you’ll need to follow the steps above to reset it.

Spectrum router info (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

TOP ROUTERS FOR BEST SECURITY 2025

What if my router doesn’t allow remote restarting?

If your router doesn’t support remote rebooting, you might consider investing in a smart plug that can be controlled remotely. This would allow you to power cycle your router from anywhere by turning the smart plug off and on. Remember, it’s always important to secure your router and any remote access with strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorized access.

Smart plugs come with smartphone apps that will allow you to set schedules and remotely turn and off plugs around your house, including the plug you plug your router into. All you need to reset your router with a smart plug is a high-quality smart plug.

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A smart plug (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MUST-HAVE SMART HOME APPS TO CONTROL YOUR HOUSE

Kurt’s key takeaways

With this handy guide, you can easily reset your router. All you need is a web browser and a solid connection to the internet, along with your ISP and router login information. We also highlighted buying a smart plug as a simpler way to reset your router, and I recommend picking up a few smart plugs to automate parts of your home to keep electric costs down.

Have you ever experienced internet outages while away from home? How did you handle your smart home devices during that time? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Buckle up for more subscriptions

Published

14 hours ago

April 11, 2025

Press Room

Two weeks ago, Garmin announced it was launching a new subscription. Where the Garmin Connect app had previously offered everything from in-depth metrics and training plans for free, the beloved fitness tech company was now adding premium AI summaries, among other features, behind a paywall. In The Verge comments, my social media mentions, and the r/Garmin subreddit, cries about enshittification ensued.

Then, earlier this week, Garmin-competitor Polar announced that it, too, was launching a premium subscription called Polar Fitness Plan. There was no AI component, but in a nutshell, Polar is now asking long-time users to pay for training plans that it had previously, in some capacity, offered for free.

The march toward subscriptions, particularly in the wearable space, didn’t crop up overnight. You could trace it back to Apple’s infamous services event in 2019 (if not earlier), when the company made a marked shift from hardware to services. But Garmin and Polar’s examples stand out. In the world of premium rugged smartwatches, long-time fans often accepted the several hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars for their hardware because they didn’t paywall features.

“Garmins have always felt a little on the high side price wise, but it was justifiable as there was no ongoing cost,” Threads user aaronpfisher told me when I asked Garmin loyalists how they felt. “Strava have taken more and more and hidden behind a paywall and that’s how I fear this will end up too.”

“Customers are rightly worried that all of the best features will be behind a paywall,” says subscriptions expert Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of The Membership Economy and The Forever Transaction. “They have told customers not to worry — that the base software will always be available for free. But they have not been clear about whether or how much they will continue to improve the free version.”

It’s an understandable frustration. Generally, Baxter says, customers are resistant to subscribing to access features or their variations if they’ve previously received them for free. That’s borne out in recent examples. Oura Health, maker of the popular smart ring, faced immense backlash upon launching a subscription alongside Oura Ring Gen 3 in 2021. Recently, popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, also incurred the internet’s wrath when he introduced a subscription to his wallpaper app. Likewise, BMW also received heat when it tried to add a monthly subscription for heated seats in its cars.

But that anger might be something consumers have to get used to in the coming months. Increasingly, hardware sales no longer keep the lights on — and President Trump’s tariffs will only add fuel to the subscription wars.

Regardless of what the final tariff rates are, experts who have spoken to The Verge largely agree that gadget prices — and the price of everything else — will rise. Should nothing change, it might spur short-term buying, as consumers rush to snap up devices before price hikes. It may lead to people holding onto their devices longer and buying less in the mid-to-long term. In that scenario, charging for services becomes the most obvious way to keep the lights on.

“If hardware becomes more expensive, software will be a way for hardware companies to grow.”

“If hardware becomes more expensive, software will be a way for hardware companies to grow,” says Baxter, noting that Trump’s tariffs will push companies to focus on accelerating software and software-as-a-service subscriptions. “It also might change how they manufacture their products—designing for long-term stability and software flexibility. If companies designed hardware to last twice as long, and to deliver much of the value through software upgrades, they might be able to funnel more of their revenue through the ‘software’ side than the ‘hardware’ side.”

The question is whether companies can convince their customers the cost is worth it. Simply slapping on new features without thinking of the value they can provide could alienate loyal users. In fitness tech, athletes have largely decried Strava’s attempt to add value to its subscription through AI summaries, describing the feature as useless. (Or, more cuttingly, like “reading a book report a third-grader wrote.”)

Either way, it doesn’t look like there’ll be any relief for subscription fatigue any time soon.

Technology

Can't find your Android phone? Here's what to do to track it down

Published

15 hours ago

April 11, 2025

Press Room

Can't find your Android phone? Here's what to do to track it down

You’re about to run out of the house, and suddenly your phone is nowhere to be found. Or you get in your car after being at the store, and your phone’s not in your bag.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Whether you’re someone who loses or misplaces your phone frequently or just once in a blue moon, we’ve all been there.

Unfortunately, finding your phone is not so easy. Perhaps you try calling it, but your ringer is on silent. Or it fell into the cracks somewhere, and you can’t see the screen light up. Luckily, there’s another way to find your Android phone if you’re unsure where you last left it.

iPhone users, be sure to check out four ways to find your lost iPhone, with and without other devices.

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A man looking at his smartwatch (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1. Ping your phone using your smartwatch

One way to find your Android phone if you’re not quite sure where you last left is to rely on your smartwatch, which you can use to ping your phone. This feature sends a signal to your phone, making it ring loudly even if it’s on silent, helping you locate it quickly.

Open the watch app: On your Android watch (such as a Samsung Galaxy watch), swipe down to access the quick settings menu.
Find the Find My Phone icon: Look for an icon that resembles a phone with sound waves around it.
Ping your phone: Tap the icon, and your phone will start ringing, making it easier to find.

2. Use your Google Account to ‘Find My Device’

If you have access to a device connected to your Google account, such as a laptop, tablet or another smartphone, you can use it to find your Android phone. This feature is part of Google’s ecosystem and allows you to locate your phone through the Google Play Store or any web browser.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

To use Google’s Find My Device feature, a few things must have been set up on your Android phone before it was lost:

Your phone must be signed into your Google account
Location Services must be turned on
The Find My Device feature must be enabled:Go to Settings → Security → Find My Device and ensure it’s on
Your phone must be powered on and connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi for real-time tracking
(Optional but helpful) Your device should be visible on Google Play. You can check this at play.google.com/settings and ensure visibility is turned on

If these conditions are met, you can use any device (such as a laptop, tablet or another phone) connected to the internet to find your lost Android phone:z

On any device, open a web browser or the Google Play Store app
Log in with the same Google account linked to your lost phone
In the web browser, go to Find My Device. If using the Google Play Store, open the menu and select Find My Device
Google will display your phone’s last known location on a map
You can also use options to make it ring, lock it or erase its data to protect your personal information

Find My Device map (Google)

LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO LOCK DOWN YOUR ANDROID? HERE’S HOW TO DO IT

3. Utilize the old-school method

It may go without saying, but with all this convenient technology, sometimes the tried-and-true methods are easily forgotten. If you happen to lose your Android, consider retracing your steps: call the places you visited within the last few hours, ask employees if anyone found their phone, and check all the nooks and crannies in your car, bag, etc. You can also try calling your phone to see if anyone answers, and if they’re honest, you can find a safe, public place to meet up. Also, if you happen to lose your phone in a ride-share, those apps have methods to communicate with the driver in order to get your phone back.

BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR ANDROIDS – CYBERGUY PICKS 2025

What to consider if you lose or misplace your Android

Anyone can lose their phone at some point. Therefore, be careful what apps and security you have on your phone. For instance, if you have banking apps, notes with your passwords listed or private messages and emails, you’ll want to have an extra layer of security on your phone, like a keypad lock or biometric security. This way, if your phone is placed in the wrong hands, they can’t access your sensitive data.

Even if you have those security features on your Android, if you call your phone and someone happens to answer, be wary of what information you give them. Though one would hope the finder would be honest, you never know. They could set you up for a scam, so trust your gut.

Other tips to protect your Android phone: Essential accessories

To minimize the risk of damage happening to your Android phone, whether that damage is from when you lost or misplaced it, it may be worth investing in some protective gear and tools. Here are some must-haves for any smartphone owner.

1. Install strong antivirus software to keep your Android safe

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2. Invest in a durable phone case

A sturdy phone case can prevent damage from drops, bumps and scratches. Consider cases from reputable brands offering shock absorption, reinforced corners and raised edges to protect the screen and camera. Look for materials such as silicone, TPU or hybrid constructions that combine multiple layers for enhanced durability. Additionally, some cases come with added functionalities like kickstands or cardholders, making them both protective and practical.

3. Opt for a high-quality charger

Using a high-quality charger ensures your phone charges efficiently and safely. Look for chargers that offer fast charging capabilities and are certified by your phone’s manufacturer. Plus, investing in a reliable charger can save you from the frustration of slow charging times and potential damage to your device. It’s always worth having a dependable charger on hand, especially for those busy days when you need a quick power boost.

A woman with a dead Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

UPDATED ANDROID MALWARE CAN HIJACK CALLS YOU MAKE TO YOUR BANK

4. Consider a privacy screen

Privacy screens can prevent prying eyes from viewing your phone’s display, adding an extra layer of security. They are especially useful in public places. Imagine being on a crowded train or in a busy cafe, these screens can give you peace of mind knowing your personal information stays private. Plus, they can also reduce glare, making it easier to see your screen in bright environments.

BEST ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR ANDROID

Kurt’s key takeaways

Losing your phone can be a frustrating experience, but with the right strategies and tools at your disposal, you can recover it quickly and efficiently. Whether you rely on your smartwatch to ping your device, utilize Google’s “Find My Device” feature or revert to the classic method of retracing your steps, there are multiple ways to help you locate your Android phone. So, the next time you find yourself frantically searching for your phone, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle the situation with confidence.

What strategies or tools have you found most effective for locating your lost phone, and do you have any personal stories to share about your experiences with misplaced devices? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

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Technology

Microsoft is about to launch Recall for real this time

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2025

Press Room

Microsoft is about to launch Recall for real this time

Microsoft is starting to gradually roll out a preview of Recall, its feature that captures screenshots of what you do on a Copilot Plus PC to find again later, to Windows Insiders, according to a blog post published Thursday.

This new rollout could indicate that Microsoft is finally getting close to launching Recall more widely. Microsoft originally intended to launch Recall alongside Copilot Plus PCs last June, but the feature was delayed following concerns raised by security experts. The company then planned to launch it in October, but that got pushed as well so that the company could deliver “a secure and trusted experience.”

The company did release a preview of Recall in November to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel for Qualcomm Copilot Plus PCs and made a preview available to Intel- and AMD-powered Copilot Plus PC shortly after. And after a couple weeks of testing, my colleague Tom Warren said that Recall is “creepy, clever, and compelling.”

In Thursday’s blog post, Microsoft spells out that you have to opt in to saving snapshots with Recall, and you can pause saving them “at any time.”