Internet Slow After Power Outage: 5 Easy Ways to Fix - The Nature Hero (2024)

Does your internet slow down after a sudden power outage?

I experienced the same issue until I realized the problem was not with the internet but the ISP and hardware!

The internet becomes slow after a sudden power outage because of the power spike that reboots the internet server, resets the Internet Provider’s DNS server, damages modem/router components, and causes minor alterations.

The slow internet issue may only last for a while, but you should know the problem is grave if the issue persists!

However, do not worry because most internet issues can be fixed with simple hacks!

Read on to find out how power outage affects your internet and ways to overcome them.

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Why is My Internet Slow After a Power Outage?

You would know your internet is slow when the kids at home cry out, “What happened to the Wi-Fi?” or the YouTube video resolution suddenly drops below 720p.

However, slow internet is a common issue you may encounter at any point, including after a power outage!

A power outage is a minor reason for a slow internet connection because outages do not happen often.

So why is your internet suddenly slow after a sudden power outage?

The answer is how sudden power fluctuations affect the hardware, including servers, modems, cables that transfer the internet, and the geographical range of power outages.

A power outage would turn off most devices that send internet signals from the internet exchange, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and local area network to your router.

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When one of them goes down, the internet will stop flowing until the power comes back.

Even when it comes back, one of the hardware will take a while to reboot or achieve optimal signal speed.

Therefore, the “end-user” or you may face a slow Wi-Fi connection for a brief period.

However, if the reason is your slow internet connection (package), the problem will likely persist.

Remember, an internet speed of fewer than 10/15 Mbps is considered pretty slow in the U.S., as the average internet speed is 25 Mbps.

So, do not blame the power outage for slower internet speed when your internet connection does not even exceed 10-15 Mbps.

Continue reading to learn why your internet is slow on your laptop but not on other devices.

Can Power Surge Affect the Internet?

As previously mentioned, a power surge can affect the internet speed, especially when the power comes back on after a sudden outage and a rise in electricity volts.

Remember, the internet passes through hardware prone to wear and tear and alterations caused by electrical surges.

A spike or drop in voltage may lead to lost communication from the ISP to the modem located in your home.

Sometimes, sudden spikes caused by voltage surges due to lightning can even blow out the router, including other possible problems.

  1. Cables (Connectors corroded or burned from arcing)
  2. Switches (Ports corroded/burnt from arcing, damaged main boards running are reduced capacity)
  3. Routers (Connectors corroded)
  4. Servers (Damaged Network Interface Controller or damaged mainboards with integrated NIC)

Therefore, experts recommend getting a surge protector to protect your devices from a sudden power surge.

The internet connection outage or slow speed can be caused by a sudden electricity spike and may lead to alteration, a drop in DNS, or even a damaged router.

Therefore, a power surge is not a good idea for the internet speed unless you can protect your router/modem using a surge protector.

Read on to find out if you can plug the power surge into a surge protector.

How to Fix Slow Internet After a Power Outage?

Before deciding your internet is slower, check the speed using the SpeedTest app.

If the download speed constantly exceeds the package speed promised by ISP, then the problem may be graver.

Here are some quick ways to fix slow internet at home or the office.

1. Reset the DNS Server

Although unrelated to the internet speed, DNS or Domain Name Server can influence how fast websites could open.

Power outages sometimes can affect the ISP’s DNS server to stop working or even crash, affecting the internet speed and preventing the internet from working altogether.

Therefore, fixing or resetting your DNS setting through a laptop or computer is the answer.

Solution

Here is a quick way to diagnose the problem with your DNS server using a Windows computer and a temporary solution.

  1. Click on Windows, type Control Panel, and click on the option.
  2. Navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
  3. Tap on the internet connection and select Properties.
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  1. Go to the Networking tab, and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) > Properties.
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  1. Click Advanced and choose DNS and select Use the following DNS server address. Replace the existing DNS setting with 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 for IPv4.
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  1. Use the following DNS server address 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2001:4860:4860::8844 for IPv6.
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2. Hard Reset the Router or Modem

A power outage or sudden electrical surge can damage the router or modem settings.

Although it does not cause hardware damage, it will affect the internet speed.

This problem is similar to routers that may freeze after continuous use, requiring a hard reset.

You should try hard resetting the device to clear the cache and temporary files and fix configuration issues affecting the internet.

Solution

  1. Unplug the LAN cables and power cord and plug it back in after a few minutes.
  2. Otherwise, find the reset button on the back of the router.
  3. The reset button is often small and discreet, requiring using a pin.
  4. Insert the pin into the reset button and press it for a few seconds before releasing.

These steps should effectively hard reset your router, but do not forget to reconfigure it before using it.

3. Power Cycle and Reboot the Router

Power outages can cause minor glitches to the router or modem, affecting the internet speed.

Leaving your router on continuously may cause a sluggish internet connection.

You can effectively fix this by power cycling or rebooting your router.

Solution

  1. Start with switching off the router and removing LAN connections.
  2. Unplug the router and wait at least 15 seconds.
  3. Plug the router back and wait 1-2 minutes before powering it back on.
  4. Wait for all panel lights to turn green before testing the internet connection.

4. Repair or Damaged Router Parts

It is common for router parts like cables, switches, and connectors to die due to power outages or sudden power surges.

Continuous power surges often render some router components ineffective or severely damage the equipment.

The only solution is to replace the affected parts, more minor or main components, or the equipment altogether.

Consult the internet provider to replace the parts or the router with a new one.

Next, configure the router with the appropriate setting and run a speed test to determine whether the new router works just fine.

Fortunately, most internet providers cover replacing the router in the event of damage, so you need not pay any extra fee.

5. Check With Your ISP

Sometimes, there might not be any problem from your side but the ISP itself.

You should consult your ISP to determine whether they are facing any downtime.

Routine maintenance, problems with the internet exchange, and damaged cables leading to the loss of internet packets are a few possible causes.

These problems would require advanced diagnosis, which the internet providers can only determine.

Remember, if the power outage can damage your router, it can also affect the ISP’s hardware.

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Conclusion

A power outage, although rare, can affect the speed of your internet connection.

Remember, a power outage or surge can temporarily or permanently damage the router and affects its configuration.

Therefore, you should be proactive about diagnosing possible problems with the internet connection.

Use this guide to quickly fix your internet speed problems, and let us know which worked for you in the comments!

Read on to discover how to work from home with slow internet.

Internet Slow After Power Outage: 5 Easy Ways to Fix - The Nature Hero (2024)

FAQs

How do I fix slow Wi-Fi after power outage? ›

The solution is simple: Restart your equipment by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds or so, plugging it back in and allowing it to reboot. More often than not, this will resolve your Wi-Fi outage.

How do you reset internet after outage? ›

Step 1: Unplug the modem and router from the power outlet. Step 2: Wait at least 15 seconds. Step 3: Plug the modem back into the power outlet first, wait 1-2 minutes, then it's time to power on the router. Step 4: Wait for all panel lights on your cable modem to become green on before testing your internet connection.

How do I fix my internet after a power cut? ›

Most of the time all you need to do is “reboot” the router by simply unplugging the power cable from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. (Note: DO NOT press the “reset” button or any other buttons on your router, this can erase the configuration on your router, requiring reconfiguration.

Why did my Wi-Fi suddenly become so slow? ›

Why is my Wi-Fi so slow all of a sudden? Some common reasons are that you're too far away from the router, your bandwidth is low, there's an issue with the device you're using, you need to update your network drivers, or there are too many devices connected to the network and they're streaming or using lots of data.

Can a power outage damage my router? ›

Yes! Equipment that are mains-powered can be damaged. Including routers. But the power surge can also result in further damage to equipment that is connected through other types of cables to a device that is mains-powered.

Why do I have to reboot my router after power outage? ›

You should not normally need to - the router will reboot automatically after a power outage, using the configuration settings saved in non-volatile memory. It will lose any information about connected sessions, but that would have expired in any case with no power for more than a few minutes.

Can a power outage affect internet? ›

Does the internet work without power? Internet services are often still functional during a power outage, provided you have an alternative power source for your internet equipment. Internet service providers (ISPs) use backup power generators and batteries to keep internet infrastructure running during a power outage.

Can a power surge damage a modem? ›

However, a DSL splitter can also be vulnerable to power surges and interference from other sources, such as lightning, electrical appliances, or radio waves. These can damage your splitter, your modem, or your phone, and disrupt your internet service.

Do Wi-Fi extenders work? ›

While WiFi extenders can increase the range of your wireless network, their effectiveness is limited by a host of factors, including the speed of the internet connection coming into your home, the distance from your router, the areas in your home in need of WiFi coverage, and the WiFi demands of your family.

What device increases Internet speed? ›

Upgrade your modem/router for speed, stability, and security. Ethernet cables offer faster, stable, and secure connections. Powerline adapters provide reliable speed via electrical wiring. Wi-Fi extenders/boosters expand coverage and eliminate dead zones.

Will a better modem increase Internet speed? ›

Do modems affect internet speed? ​ The same concept of the router applies to a modem – low-tier or older modems will have speed limitations. Older or outdated modems may not be capable of supporting the speeds offered on your internet plan.

What is the WPS button on my router? ›

WPS stands for WiFi Protected Setup. A router with a WPS button can allow any device to automatically connect to your router when the WPS button is pressed. When you press the WPS button, your router looks for compatible devices right away and allows those devices automatically connect.

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