RouterLightsFixHow to Reset or Restart an Xfinity Router: App, Power Cycle and Reset Button
Most Xfinity problems, including blinking lights and dropped WiFi, are solved by restarting the gateway. A factory reset is much more drastic, and you rarely need it. This guide shows all three ways to restart or reset an Xfinity router so you can pick the least disruptive option.
Steps vary slightly by gateway model, so use the model label if anything looks different.
Restart or reset: which do you need?
| Method | Keeps your settings? | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Restart from the Xfinity app | Yes | You are away or want the easiest option |
| Unplug and replug (power cycle) | Yes | The app cannot reach the gateway |
| Factory reset with the button | No | Nothing else has worked |
How to restart an Xfinity router from the app
Open the Xfinity app and sign in.
Go to the WiFi or Internet section and select your gateway.
Tap Restart (or Restart Device) and confirm.
Wait about ten minutes. The app tells you when the gateway is back online.
How to power cycle an Xfinity router manually
Unplug the power cord from the back of the gateway.
Wait 60 seconds.
Plug the cord back in.
Wait up to ten minutes. The light usually cycles through orange and green and then settles on steady white.
If you have a separate router behind an Xfinity modem, restart the modem first and the router after it comes online.
How to factory reset an Xfinity router
Do this only as a last resort, because it erases your WiFi network name, password and custom settings.
Find the small recessed reset button on the back of the gateway.
Press and hold it with a paperclip for the time your model specifies, often around 30 seconds.
Release the button and wait 10 to 15 minutes while the gateway restarts and reconnects.
Set up WiFi again in the Xfinity app, or use the default name and password on the label.
What happens after a reset
Your devices disconnect and need the new or default password. Any custom settings such as port forwarding or parental controls may be erased. Save a note of your settings before you reset so you can restore them.
When a reset does not help
If the gateway still shows orange, green or red after a reset, the issue is probably outside your home or the hardware. Read our guides on an Xfinity router blinking orange or the Xfinity gateway lights, and contact Xfinity if there is no outage and the light will not clear.
The bottom line
Restart from the app first, use a power cycle second and factory reset only as a last resort. Set your WiFi up again afterward with a fresh password.
Frequently asked questions about how to reset xfinity router
How do I restart my Xfinity router?
Open the Xfinity app, go to your WiFi or Internet settings, choose the gateway and tap Restart. Or unplug the power cord for 60 seconds, plug it in and wait about ten minutes.
What is the difference between restart and reset?
A restart keeps your settings. A factory reset erases your WiFi name, password and custom settings and returns the gateway to its defaults.
How long does an Xfinity restart take?
Roughly ten minutes to fully reconnect. During that time the light cycles through colors and settles on steady white.
Will I lose my WiFi password if I reset the gateway?
A factory reset returns the name and password to the defaults on the gateway label. A normal restart does not change them.
How long do I hold the reset button?
Many gateways need about 30 seconds with a paperclip, but check your model's instructions. Then wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to restart.