Restart devices in the correct order

When a smart device stops responding, restart in this order: router first (unplug 30 seconds, replug), wait 2 minutes for it to fully boot, then restart the problem device (unplug 10 seconds, replug). If using a hub (Hue Bridge, SmartThings), restart the hub between router and device.

Why It Works

Most connectivity issues are caused by the device losing its IP address lease or the router's connection table filling up. Restarting the router clears the connection table, and restarting the device forces it to re-establish a fresh connection.

Tips

• Restart the router first — restarting the device alone often does not work because the problem is upstream
• If devices disconnect regularly, your router may be overloaded — check how many devices are connected
• Most routers support 20-30 devices; smart homes with 40+ devices need a better router
• Set your router to auto-reboot weekly using its built-in scheduler (check admin settings)