No yellow jersey required - it’s just a slightly fancy term for what happens when you unplug your router from the power supply for at least 30 seconds.
Why would I do that?
It can help speed up your internet connection!
Without going in to lengthy explanations, rebooting your router can fix a number of issues by wiping the internal memory. And it doesn’t reset any of your important settings like passwords.
The in-house geniuses at Broadband Genie highly recommend you unplug your router from the power supply for 30 seconds every 2 weeks
It’s an easy way to keep your internet on its toes and takes almost no time at all.
Is this something you do regularly? If not, will you be trying it now?
This is completely new to me, but it kinda makes sense because we’re often asked to log out of internet search engines so that new updates can be applied, often security updates. Something I will now do at least once a month, probably just before going to bed so I don’t turn off the wifi while it’s being used somewhere.
Brilliant @Hugh - let us know if you notice any difference the next day once you start testing this out. Judging from our poll results so far you are definitely not alone as far as this being new goes!
And good idea to wait til night time so nobody gets cut off before a crucial decision, conundrum, or denouement!
I have only ever rebooted when I have had an issue. Might set myself a task to do this - easier to do now my daughter’s left home. She’s a night owl so couldn’t have done it before. Will see if it makes a difference and let you know.
On that, I have a question for all. Is there a way to check with Virgin Media when you should expect to get a new router? I think mine is about 10 years old. How often should a Virgin Media router be replaced?
That’s an excellent point @Sarah_McGregor - it might come as an unpleasant surprise to other people in the house if done at the wrong time! It would be great to hear how you get on (don’t forget to do a speed test before and after!)
@greenwellys interesting question - 10 years old definitely sounds like it might be needing a bit of R&R. The latest version is Hub 5 or Hub 5x - have a peek through What hub do you get with Virgin Media broadband? and see if you can identify yours. I’ll also ask the team here if they can advise further but it never hurts to ask customer service nicely too!
I’m almost sure that when I got my broadband router, the instructions said do not turn it off, ever!
I thought it was weird, because at least once or twice a year there has been a power cut of some description along our street, but it doesn’t seem to harm the router.
You’re generally advised to leave it switched on for security patches/updates, and of course, these days you may have smart devices connected which you want to keep going (security cameras, heating/lighting, omniscient fridge freezers). In days of yore, regularly turning off the router might affect your speed as the ISP thinks there’s a problem with the line. But as you say, power cuts are far from unusual and the occasional switch on and off is more than OK these days!
Why would I do that?
It can help speed up your internet connection!