How to Check Router Status

Your router is a vital part of any network. It can perform a variety of functions, including routing traffic to other devices and acting as a firewall or switch. If your router is not working properly, it can cause problems for your network and the internet as a whole.

Check the lights on your router

Most networking equipment, such as modems and gateways (modem/router combos), have a row of status lights to indicate different functions. These lights are usually labeled differently from model to model, but most are green and represent a good connection.

Examine the connections on your router

If you're unable to connect, make sure all cables are securely plugged in and that you have enough power. You can also check the router's web management page to see if it has any errors that could be causing your trouble.

Restart the router

If your router is running slow, try restarting it. If this does not help, the issue is most likely software-based and you should contact a technician for assistance.

Test the network by connecting to another device

The next time you have a problem with your Internet connection, make sure to try to connect with a different device to see if it fixes it. For example, if you can't connect to the Internet through your computer, try connecting through a Wi-Fi hotspot that you know works.

Use the command line to determine the configuration of your router

The show interface command is very useful, but you can use a few other commands to quickly determine the current state of the router's configuration. For example, the show running-config command displays the current config that's stored in the router's memory.