#1 What This State Means
A restart and a factory reset are different steps, and the sources on this site treat them differently. A restart turns the device off and on again. It keeps your settings, and it is the first thing to try for most light problems. A factory reset puts the device back to its default settings, and it removes your personal configuration, including your Wi-Fi name and password. Use the restart first and the reset only when a support agent tells you to.
The two steps also take different holds and different actions, and the holds differ by brand. Spectrum’s WiFi 6 manual (S02) says a reboot is a press and hold of the side Reset button for 4 to 14 seconds, and it keeps your personalised settings, and a factory reset is a hold of 15 seconds or more that removes them. AT&T’s restart article (S07) describes a restart as unplugging the power cord, waiting 20 seconds and plugging it back in, and it warns that devices lose the internet for up to five minutes. Cox’s tables (S31, S32) describe a manual reboot as unplugging the power cord from the back of the gateway, waiting 30 seconds and plugging it back in. AT&T’s sources disagree on its reset hold, and Verizon’s reset hold comes from one source only, so this site does not publish a hold for either.
So the answer to “restart or reset” depends on the brand, but the rule holds for every brand: restart first, and reset only with support’s instruction.
#2 Restart and reset by brand
| Brand and device | Restart (keeps settings) | Factory reset (removes settings) |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum WiFi 6 router | Hold the side Reset button 4 to 14 seconds | Hold 15 seconds or more |
| AT&T gateway | Unplug the power cord, wait 20 seconds, plug it back in | Not published; sources disagree on the hold |
| Cox XER10 or CGM4141 | Unplug the power cord from the back, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in | Not published on this site; check Cox’s current instructions |
| Verizon CR1000A | Not published on this site | Not published; only the user guide gives a hold, and the knowledge-base chart does not |
The table shows that the restart is described for each brand, while the reset is published only where a single source gives it. Where the sources conflict, this page gives no hold.
#3 Steps to choose between a restart and a reset
- Start with a restart. It keeps your settings, so it is the safe first step.
- Use the brand’s restart method. Follow the table for your device, and wait for the start-up to finish.
- Allow for the reconnection time. AT&T’s article says devices can be offline for up to five minutes after a restart, so do not judge the connection straight away.
- If the restart does not fix it, contact the provider. Give the model and what you have already tried.
- Use a factory reset only if support asks. It removes your Wi-Fi name, password and settings, so you would need to set them up again.
#4 What If Scenarios
Q: Will a restart erase my Wi-Fi name or password? No. A restart keeps your settings on the sources checked here. Spectrum’s manual says a reboot keeps personalised settings, and AT&T’s article describes a restart as a power cycle.
Q: Will a factory reset erase my settings? Yes. A factory reset returns the device to its default settings, which removes your personal configuration. Spectrum’s manual says a factory reset removes personalised settings, and Cox’s Panoramic page says the name and password revert to the default after a factory reset.
Q: How long should I wait after a restart? It depends on the brand. AT&T’s article says up to five minutes for devices to reconnect, and Spectrum’s manual gives 4 to 14 seconds for the reboot button hold, not for the wait. Watch the light for the start-up to finish before you judge it.
Q: Why does the reset hold time not appear for AT&T or Verizon? Because the AT&T sources disagree, and for Verizon only one source gives a hold. AT&T’s BGW320 guide and its restart article do not agree on the reset hold, and Verizon’s user guide gives a hold that its knowledge-base chart does not repeat. This site does not publish a number when the sources conflict.
Q: Can I just unplug the router to reset it? Unplugging is the restart method for most brands on this page, and it keeps your settings. Unplugging is not a factory reset.
#5 Related Articles
For the Spectrum reboot and reset holds, read the Spectrum WiFi 6 router lights guide. For the AT&T restart and the outage check, read how to check for an ISP outage. For the Cox restart method, read the Cox gateway lights by device guide.