Remote plug for re-starting router/modem

[Shnozz]

Any recommendations for a plug I can site at a holiday home to re-start the router/modem once in a while?

[markiii]

automatically or manually?

[emperorburger]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Z942YWS/ref=cm_sw_r...

Something like that should do the trick. Works with Alexa and Google home and looks like it can be scheduled

[Shnozz]

markiii said:

automatically or manually?

Either I guess. I get an alert when it goes down as I have a humidity sensor that tells me when it drops offline by message, so happy to press a few buttons at my end to restart it. Had no idea such a thing was available until I googled today after experiencing a lengthy outage so I assume the router needs a "switching it off and switching it on again" reset. Power is up and running as I can see from my electricity meter app.

[SS2.]

Hi mate.

I've got a number of ' MiHome' devices, both at home and at a holiday pad - light switches, sockets, sensors, etc.

All can be controlled via an app on my phone.

Cheap enough from Amazon, and nothing's let me down yet.

The caveat being that if your router is locked, you won't be able to access anything via your gaff's WiFi.

[Jakg]

I don't think you'll be able to do it remotely - I'm assuming your restarting because you've lost internet connection, but of course one you access over the internet will no longer be accessible.

You shouldn't need to be restarting modems either - you might want to put the money towards a decent one instead. My Billion 8800NL has been on for 6 months solid, last restarted due to some electrical work.

[Shnozz]

Yes, that is what I first thought - if the wifi is offline, I have no way to reach it. However, I wondered some sort of timer switch existed that, say daily or weekly, it could automatically re-start the router and thereby resolve the issue. I had a quick look online and came to this sort of thing

https://www.amazon.com/Router-Monitor-Restart-Acce...

Being a non-tech person I didn't know if it was an option? I also saw links to ways of doing it via a web browser but assume for that I would have to be on the same network and within geographical reach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io_sHaElbXs

Sorry - I am a bit non-tech to be able to know what options might or might not be available.

[Shnozz]

emperorburger said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Z942YWS/ref=cm_sw_r...

Something like that should do the trick. Works with Alexa and Google home and looks like it can be scheduled

Ah missed this when replying before - exactly that sort of thing might be perfect! Just schedule a midnight re-start daily and hopefully that might resolve issues.

[Shnozz]

SS2. said:

Hi mate.

I've got a number of ' MiHome' devices, both at home and at a holiday pad - light switches, sockets, sensors, etc.

All can be controlled via an app on my phone.

Cheap enough from Amazon, and nothing's let me down yet.

The caveat being that if your router is locked, you won't be able to access anything via your gaff's WiFi.

Hi mate - yeah, I have a few smart bits such as cameras, lights, door bell, music etc but the issue is the wifi falls over, sometimes on its own or sometimes when we have a power outage. Usually it comes back alive within a few days but on this occasion its been down a while and with lockdown ongoing and travel restricted its anyone's guess when I can return to see whats what.

[droopsnoot]

Shnozz said:

Yes, that is what I first thought - if the wifi is offline, I have no way to reach it. However, I wondered some sort of timer switch existed that, say daily or weekly, it could automatically re-start the router and thereby resolve the issue.

The cheapskate in me wonders whether a standard mains timer plug would do the trick - have it set to go off around 3am every morning for the shortest time it can go off for.

Something like these: https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/tim...

[xeny]

you might want to go really low tech if you don't need smarts, with something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Defender-Segment-Timer-Sw...

I don't know if the TP-Link units and similar need a working internet connection to work reliably.

[Jakg]

Shnozz said:

Yes, that is what I first thought - if the wifi is offline, I have no way to reach it. However, I wondered some sort of timer switch existed that, say daily or weekly, it could automatically re-start the router and thereby resolve the issue. I had a quick look online and came to this sort of thing

https://www.amazon.com/Router-Monitor-Restart-Acce...

Being a non-tech person I didn't know if it was an option? I also saw links to ways of doing it via a web browser but assume for that I would have to be on the same network and within geographical reach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io_sHaElbXs

Sorry - I am a bit non-tech to be able to know what options might or might not be available.

You don't want to be restarting it daily, or even weekly - when you disconnect your telephone exchange thinks you lost connection.

If your exchange sees you losing connection regularly, it'll turn down the speeds until the connection becomes stable.

[Shnozz]

xeny said:

you might want to go really low tech if you don't need smarts, with something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Defender-Segment-Timer-Sw...

I don't know if the TP-Link units and similar need a working internet connection to work reliably.

LOL - I put exactly that model in the bin about 3 weeks ago as part of a clear out thinking "with all these smart plugs and timers why on earth have I kept this"

Interesting about the internet provider potentially reducing speed if it thinks my connection is dropping regularly though - seems the only flaw in this simple idea.

[nxi20]

Might be a bit more than you want to spend, but this is perfect for you:

https://www.openxtra.co.uk/aviosys-ip-power-9255-p...

You set it up to ping something like the Google DNS cluster (8.8.8.8) and if it doesn't get a reply, switch the power of & back on again.

I use the 4 port versions at several sites and the are very reliable. The web interface is pretty clunky but one set up you're good to go.

[silentbrown]

Pretty sure that the cheap generic smart sockets all have a simple built-in schedule.

I use one to power off router/switch/etc overnight to reduce power consumption. It happily turns everything back on every morning without a problem.

I think the lower connection speed argument is largely FUD. I've never noticed an issue.

I used these, BTW. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D7BH6N8

[Shnozz]

nxi20 said:

Might be a bit more than you want to spend, but this is perfect for you:

https://www.openxtra.co.uk/aviosys-ip-power-9255-p...

You set it up to ping something like the Google DNS cluster (8.8.8.8) and if it doesn't get a reply, switch the power of & back on again.

I use the 4 port versions at several sites and the are very reliable. The web interface is pretty clunky but one set up you're good to go.

That does look exactly what is needed (bar the fact I need a European plug) - any links to one with a Euro version? Will consider it.

[Shnozz]

silentbrown said:

Pretty sure that the cheap generic smart sockets all have a simple built-in schedule.

I use one to power off router/switch/etc overnight to reduce power consumption. It happily turns everything back on every morning without a problem.

I think the lower connection speed argument is largely FUD. I've never noticed an issue.

I used these, BTW. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D7BH6N8

You might be right re the generic smart plugs having a schedule. That said, I don't really need this to be a smart plug come to think of it as no reason for me to manually switch it off via its smart capability. I have a spare electronic timer plug that I used for a while on the water heater but found when in residence it made no odds to leave the water on all day so the plug is redundant. Seems easiest route is just to set that to power off for an hour a few times a week and that should hopefully solve the problem.

[nxi20]

Shnozz said:

That does look exactly what is needed (bar the fact I need a European plug) - any links to one with a Euro version? Will consider it.

Here you go:

https://www.openxtra.co.uk/aviosys-ip-power-9255-p...

[Shnozz]

Many thanks nxi - I presume on the other side of that female socket there is a standard two-pin plug so it just goes in the wall? In the same way a smart plug would?

[stemll]

Jakg said:

You don't want to be restarting it daily, or even weekly - when you disconnect your telephone exchange thinks you lost connection.

If your exchange sees you losing connection regularly, it'll turn down the speeds until the connection becomes stable.

Not sure if you missed this comment OP but it is important. Do not reboot your router daily or even weekly. Assuming FTTC, the Openreach DLM will react either by lowering the line speed or adding error correction or both in an attempt to make the line stable. If you reboot all the time it will impact your line speed and or latency.