Why you should never turn off your WiFi router at night

In many homes, turning off the WiFi router at night has become a habit. The arguments for doing so are typically power consumption, health, safety and the desire to protect the equipment.

On the face of it, this sounds reasonable, but much of it is based on misunderstandings about how a router actually works.

A modern router is designed to be on 24/7 and maintain a stable connection to your internet service provider. When the power is interrupted repeatedly, the temperature of the components changes dramatically.

This causes heat stress and puts more wear and tear on the electronics than if the router is left to run steadily. The daily cycle of switching it on and off can therefore shorten the lifespan instead of extending it.

The power argument is also a big one. A typical router consumes around 10–12 watts, which equates to around 9 kWh per month. With an average residential electricity price of around €0.33–0.35 per kWh including taxes and VAT, this works out at roughly €36–38 per year for a router that is switched on around the clock.

That is not nothing, but it is still relatively modest when compared to the total electricity costs in an average household. The daily routine of turning the router off and on to chase those savings quickly becomes more trouble than it is worth.

A more recent concern is hacking. Some believe that the risk disappears when the router is turned off at night. The connection does indeed disappear, but the real security of a home network depends on strong passwords, regular updates and healthy habits. When the router is switched off, you also lose the benefits of a constant and updated network connection.

Why it’s wise to leave your router on

When the router is on, your entire home’s digital infrastructure works without interruption. Smart bulbs, voice-controlled assistants, sensors and especially security cameras rely on a stable connection. If the router is turned off, they stop reporting and the house is left without the features that many people bought the equipment for in the first place.

Updates are another important reason. Many devices download new versions of software and security patches overnight so they do not interfere with daily use.

Many of the critical security updates are installed during sleeping hours, which Finnish outlet Kasvutarinat highlights as a key point in several reviews of home networks. Equipment that repeatedly loses connection risks falling behind in that area.

Each time the router is turned back on, it must also reassign IP addresses and negotiate protocols with the connected devices. Some devices lose synchronisation and require a new setup or manual reboot. The result can be unstable connections and small errors, which in the long run are far more annoying than the relatively small power cost of leaving the router on.

The few times when you should actually turn it off

There are situations when it makes sense to turn off your WiFi router. This is especially true during longer absences such as a vacation of several weeks. No one is using the internet and power consumption is unnecessary. Turning it off also reduces the risk of sudden voltage fluctuations while the house is empty.

If the router gets unusually hot, a break can also be a good idea. This gives you time to move it to a better ventilated area and ensure it is not trapped inside a cabinet or behind furniture. The same goes for persistent connection issues, where a controlled restart is often part of the solution.

In some cases, it may also be relevant to switch it off briefly for safety reasons. If you suspect unwanted guests on the network, you can disconnect, change passwords and tighten security settings before turning the router back on. The point is that shutting it down should be a targeted tool for special situations – not a regular nightly routine.