Just like rebooting your PC every so often, restarting your router has lots of benefits for how easy it is. New Africa/Shutterstock Your router runs around the clock to manage the networking for all your household devices, which is a big task these days. From phones to laptops to smart TVs, thermostats and so many smart gadgets, the router handles an enormous volume of data without taking a break.

Yet most people never give it a second thought until something goes wrong. The truth is that your router is a small but capable computer and, like any such device, it performs better when it's restarted regularly. Rebooting your router once a month is one of the easiest steps you can take to maintain a fast and stable home network.

The process clears accumulated memory and refreshes connections between your devices and your internet provider, while also giving your router a chance to select less congested Wi-Fi channels. The result is a smoother experience with fewer dropped connections, less buffering and more consistent speeds. Security is another compelling reason to make this a monthly habit.

Both the NSA and FBI recommend router reboots as a baseline security measure, since a restart can easily disrupt certain types of malware and clear suspicious temporary connections. Combine that with installing firmware updates and a strong network password, and you have a reliable way to protect your home network. Since it's a habit that takes roughly two minutes and requires no technical knowledge, it's easy to integrate into your routine.