Oh, no! I can't get online!!

Or... Now what? My internet is not working!!

Try this.

1. Shut down your computer (properly, by choosing "shut down" etc.)

2. Turn off your router and modem. 

These are boxes with flashing lights on them that are often near where your telephone wires come into your house. They might have antennae on them (for your wi-fi). They might also have a cable clicked in that might go to the wall...or even into the back of your computer.

Look at the back and sides to find a power button.

If all else fails, and you cannot find the power button, unplug the piece (or pieces- some people have a router/modem combination, and some have two different pieces of equipment). 

3. Count slowly to thirty. (Alternatively, recite a magic spell... or pray a couple of prayers... the point is, don't just turn it off then on immediately.)

4. If you have two separate pieces of equipment, turn the one connected near the phone (the modem) on first, then the other one (the router).

The lights will flash and blink. Some will be red or yellow or green. They will flash in a number of patterns.

Don't worry. That's just your equipment talking to itself and testing itself.

Once it seems like all or most of the lights have settled down (either on, or off... some might keep flickering, that's fine too), then go back to your computer.

5. Start up your computer.

6. Open your browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Mozilla) and enter something like "www.google.com".

7. 99% of the time, you will be able to get to the web address successfully.

This means you were SUCCESSFUL! 

You have officially "rebooted your router"!! 

Now you should be able to do whatever it was you turned on your computer to do.

Hmm...shoot... what WAS I doing, anyway???