Q&A: Lightning destroyed my cable modem. Should I replace my router too?

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Question from Kendra: Hi, Rick. We had a pretty bad thunderstorm last night that caused a lot of damage in my area.

Once I noticed the lightning I turned everything off like I always do when it’s storming and then went on to bed.

This morning when I turned everything back on I couldn’t get the cable box or the modem to light up at all. They’re completely dead.

I called the cable company and they’re sending a technician out to replace the cable box and modem.

What I need to know is do you think I need to buy a new router too? It lights up like it always did and it appears to be working.

I’ll take whatever advice you give me because I trust you. Thanks for helping me.

Rick’s answer: You’re welcome, Kendra. I really appreciate your confidence in me.

To answer your question, there’s a good chance that your router will work just fine once the new cable modem is installed. If that turns out to be the case you can just continue to use your current router as long as it’s working correctly. The cable tech should be able to help you determine whether it’s working correctly or not after he installs your new modem.

While lightning can (and often does) weaken the components in a device without “killing” it completely, there is no harm in continuing to use a router that appears to still be working as it should. You can always replace it later if it ever starts causing issues with your Internet and/or network connectivity (or if stops working altogether).

If and when it does come time to replace your router you won’t really need to get a really expensive model if your Internet needs are moderate. Just be sure it’s a recent model that supports the latest encryption and security features AND is fast enough to deliver the download speed you signed up for with your Internet plan.

Your local electronics retailer or big-box store should have a variety of routers to choose from. You can also get one from Amazon and possibly save a few bucks.

I hope this helps Kendra. Good luck!