When the Lights Flicker: A Simple Guide for Handling Electronics After a Power Surge

While we don’t seem to get the monsoon seasons we used to, it only takes one severe storm or power surge to play havoc with your home’s electronic devices. A nearby lightning strike or sudden power outage can leave our homes in confusion. After the lights come back on, the television won’t work, the computer won’t connect to the internet, or the cable box seems frozen. While it can feel overwhelming, most of the time there are a few simple steps you can try before calling Senior Village or calling in professional help.

Why Electronics Suddenly Stop Working

Electronics like TVs, modems, routers, and cable boxes are sensitive. A power surge (a sudden spike in electricity when power is restored) or the crackle of a lightning strike nearby can temporarily confuse these devices. They “lock up” and stop responding, even though they aren’t broken.

Try TO-TO: “Turn Off - Turn On”

One of the simplest tricks is what technicians jokingly call the TO-TO method: “turn off, then turn on” – or in some cases, “unplug, then plug back in.”

Here’s how:

1. Turn the device off. If it has a power button, switch it to OFF.
2. Unplug the cord. Wait about 30 seconds (this lets the device reset).
3. Plug it back in.
4. Turn it back on.

Often this alone will bring your TV, computer, modem, or router back to life. Think of it as giving the machine a short nap to recover.

Resetting Internet and TV Equipment

If your internet or TV still won’t work after a storm, try this order:

1. Unplug the modem (the small box your internet comes through).
2. Unplug the router (the box that gives you Wi-Fi).
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Plug the modem back in first. Wait until all its lights stop flashing.
5. Plug the router back in next.

This sequence is important: the modem has to wake up before the router can do its job. Also, some folks have a modem/router in one device In that case simply follow the TO-TO steps.

Extra Protection with a UPS

If you want to prevent these problems (or at least minimize them), consider using a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

• A UPS is like a smart power strip with a backup battery.
• It protects delicate devices such as computers, TVs, or cable boxes from surges.
• If the power goes out, the UPS keeps your equipment on for a short while—long enough to shut them down safely.

They’re easy to set up: just plug your sensitive electronics into the UPS instead of directly into the wall. You can find these on Amazon for about $60 and up.

Before You Call for Help

Here’s a quick checklist you can try:

• Is the device plugged in securely? Sometimes cords loosen during a surge.
• Try “TO-TO”: turn off, unplug, wait 30 seconds, and plug back in.
• For internet and TV, reboot the modem first, then the router.
• Check if other outlets have power. Sometimes only part of the house loses electricity.

If you’ve tried these steps and things still don’t work, that’s the right time to call Senior Village, your cable, internet, or appliance service for help.