Published: 12:13 AM, 05 November 2026
How to keep your home Wi-Fi working during power cuts
When the power goes, the router goes with it. A small backup and a few habits can keep online classes and office work from stopping.
Load shedding has been part of daily life in many parts of the country this year. For families who depend on the internet for online classes, work from home or banking, the problem is simple: when the power goes off, the Wi-Fi router goes off with it.
A few low cost steps can reduce the disruption. None of them is perfect, but together they help.
Know what a backup can and cannot do
A backup at home keeps your own router running. It cannot help if the internet connection itself is down. Your internet service provider (ISP) may have equipment in your area or building that also needs power, and the level of backup differs from one provider to another. If your router is running on backup but there is still no internet, the problem may be at the provider’s end. It is worth asking your ISP how its network behaves during load shedding.
Option 1: Use your phone as a hotspot
This is the easiest option and costs nothing extra if you already have a mobile data package. Turn on the hotspot and connect your laptop. It drains the phone battery fast and uses up data, so keep a charged power bank and enough data balance. Mobile signal can also weaken in some areas during long outages. It suits short outages and light work, not a whole family streaming video.
Option 2: Put the router on a small battery backup
Look at the label on your router’s power adapter. It shows the output voltage and current, such as 9V or 12V. A mini UPS (uninterruptible power supply) made for routers must match that voltage and supply at least that much current. Check the plug size and the polarity marking too. A wrong voltage can damage the router. If your internet comes through a separate fibre box or media converter, that device needs backup too, otherwise the connection still drops. How long the backup lasts depends on the battery size and the devices connected.
Option 3: Use a power bank with a proper cable
Some people power a router from a power bank using a special USB to DC cable. This can work, but not every power bank or cable suits every router, and some power banks switch off by themselves when the load is small. Test it before you need it. Buy from a reliable seller, match the voltage printed on your adapter, and avoid unmarked cables, which can overheat.
Option 4: Use the IPS you already have
Many households already have an IPS (instant power supply) for lights and fans. A router uses little power compared with a fan, so plugging it in is possible. Make sure the socket you use is on the IPS line, check the IPS capacity first, and see how long its battery already lasts during load shedding.
Option 5: Keep a portable router for backup
A battery powered portable Wi-Fi router with a SIM slot connects through mobile data. It does not depend on home power or the broadband line, but it needs a charged battery and mobile network coverage. Battery life, speed and coverage differ by model and by area, so check the specifications and test the signal at home. Buyers can compare portable Wi-Fi routers by specification on BDStall before choosing.
Small habits that help
Charge phones, laptops and power banks before the usual load shedding hours.
Download lectures, files and documents while the power is on, so you can work offline.
Save your work often and switch the laptop to battery saver mode.
Keep the router away from heat and dust, and do not use a damaged adapter or cable.
Power cuts are hard to control, but a short break in the power need not mean a long break in the internet. Choose the simplest option that fits your need and budget, and be clear about what a backup can and cannot do.
