Breakdown of Bei einer Störung starte ich den Router neu und richte das WLAN notfalls wieder ein.
und
and
ich
I
wieder
again
neu starten
to restart
der Router
the router
das WLAN
the Wi‑Fi
die Störung
the disruption
einrichten
to set up
bei
in case of
notfalls
if necessary
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching German grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Bei einer Störung starte ich den Router neu und richte das WLAN notfalls wieder ein.
What case does bei take here, and why is it einer Störung?
bei always takes the dative. Störung is feminine, so the dative singular article is einer: bei einer Störung. (Nominative/accusative would be eine; dative is einer.)
Could I say im Falle einer Störung or wenn es eine Störung gibt instead?
Yes.
- im Falle einer Störung is a bit more formal/bureaucratic.
- wenn es eine Störung gibt is a full clause and very clear.
- bei einer Störung is compact and idiomatic.
Why does the verb come right after Bei einer Störung?
German main clauses follow the verb‑second rule (V2). The prepositional phrase Bei einer Störung sits in first position, so the finite verb starte must come second: Bei einer Störung starte ich …
Why is it starte ich den Router neu and not starte ich neu den Router?
With this meaning (“restart”), neu belongs to the verbal idea and is placed after the direct object: den Router neu. neu den Router sounds unnatural here.
Is neustarten one word or two? What about the past participle?
Prefer neu starten as two words in standard writing. You will also see neustarten, especially in IT contexts, but many style guides still prefer the two‑word form. The past participle is neu gestartet (not neugestartet). The noun is der Neustart.
What does notfalls mean, and where does it go?
notfalls = “if necessary / if need be / as a last resort.” It’s a sentence adverb. Typical positions:
- At the start of the clause: Notfalls richte ich … wieder ein.
- Before the verb idea at the end: … richte das WLAN notfalls wieder ein.
Why is wieder before ein in richte … wieder ein?
Because einrichten is a separable verb. In main clauses, the separable particle ein goes to the end, and adverbs like wieder come before it: … wieder ein. In a subordinate clause: dass ich … wieder einrichte.
What’s the difference between wieder einrichten and neu einrichten?
- wieder einrichten: set it up again (restore it to working order).
- neu einrichten: set it up afresh/from scratch or with a new configuration.
Why use einrichten rather than installieren or einstellen?
- einrichten = set up/configure a system or service (SSID, password, etc.).
- installieren = install hardware/software.
- einstellen = adjust settings/parameters.
For Wi‑Fi, WLAN einrichten is the usual collocation.
What genders and cases are Router and WLAN here?
- der Router (masculine) → den Router in the accusative.
- das WLAN (neuter) → das WLAN in the accusative.
Both are direct objects of their verbs.
Do I need the article with WLAN? Can I omit it?
If you mean your specific network, use the article: das WLAN. In generic instructions, you may see the article dropped: WLAN einrichten. Both are common; with a concrete, known network, keep the article.
How do Germans pronounce Router and WLAN?
- Router: both [ʁuːtɐ] (like “roo‑ter”) and [ʁaʊ̯tɐ] (like “row‑ter”) are heard.
- WLAN: said as the letters, roughly “Vee‑lahn” (German W sounds like English V).
Why is there no comma before und?
Because und is simply coordinating two verb phrases with the same subject (ich). German doesn’t take a comma there.
Could I drop the article and say Bei Störung?
In running prose, that’s unusual. In notes/signs/headings you might see Bei Störungen …. Standard prose prefers Bei einer Störung or the plural Bei Störungen for a general statement.
Singular vs. plural: Bei einer Störung or Bei Störungen?
Both are possible.
- Bei einer Störung = in the event of a disruption (any single occurrence).
- Bei Störungen = in cases of disruptions (general, plural).
Can I move the prepositional phrase elsewhere?
Yes. Word order is flexible as long as V2 is respected:
- Ich starte bei einer Störung den Router neu …
- Ich starte den Router bei einer Störung neu …
Fronting it (as in the original) emphasizes the condition.
How would this look with a wenn clause?
Wenn es eine Störung gibt, starte ich den Router neu und richte das WLAN notfalls wieder ein.
(Note the verb‑final gibt and einrichte in the subordinate part if you continue it there.)
How do I say it in the perfect (past) tense?
Bei einer Störung habe ich den Router neu gestartet und das WLAN notfalls wieder eingerichtet.
Is einrichten separable, and what’s its past participle?
Yes, it’s separable (ein + richten).
- Finite: ich richte … ein
- Past participle: eingerichtet (e.g., Ich habe das WLAN eingerichtet.)
Should I use wieder, nochmal, or erneut here?
All can mean “again,” but register differs:
- wieder: neutral and standard here (wieder einrichten).
- erneut: a bit more formal.
- nochmal/noch einmal: more colloquial.
Here, wieder is the safest choice.
Is it wieder or wider?
Use wieder (“again”). wider means “against” and doesn’t fit here.