The optimal reconfiguration of distribution networks (DM) represents the problem of determining the radial topology of the network, which achieves optimal operating conditions for the network or which ensures the re-establishment of the power supply of part or the entire network after the occurrence of a failure. By coordinated changing the position of the switching equipment within the DM, it is possible to determine and operationally implement the radial topology of the DM, which will ensure safe and high-quality power supply to consumers, i.e. the connection of distributed sources in the network. In the process of determining the optimal topology, in addition to ensuring the radial structure of the network, account must be taken of operational limitations (voltage conditions, load of network elements, availability of elements), i.e. ensuring the quality of electricity for end users. In modern DMs, they are managed remotely from control centers. Advances in ICT technology enable automatic management of a large part of DM through a management system (DMS‐Distribution Management System) which is integrated at the level of DM management centers. DMS can be used by SCADA and telecommunication systems and power infrastructure for remote control of substations and other equipment. Structural changes of the DM for the purpose of re-establishing the power supply or optimizing the operating conditions in the DM represent one of the fundamental functions of an advanced DM management system. A wide range of methods are used to solve the problem of optimal DM reconfiguration, therefore, this paper provides an overview and categorization of methods for solving this problem. An overview of the methods is given in the form of an overview of their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the possibilities and limitations of their application. Most of the approaches are used to determine the optimal topology of the DM with the purpose of minimizing the losses of working power/energy or equalizing the degree of load in a part or at the level of the whole DM. In addition, approaches aimed at equalizing the DM voltage profile have also been developed. The paper will give an overview of different groups of methods such as heuristic, meta-heuristic, fuzzy logic and mathematical programming methods. The work focuses on the specifics related to a particular group of methods, such as the way of forming the initial population, defining the operational limitations, coding, how to obtain the optimal solution, etc. In most of the existing methods, it is not possible to find the optimal global solution due to the large number of possible combinations of radial topologies, that is why the best approach to solving such a problem consists of combining the above methods.