How to Factory Reset Your Router

Resetting a router can be necessary to troubleshoot network issues, address security concerns, or prepare the router for resale or donation. The process restores the device to its original factory settings, erasing any custom configurations. In this guide, we’ll outline the steps to reset a router, including locating the reset button, performing the reset process, and reconfiguring the router’s settings afterward to ensure proper network functionality.

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Table of Contents

1. What to Know Before Resetting Your Router
2. Why You Need a Factory Reset
3. How to Reset Your Router
4. How to Restore Router Customization Settings
5. Router Reset Troubleshooting Tips
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting Your Router

What to Know Before Resetting Your Router

A router reset will restore the device—whether it’s an ISP-provided router or a TP-Link router you purchased—to its original factory settings. All configurations and customizations made since its initial setup will be erased permanently. This means a loss of network settings, including Wi-Fi network names and passwords, port forwarding configurations, firewall settings, and any other personalized settings. As a result, it’s essential to make note of all custom configurations beforehand, so you can reconfigure them after the reset.

A router reset is a last resort when troubleshooting complex network issues that other means can’t resolve. Before initiating a reset, explore alternative Wi-Fi troubleshooting methods and ensure you have exhausted all other options. Performing a router reset will temporarily disrupt network connectivity for all devices connected to the router, so it’s advisable to notify everyone in the household in advance to plan for necessary downtime.

Resetting vs. Rebooting Your Router

Resetting and rebooting your router are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but are vastly different — and mixing them up could land you with the wrong outcome.

• Router Reset: Also known as a factory reset or hard reset, involves restoring the router to its original factory settings. The reset effectively wipes out all configurations, including network settings, passwords, and any other customized settings. The router returns to a state similar to when it was first unboxed.
• Router Reboot: A router reboot (or restart) involves simply turning off the router and then turning it back on again. Unlike a reset, a reboot doesn’t erase any configurations or settings but refreshes the router’s operating system and network connections.

Here’s when you’ll want to choose resetting or rebooting your router.

There are a few common misconceptions about resetting (or rebooting) your router. As you’re looking for your reset button, you may notice the WPS button, but this handles something else. WPS is a temporary pairing feature that lets a device join your Wi-Fi without typing the password. It doesn’t reboot the router, erase settings, or restore factory defaults as a real reset does.

You may also be familiar with the 30-30-30 method, but this process is now outdated. It was meant to fully clear settings on early routers by holding the reset button through power cycles. Modern routers don’t use memory in a way that requires this process, so it provides no benefit beyond a normal factory reset. On newer hardware, it can even cause firmware or recovery-mode issues rather than help.

Why You Need a Router Factory Reset

A few typical situations exist where a factory reset is the best method of resolving issues with your equipment. The most common circumstances include the following:

• You have persistent and unresolved network issues that other troubleshooting methods can’t remedy.
• Your router is impaired by malware or security breaches, and restoring to factory settings is necessary to ensure the complete removal of malicious software.
• You’re preparing to sell or give away the router and want to ensure the removal of all personal configurations and data.
• You have severe software glitches or firmware issues that remain unresolved through software updates or reboots.
• You’ve forgotten administrative passwords or lack access to router settings, and need to perform a reset to regain control.
• You have significant configuration errors that have rendered the router’s functionality unusable, and which manual adjustments cannot rectify.

How to Reset Your Router in 4 Steps

Resetting your router is a fairly simple process that may vary slightly depending on your device’s manufacturer. You can consult your router’s manual for information on a device reset. If you no longer have the manual handy, you can usually find a copy online through your router’s manufacturer.

1. Power On the Router

Your device must remain powered on during the reset. Don’t unplug the device before hitting reset.

2. Find the Reset Button

Check your router to find the reset button. Usually, the button is on the back or side of the router and may be accessed with the touch of a finger or by using a tool to reach inside a small narrow opening. The location is generally labeled, either with the word “Reset” or with two arrows in a circular motion.

On my Eero device, the reset symbol denotes the button, while the router provided by my ISP, Spectrum, features both a named label and a symbol. Depending on your manufacturer, this will be denoted in varying ways.

Issues like this are a great example of when buying your own router over renting can be beneficial. With my Eero Pro 6, I can choose to factory reset right on the app. Other router brands, such as Asus and Google, also offer these features. So if you’re thinking about upgrading to an Asus RT-AX86U Pro or adding a mesh network with an Eero 7, this could be an added benefit that further enhances your home internet experience.

3. Press the Reset Button

The way you press the reset button will depend on your device. While some have a traditional button you can press with your finger, pressing some reset buttons will require using a paper clip or a pin to access it.

No matter which method is required for your specific router, press and hold the reset button for 5–15 seconds, then wait for the reset confirmation. You’ll see an LED light to indicate the reset — that’s your cue to release the button to complete the reset.

4. Test Network Connectivity

Once the device has powered back on, test the network. You’ll need to log in using the default credentials to check that you can maintain a connection without issues. Once you’ve tested that the network is back up and running, you’re ready to get your router customizations (Wi-Fi name and password, security features, etc) back in place.

How to Restore Router Customization Settings

Once you’ve completed the factory reset, you’ll need to reestablish customized settings on your router. Using unique customization settings establishes a secure home network, so you must reconfigure those settings following a reset.

While the steps outlined below feature directions for accessing and updating this information using a computer, you may be able to change these settings in your ISP or router manufacturer’s app. My Eero router, for example, features app-only settings for configuring all router settings.

Change Router Login Credentials

To update your router’s login credentials, you’ll need to locate your router’s IP address. This information is typically located on the device itself.

1. Enter your router’s IP address in the search bar of a web browser.
2. Log in to the router’s administration interface using the default username and password.
3. Navigate to the Administration or System settings section.
4. Locate the option to change the router’s login credentials and follow the prompts to enter a new username and password.

Change Wi-Fi Login Credentials

Resetting your router returns your Wi-Fi login credentials to the default setting, which you received when you initially purchased or were supplied with your router. To maintain safety for your home network, change your Wi-Fi name and password.

1. Log in to your router’s administration interface.
2. Navigate to the Wi-Fi section.
3. Change your Username and Password.

Configure Wi-Fi Network Settings

Once you’re inside the Wi-Fi settings on your router, you can configure your preferred settings. Some examples include:

• Enabling encryption protocols such as WPA2 or WPA3 for enhanced security.
• Switching Wi-Fi frequencies between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
• Resetting the bandwidth mode for 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz networks.

Update Firmware

Typically, firmware remains unchanged following a factory reset, but it’s still a good idea to verify that you’re using the latest upgrade for your device’s safety and efficiency.

1. Access the router’s administration interface using the default login credentials.
2. Navigate to the firmware update section, usually found under Administration or Advanced Settings.
3. Check for available firmware updates and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version.

Router Reset Troubleshooting Tips

After you perform a factory reset and reconfigure the router, you may face some issues that require troubleshooting. Most of these fixes need to be completed inside the admin panel. How you access this will vary based on your computer’s operating system (Windows or Mac) and your router’s manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting Your Router

Does unplugging a router reset it?

Simply unplugging a router doesn’t reset it to factory settings. Unplugging a router is a method of rebooting or restarting it. When a router is unplugged from its power source, it simply turns off and ceases its operations. This action does not erase any configurations or settings stored in the router’s memory.

Is it safe to reset my Wi-Fi router?

Resetting a Wi-Fi router is safe and often necessary for troubleshooting some network issues. To avoid any issues during and following a reset, back up any important configurations and ensure that you have access to the default login credentials.

How often should I reset my router?

Routers typically don’t need to be reset regularly. While a reboot is recommended every few months, a reset should only be executed when other troubleshooting processes have proven unsuccessful.

How long does a router take to reset?

A router reset typically takes one to five minutes. However, that can vary depending on the model, its processing power, and the complexity of its firmware. Factors such as the number of devices connected to the router and the complexity of its configuration can also impact the reset time.

Where to find the factory Reset button on an Eero Pro 6?

On an Eero Pro 6, the factory reset button is on the bottom of the device. You’ll see a small, white button that blends easily into the back of the router. You can press it with your finger (no small tool needed) to reset.

How do I reset mesh nodes?

The process for resetting mesh nodes is the same as resetting the parent node. Since the devices are the same, you’ll find the reset button in the same locations. If you reset a mesh node, it can help fix issues with that particular node, but not for the parent node, so you may still notice some issues if you don’t reset both.