How to Factory Reset a Router
A factory reset is the nuclear option — it erases every setting and returns the router to its original out-of-box state. Use it as a last resort when locked out or troubleshooting a problem that cannot be fixed any other way.
When Should You Factory Reset?
A factory reset is the right choice in a few specific situations: you have forgotten the admin password and cannot access the router panel at all, the router is behaving so erratically that no configuration change fixes it, you are selling or giving away the router and want to erase your settings, or you are setting up a used router and want to start clean.
Before resetting, try these faster options that preserve your settings: restart the router (unplug for 30 seconds), clear your browser cache and try a different browser, try connecting via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, or check that your device is on the correct network. A full factory reset should be the last step, not the first.
A factory reset permanently erases: your Wi-Fi name, Wi-Fi password, admin password, port forwarding rules, DNS settings, parental controls, guest network, static DHCP reservations, and all other custom configurations. You will need to set everything up from scratch afterward.
Back Up First (If You Can Still Log In)
If you can still access the router admin panel, back up your configuration before resetting. Look for a Backup or Export Settings option under Administration, Management, or System. This saves a configuration file you can restore after the reset, avoiding the need to manually re-enter all your settings.
The backup location varies by brand: Netgear uses Advanced → Administration → Backup Settings. TP-Link uses Advanced → System Tools → Backup & Restore. Asus uses Administration → Restore/Save/Upload Setting. D-Link uses Tools → System → Save Configuration.
How to Factory Reset Using the Reset Button
The reset button is a small pinhole button on the back or bottom of the router, usually labeled Reset or RST. It is deliberately recessed to prevent accidental presses. You will need a straightened paperclip, a SIM ejector pin, or a toothpick to press it. Do not use anything that can break off inside the hole.
The router must be powered on and fully booted before you attempt the reset. If you just plugged it in, wait 90 seconds for it to finish booting. Pressing reset on a router that is still starting up can cause firmware corruption and a much bigger problem than a forgotten password.
Insert the paperclip into the reset pinhole and press firmly. Hold it continuously. Different router models require different hold times — most need 10 to 15 seconds, some require up to 30 seconds. You will know the reset has started when the indicator lights on the router flash, change pattern, or turn off briefly and restart.
Release the reset button once the lights indicate the reset has started. The router will reboot automatically, which takes 60 to 90 seconds. Do not power off the router while it is rebooting after a reset — you can corrupt the firmware.
Once the router finishes rebooting, connect to the default Wi-Fi network (if it broadcasts one) or plug in via Ethernet. Open a browser and go to your router's default IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Log in with the factory credentials printed on the sticker on the bottom or back of the router.
Reset Button Hold Times by Brand
| Brand | Hold Time | Reset Indicator | Default Login After Reset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netgear | 7 seconds | Power LED blinks amber | admin / password |
| TP-Link | 5 seconds | All LEDs flash simultaneously | admin / admin (older) or set new password |
| Linksys | 10 seconds | All LEDs flash orange | admin / admin |
| D-Link | 10 seconds | Power LED blinks | admin / blank password |
| Asus | 5–10 seconds | Power LED flashes slowly | admin / admin |
| Arris (Comcast) | 30 seconds | All LEDs turn off then restart | admin / password |
| BT Hub | 20 seconds (back button) | Hub lights cycle | Unique (see hub label) |
What to Do After the Reset
After a factory reset, your router is in the same state it was when it left the factory. You need to reconfigure everything. Work through this checklist:
- Change the admin password from the factory default
- Set your Wi-Fi name (SSID) to something you recognize
- Set a strong Wi-Fi password and note it down
- Set the wireless security mode to WPA3 or WPA2-AES
- Disable WPS in the wireless settings
- Recreate any port forwarding rules you had
- Set up the guest network again if you used one
- Restore parental controls and DNS settings
- Update firmware — the factory firmware may be outdated
If you made a configuration backup before resetting, restore it now via the same Backup/Restore menu in the router admin panel. This reinstates all your settings except the admin and Wi-Fi passwords, which you will need to set fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset fix my internet connection problems?
It depends on the cause. If the problem is a corrupted router configuration, stale DHCP table, or botched setting change, a factory reset will fix it. If the problem is with your ISP's line, your modem, or physical cabling, resetting the router will not help. Try power cycling the router and modem first. If the internet works via Ethernet but not Wi-Fi, the problem is in the wireless settings, which you can fix without resetting.
I pressed reset but the router still has my old settings — why?
You probably did not hold the button long enough. Most routers require a continuous hold of 10 to 30 seconds — a quick press just reboots the device without erasing settings. Try again and hold until the LEDs clearly change pattern or turn off. If the router has a front-facing indicator, watch it carefully for the reset confirmation signal.
My router has no reset button — how do I reset it?
Some routers, particularly ISP-provided gateway units, can only be reset from within the admin panel (look for a Factory Reset option under Administration) or by contacting the ISP who provided the unit. Some very old models use a small switch rather than a pinhole button — check the sides and underside of the unit carefully. If you genuinely cannot find a reset mechanism, the ISP can often reset it remotely.