How to Factory Reset Your Router
A factory reset wipes the router back to its default settings — useful when you forgot the password or the device is misbehaving.
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Quick answer
Locate the small RESET hole at the back of your router, insert a paperclip, and hold for 30 seconds while the router is powered on. Release; the lights will blink and the router reboots with factory defaults. You'll need to reconnect to the default Wi-Fi (printed on the sticker) and re-enter the admin password (usually admin / admin).
A factory reset returns your router to the exact state it had when you bought it. Every change you've ever made — custom Wi-Fi name, password, port forwards, parental controls, MAC filtering, firmware-saved profiles — is wiped. Use it as a last resort for unrecoverable lockouts, mysterious slowdowns, or before selling/donating the device.
WarningYou will lose all custom settings. If possible, log into the admin panel first and back up your configuration to a file. Most routers have a Backup & Restore section under the System or Maintenance menu.
Method 1 — Hardware reset (works on every router)
- Keep the router plugged in and powered on. Don't unplug it.
- Locate the small recessed button labelled RESET on the back or bottom — it's usually a tiny hole the size of a pinhead.
- Straighten a paperclip (or use the SIM tool from a phone) and gently press the button inside the hole.
- Hold for 30 seconds. The power and status LEDs will blink, then go dark, then come back on.
- Release the button. Wait 1–2 minutes for the full reboot.
Method 2 — The 30-30-30 method (stubborn models)
Some older or off-brand routers need a more aggressive reset. The "30-30-30" trick clears both the running config and the NVRAM:
- Hold the reset button for 30 seconds while the router is on.
- Still holding it, unplug the power and keep holding for another 30 seconds.
- Still holding, plug the power back in and hold for a final 30 seconds (90 seconds total).
- Release. Allow 2 minutes for full boot.
CaveatDo not use 30-30-30 on modern consumer routers (Linksys EA-series, Netgear Nighthawk, ASUS RT-AX, TP-Link Archer AX). The standard 30-second hold is enough and the longer method can put some models into an unrecoverable bootloader state.
Method 3 — Software reset (if you can still log in)
If the admin interface still loads but you want a clean slate without crawling behind furniture:
- Open the router login page (visit our home page for help finding the right IP).
- Sign in.
- Navigate to System Tools → Factory Defaults (TP-Link), Administration → Restore Factory Defaults (ASUS), Advanced → Administration → Backup Settings (Netgear), or similar.
- Click Restore. Wait for the router to reboot.
What changes after a reset
| Setting | Resets to |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi name (SSID) | Default printed on the router sticker |
| Wi-Fi password | Default printed on the router sticker |
| Admin username | admin on most models |
| Admin password | admin, password, or blank on most models |
| Router IP address | 192.168.1.1 / 192.168.0.1 (varies by brand) |
| Port forwarding | Erased — must be re-created |
| Connected devices history | Cleared |
| Firmware version | Unchanged — reset does not roll back firmware |
After the reset — first 5 things to do
- Connect to the default Wi-Fi printed on the sticker (e.g.
TP-Link_2A4F). - Log into the admin panel with the default credentials.
- Change the admin password immediately — never leave it as default.
- Set your own Wi-Fi name and password (use at least 12 characters, mix letters/numbers/symbols).
- Check for firmware updates under System / Administration.
Troubleshooting
Nothing happens when I hold the button. Confirm the router is powered on — the reset button is inactive when the device is off. Hold for the full 30 seconds, even if the lights look unchanged at first.
Lights blink but I can't connect afterward. Forget the network on your device, scan again, and connect to the default SSID printed on the sticker. Your old Wi-Fi name is gone.
Router won't boot back up. Unplug the power, wait 60 seconds, plug back in. If it remains dark for more than 5 minutes, the reset may have failed mid-process — consult the manufacturer's recovery / TFTP procedure for your specific model.
Frequently asked questions
Will a factory reset fix slow Wi-Fi?
Sometimes — if the slowdown was caused by corrupted config or a runaway QoS rule. More often, slow Wi-Fi is caused by interference, distance, or ISP issues. Try restarting the router first; if that doesn't help, then reset.
Does resetting the router change my internet plan or ISP login?
No. The ISP authenticates your modem/router by MAC address or a PPPoE login stored on the device. After a reset you may need to re-enter the PPPoE username/password your ISP gave you, but your plan and public IP don't change.
How is a reset different from a reboot?
A reboot turns the router off and on, keeping all settings. A reset wipes settings back to factory defaults. Reboot first; reset only if rebooting doesn't fix the problem.
I forgot the admin password — will resetting help?
Yes. A factory reset restores the default admin credentials printed on the device sticker (typically
admin / admin). This is the standard recovery path when you've lost the password.Will I need to reconfigure my ISP-supplied modem-router combo?
Often yes. If the ISP pre-configured your device with PPPoE credentials or a specific VLAN tag, a factory reset removes them. Note the settings before resetting, or contact your ISP for the values before you start.