If you are setting up your router for the first time, there are a lot of settings to change, and it can be challenging to know how to start. One great way to simplify everything is by factory resetting the router, returning the router to default settings. 

This process should only take 5 minutes or less, depending on your model. In this how-to article, we will walk you through how to factory reset the router!

Why Perform a Factory Reset?

Resetting your router is one of the important things you must learn, especially when your internet goes down. Restarting your router will reset your connection settings, interrupt malicious attacks on your network, and boot off unwanted devices from your network.

It is also the sole method to regain access to a router’s web interface if you have forgotten the password. It’s essential to remember that when you reset your home router, you’ll lose all of your existing network settings, such as the name of your Wi-Fi network, its password, and so on.  

It is also advisable if you want to give your router a fresh start. Resetting the router will clear out all of the settings slowing down internet speed over time and restore it to optimal levels.

Factory Reset via Button

As we mentioned earlier, router factory resets are easy enough that most people will not need any specific instructions to complete them successfully. However, here’s our step-by-step guide for you to perform it on your router.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Find the router reset button on the back of your router. Hold this in for 30 seconds, and you should see the lights blinking, which means it’s starting to factory reset already.
2. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging everything from the router, including the power cord, and wait a few minutes before plugging it all back in again.
3. Plug-in back your router, and it should be working correctly.
4. Please wait for all lights on your wireless device to turn solid green before using it again.
5. Once everything is back to normal, log into your account and change any passwords or settings that may have been altered during the factory resetting process.

After resetting your router, you will notice that all of the router’s settings will be wiped clean. You may need to set up your router from scratch, but this is a common step when updating or migrating from one router model to another.

Reset Router via Web Interface

To be clear, resetting your router is not the same as restarting your router. A router reset will enable you to rebuild it from the ground up to operate at peak efficiency. Do this if you suspect a problem with your network or if you’ve increased your internet speed but aren’t getting the speed you’re meant to receive. 

Some routers don’t have a reset button. If your router is one of those, you should perform the factory reset via the web interface. Please note that restarting the router will erase all previous setting configurations, so make sure you save those before performing this action!

Make sure that you are connected to the internet while completing the router factory reset procedure since network data may be lost or disrupted throughout the whole router refresh process.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. The first thing you should do is open your browser. It could be Chrome, Firefox, etc.
2. On the search field, type your router’s IP address
3. Enter your username and password when prompted. 
4. Go to System or System Tools
5. Look for Restore or Factory Default.
6. Click Restore or Reset and OK to confirm
7. Wait for the router to reboot

To avoid your router being locked out, you should factory reset the router one time at a maximum in the last 90 days. Make sure not to forget the router username, password, and IP. Make sure you write it down before starting to factory reset the router.

Common Mistakes Doing at Home Factory Reset

• Reset the router to default with the wrong settings menu on the router or web browser
• Forgot router IP, username, and password
• Reset router to default factory settings too many times in a row (will lock you out)
• Failed router reset is not covered by warranty

Other Forms of Factory Reset

Hard Resets

Hard resets are the most severe router reset when an administrator forgets the password or locks and starts from scratch. Some router manufacturers may prefer resetting their router, and some methods may vary depending on the router.

To avoid problems accessing the online internet, disconnect the broadband modem from the router before executing a hard reset. If the base 60 – minute solution does not work, the 30-second solution will automatically disable reset. Hard resets don’t remove the currently installed firmware or back them.

Power Cycling

This method is used to fix errors that cause the router to lose the connection. Power cycles do not erase passwords, keys, or security settings stored with a router’s console. When a hard reset is performed, the router requires starting up once the power supply is restored.

Other people waited just 30 minutes as a habit, but no longer than 10 seconds between unplugging and reconnecting the cords.

How to Prevent Router Issues

Resetting your router to factory settings is one way of taking care of your router. Treating your wireless router like the computational powerhouse may help you realize how important it is to maintain it to keep your Wi-Fi operating as smoothly as possible. 

Routers, like any computer, may become flaky or unstable if they are kept on for an extended period, if they overheat, or if the operating system or firmware becomes out of the current. It is critical to do the following to maintain your router in good working order:

• Keep the firmware on your router up to date.
• To avoid overheating, keep your router away from heat sources and in a location with good circulation.
• Regularly reboot your router.

Factory Reset FAQs

What will happen if I reset my router to factory settings?

When you reset your router to the factory setting, all the settings will be restored to their default values. It is possible that some router features may not work after resetting because these router’s features were initially set up in a previous device, and you have failed to recreate them even though they no longer exist on your new router model.

Does resetting my router to a factory setting affect my internet connection?

Yes, because factory reset will wipe all your router settings, including the Wi-Fi name and password. But don’t worry, as it will be back to its standard when the resetting is done.

Are factory reset and hard reset the same thing?

Hard resets refer to the resetting of any hardware in the system, whereas factory resets refer to the rebooting of the entire system. 

Is it a good idea to do a factory reset?

Yes, resetting does not harm your phone, even if you do it several times, but make sure you do it properly to avoid router errors.

Conclusion

Resetting a router to its factory settings is not as difficult as you may think. You’ve learned how to use the router’s button and the web interface to do a factory reset. We are confident that you can now do it on your own. 

You’ve also learned about router lockouts and how many times you should factory reset your router in succession before fully locking yourself out. We hope that you’ve enjoyed this article!