My reset button does not work. What should I do?

Ensure you are pressing the correct button (not WPS), use a thin tool, and hold for a full 15 seconds. Try the admin panel soft reset as an alternative.

Troubleshooting ›

How to Reset a Router to Factory Settings (Every Brand, 2026)

Q: Will factory resetting my router fix internet problems?

It can fix router configuration issues but not ISP outages or modem problems. Try rebooting first.

Q: Does factory resetting change my WiFi password?

Yes. WiFi name and password revert to the defaults on the router label.

Q: How long does a factory reset take?

About 3-4 minutes total. Reconfiguring settings afterward takes an additional 5-15 minutes.

Q: Can I undo a factory reset?

Only if you exported a settings backup beforehand. Otherwise, all custom settings are permanently erased.

Q: Will factory resetting remove a virus from my router?

Usually yes, but update firmware immediately after to patch the vulnerability that allowed the infection.

by Marcus Reed Updated May 22, 2022

Reset a Router to Its Factory Defaults to Access the Router's Settings Page — Figure 1 — How to Reset a Router to Factory Settings (Every Brand, 2026)

A factory reset erases every custom setting on your router and restores it to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box. This means the default WiFi name, default password, and all default configurations come back. It is the nuclear option for router troubleshooting—and sometimes the only option left.

This guide covers when and how to factory reset any router brand, what settings you will lose, and how to set everything up again afterward.

Key Takeaways

A factory reset erases your WiFi name, password, custom DNS, port forwarding, and all other settings.
Every router has a small reset button (usually recessed) that triggers the reset when held for 10–15 seconds.
You can also reset through the router's admin panel (soft reset) if you can still log in.
After resetting, use the default credentials on the router label to log in and reconfigure.
A "reboot" (power cycle) and a "factory reset" are different—reboot preserves settings, reset erases them.

When Should You Factory Reset Your Router?

Reason	Try First	Then Reset If Needed
Forgot router admin password	Try default credentials	Yes, reset required
WiFi not working after config change	Reboot the router	Yes, if reboot fails
Router infected with malware	Update firmware	Yes, reset + update firmware
Selling or giving away the router	N/A	Yes, to clear personal data
Persistent connectivity issues	All other troubleshooting	Yes, as last resort
Setting up a used router	N/A	Yes, start fresh

Method 1: Hard Reset Using the Reset Button

This works on every router brand, even if you cannot access the admin panel.

Locate the reset button on the back or bottom of the router. It is usually a small pinhole labeled "Reset" or "Restore Factory Settings."
With the router powered on, insert a paperclip, pen tip, or SIM card tool into the pinhole.
Press and hold the button for 10–15 seconds. You will see the lights on the router flash, blink rapidly, or all turn off and back on.
Release the button and wait 2–3 minutes for the router to fully reboot with factory settings.
The router is now reset. Connect to the default WiFi network (name and password on the label) and log in with default credentials.

Important: Do not unplug the router during the reset process. Interrupting the reset can corrupt the firmware and potentially brick the device.

Method 2: Soft Reset via the Admin Panel

If you can still log in to the router's admin panel, you can reset from the web interface. This is slightly safer as it performs a controlled reset.

Router Brand	Admin Panel Path
Netgear	Advanced → Administration → Backup Settings → Erase
TP-Link	System Tools → Factory Defaults → Restore
ASUS	Administration → Restore/Save/Upload Setting → Factory default
Linksys	Administration → Factory Defaults → Restore
D-Link	System → Restore → Restore to Factory Default
Xfinity Gateway	Troubleshooting → Reset/Restore Gateway → Restore Factory Settings

What You Lose After a Factory Reset

Custom WiFi network name (SSID) → reverts to default
Custom WiFi password → reverts to default on label
Admin password → reverts to default
Custom DNS settings
Port forwarding rules
Static IP assignments
QoS settings
Guest network configuration
Parental controls
MAC address filter lists
VPN configuration
Firmware is NOT affected (stays at current version)

How to Reconfigure Your Router After Reset

Connect to the default WiFi network using credentials on the router label.
Open a browser and go to the default IP address (also on the label).
Log in with the default admin credentials.
Change the admin password immediately.
Set your WiFi network name (SSID) and a strong password with WPA3 or WPA2-AES encryption.
Update the firmware to the latest version.
Reconfigure any custom settings (DNS, port forwarding, QoS, etc.).
Reconnect all your devices to the new WiFi network.

Pro Tip: Before factory resetting, many routers let you export your current settings to a backup file (look for "Backup Settings" or "Export Configuration" in the admin panel). After the reset, you can import this file to restore all your custom settings instantly.

Reboot vs. Reset: Know the Difference

Action	What It Does	Settings Preserved?	When to Use
Reboot (power cycle)	Turns router off and on	Yes, all settings preserved	First troubleshooting step
Soft reset (admin panel)	Restores factory defaults via software	No, all erased	When you can access admin panel
Hard reset (button)	Restores factory defaults via hardware	No, all erased	Locked out or persistent issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Will factory resetting my router fix internet problems?

It can fix router-side issues like corrupted settings, firmware glitches, and configuration conflicts. However, it will not fix ISP outages, modem problems, or wiring issues. Try simpler fixes like rebooting first.

Does factory resetting change my WiFi password?

Yes. Your WiFi name (SSID) and password revert to the defaults printed on the router label. All devices will need to reconnect with the default password, or you can set a new password and reconnect everything.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself takes 10–15 seconds (holding the button). The router then reboots, which takes 2–3 minutes. Total time: about 3–4 minutes. Reconfiguring your settings afterward takes an additional 5–15 minutes depending on complexity.

Can I undo a factory reset?

Only if you exported a settings backup before the reset. Without a backup, all custom settings are permanently erased and must be reconfigured manually.

Will factory resetting remove a virus from my router?

A factory reset removes most router malware because it restores the firmware to a clean state. However, you should also update the firmware immediately after resetting, as the malware may have entered through a vulnerability that the update patches.

My reset button does not seem to work. What should I do?

Make sure you are pressing the correct button (not the WPS button, which is usually larger). Use a thin tool like a paperclip and apply firm pressure. Hold it for a full 15 seconds with the router powered on. If it still does not work, the button mechanism may be faulty—try the admin panel soft reset method instead.

About Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed is a network technician and technical writer who has configured and troubleshot routers and modems across thousands of home and small business installations for major ISPs including Comcast, AT&T, and Spectrum. That field experience across different hardware, firmware versions, and ISP environments gives him a practical command of what goes wrong and why. At RouterHax, he covers brand-specific router setup guides, ISP modem compatibility, and step-by-step troubleshooting tutorials.