How to Reset a WiFi Router (Step-by-Step Guide for All Routers)

Sometimes, fixing internet issues only requires resetting your Wi-Fi router. This means that you can resolve a number of issues, such as slow speed, forgotten password, or network errors, by simply resetting your Wi-Fi router. Whether you have a complete office setup or you are using a home router, this guide will provide you with the steps for how to reset router easily and safely.

When is it required to reset a Wi-Fi router?

There are different situations when resetting a Wi-Fi router can be beneficial for you.

Your internet connection keeps dropping.
The speed of Wi-Fi is quite slow.
You do not remember the Wi-Fi password or login details.
The router is not responding properly.

Types of Router Reset

Before learning how do you reset a WiFi router, you should know that there are two primary types of resets:

Soft Reset (Reboot): Simply turning the router off and on again; this does not erase configurations.
Hard Reset (Factory Reset): This brings the router back to its out-of-the-box state.

Even though the hard reset is the most drastic approach, the guide will still mainly talk about it since it gets rid of most recurring problems.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Resetting a Wireless Router

Keep the Router Powered On

The router should be connected to the power supply and switched on. If the router is switched off, a reset will not be effective.

Find the Reset Switch

Discover the tiny reset hole or switch at the rear or underneath the router; mostly, it is marked as “Reset”.

Press and Keep the Reset Switch Down

Use a paper clip, pin, or any similar object to press and keep the reset button down for 10-30 seconds. The actual time may vary with the router type.

Observe the Indicator Lights

The router’s lights may flash or go off and on while you hold the button. This means the reset is in progress.

Let Go and Wait

Let go of the reset button and wait for 2-5 minutes, during which time the router will restart and return to the factory settings.

Complete the router configuration after resetting the Wi-Fi router

After the router reset is done, it has to be configured again:

Use an Ethernet cable or the router’s printed default Wi-Fi credentials to connect your device to the router.
Start a web browser and input the default IP address of the router (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
Using the default username and password, log in.
Pick a new Wi-Fi name and a strong password.
Once the settings are saved, reconnect your devices.

Important things to keep in mind

If resetting is necessary, router settings should be backed up first, if at all possible.
Only do factory resets as a last resort, not as a regular maintenance method.
Securing the router in a ventilated area will help reduce the chances of overheating.
Resetting the router is a good time to do a firmware upgrade for better security and performance.

Lastly, we also recommend using the website Datarecovee to learn more about Wi-Fi issues and how to resolve them.