How to reset Linksys router
In this article, we will discuss how to reset tLinksys router.
Before you press the reset button, you must be aware that you are going to lose all the settings of your network.
Your device will come back to the factory default settings and you will need to reconfigure it from the beginning.
Here is what you will find in this article. Click on any link below to go directly to the link section in this article.
- How to reset Linksys router
- Linksys router blinking or flashing power light?
- How to unbrick Linksys router?
- Management mode – Firmware upgrade
- Soft Reset – Hard reset
- What to do after you reset Linksys router
Let us start with the reset process.
Step 1: Find the reset button on your router.
There is a small reset button on the rear panel of the router. Generally Linksys routers have reset button on the rear panel where you connect the Ethernet cables.
In case of WRT series of routers, small red colored hole on the back panel. In case of new E series routers E4200, E3200, E1200, E2500, E1550, E1500, the reset button is at the bottom side. You will need to turn the device upside down.
Step 2: Press the reset button.
As per the manual you need to press the reset button for 10 seconds. Use a ball point pen or paper clip. I will suggest you to and hold it at least for 20 seconds. While pressing the reset button, you will see the power light blinking.
Watch the Video
Step 3: Release the reset button.
Release the button and wait for approximately 30 seconds till the lights become normal on the device.
Step4: Unplug the power cable.
Unplug the power from the back side of the device. Wait for 20 seconds and plug it back in.
Step5: Let the router boot up.
Wait for 30 seconds till all the lights turn ON and power light will become solid.
Step 6:Done
Your router is now back to factory default settings. You will now need to run the CD for reconfiguration. Or you can setup your device manually, without CD. Just open the setup page and change the settings to create a new network. See How to setup Linksys router
What to do if you see Linksys router blinking power light?
If you see Linksys router blinking power light continuously, then there is a serious problem with your device. It might be bricked. Try to reset the router 2 – 3 times and check to see if the Linksys router blinking power light becomes solid.
If the power light is still blinking then you can try 30-30 reset on your router.
- Unplug all the cables from the device except power cable.
- Press and hold the reset button on the device for 30 seconds.
- Release the reset button.
- Unplug the power cable.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Plugin the power cable.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Check if the power is still blinking or flashing.
If the power light is not blinking anymore then it is good to go. If the power light is still flashing then try to repeat the same process again. Try it 2 – 3 times.
If you still see Linksys router blinking power light then you may need to get a new device or replace this one if in warranty period.
How to unbrick Linksys router:
Bricked is when your fancy piece of electronic kit becomes a worthless lump of plastic because the firmware has crashed and it won’t boot.
This usually happens only during an upgrade if you make the mistake if unplugging it or rebooting it halfway through.
- Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds.
- Do not release the reset button and unplug the power cable. Keep it unplugged for 10 seconds while you are still holding the reset.
- Plug in the power cable while you are still holding the reset. Release the reset button 30 seconds after plugging the power cable.
- Wait for 30 seconds and see if the power light becomes solid.
If the power light is solid then try to access the setup page using the default IP address 192.168.1.1. Make sure that your computer is connected with the Ethernet cable for the reconfiguration. Do not change the router settings using a wireless computer. Use wired computer instead.
Management mode – firmware upgrade
In some cases, you will see Management mode – firmware upgrade when you try to access the setup page.
This may happen because of improper reset or boot up process. You can download the latest firmware and save it on your computer. Check the correct model number and version number of your device and download the correct firmware file.
Do not upgrade the firmware using wireless computer. Use a wired computer to upgrade the firmware.
On the same Management mode page, you find the option to select the firmware file to upgrade it.
Do not use back up configuration if you are trying to upgrade the firmware. Always reconfigure manually after the firmware upgrade.
After upgrading the firmware, reset the Linksys router and reconfigure it from scratch.
What is SOFT and HARD reset?
There is another way of resetting. If you are able to access the setup page of Linksys router then you can reset the router using web based setup page. This process is called soft reset (software reset).
Open the setup page of the router. Click on “Administration” tab then go to “Factory Defaults” sub tab. You will find the option to “Restore factory defaults”.
Hard reset is nothing but the same process we discussed above. It is hardware reset by pressing the device reset button manually.
What to do after you reset Linksys router?
When you reset Linksys router, it comes back to factory default settings. It is just like what you bought the new device.
All the previous settings of wired or wireless network are gone. You need to reconfigure the device from the scratch.
If you have installation software or CD, then run the installation program and re-configure it.
If you do not have CD or installation program then you can do it manually.
Check this link for how to setup Linksys router step by step.
Make sure to change the router password as the device is at factory default settings. It is using default password of the device. So change the password.
Also create new Wireless network. Make it secured. Remember the new wireless network password.
The power light is blinking on my router. I tried to reset Linksys router and it is still blinking. I tried it for long time but still the same thing. I guess the router is broken now and I may need a new one.
Reset not working.
My WRT45G Ver2 cant access to 192.168.1.1 since few days ago. And i try to reset it as usual but the reset button does not work even if I hold it down for more than 1 minute.
Can not connect to the wireless network on new laptop. Other old laptop is connected and I can access Internet on old one. But the new one has problem connecting to WiFi. I t is running on Windows 7. When I enter the network key, it stays there and says not connected.
Also want to know the guest network password? I did not install Cisco connect software so I am not sure where to find these settings. When I try to open 192.168.1.1 and it also requires a password. I tried default password admin, but that did not work. How do I find security key? Do I need to reset if I don’t know the log in details?
If I press the reset on the router, will that reset the wireless password also.
I am looking for wireless network password. Don’t know anything about networking.
Need help
Trying to reconfigure my WRT120N with the new cable Internet service. Can not access the setup page. Tried everything but no luck. Each time I try to open the setup page, I get error 401 .
My son pressed the reset accidentally and since then I am not able to go online on my laptop. The video on YouTube is really good. Also the steps to setup process in your guide is really easy. I was able to reconfigure my entire network.
Your video on youtube is very good. I was finally able to reset my router and open the configuration page. I wanted to secure my network and that is why I had to open the setup page. Thanks for the help.
I did 30-30-30 reset and got my working again. I have WRt54G model. My Linksys router power light blinking continuously. I pressed the button for 30 seconds. and got the power light solid finally. Thanks for your help.
How to reset password?
I have got older WRT120N, just bought from online used device. I am trying to set it up without installation CD. I got to the point where I need to enter the default password admin. I tried that many times but it is not working. I also followed the 30-30 reset process but the password is not accepted. Is my device locked? Do I need to return it. They have 15 days return policy. If I am not able to open the setup page then there is no use of this box. Right?
How to reset E3000 if I am not able to unscrew it? My device is not on the desk, it is mounted at the ceiling. I have a computer connected with the Ethernet cable but I can not access the setup page.
Can not find reset button on WRT54GC. It is not at the bottom or the flip side. How to reset Linksys WRT54GC using webpage? I am able to open the settings page. Where do I go on the settings page? I am not sure what I am doing.
How do I unbrick my old Linksys WRT54G ? It is version 5 and I tried to upgrade the firmware on it. I followed the firmware upgrade instruction and power cycled . Now the power light is blinking rapidly and I can not access Internet through Linksys WRT54G.
I am not able to change the settings of my Linksys E3200 using Cisco connect. I tried to install it manually but can not access Internet when installed manually. I am not sure what settings do I need to change so that I can install it manually.
Trying to reset Linksys E3200 because I am not able to connect to the wireless network. I am not sure about WPA key and don’t know how to find it.
thanks for your help. I was not able to secure my WRT160N because of my old computer. Your technician helped me to configure a new wireless network with the new security settings. I believe my network is secured now and no one will access it without my permission.
Can not access the setup page of E3000. I have been using this model for more than a year and I never had any problem. Now I want to change the password of my network but I can not log in. What is the default password ?
How to access setup page of WRT54G ? I tried 192.168.1.1 but it is not opening anything. I have DSL Internet connection. I don’t want to lose my settings. What could be the IP address of my device?
I did try to press the small red colored button but the power light is not blinking. I can not access the 192.168.1.1 page because the password is not accepted. I have WRT120N
My old WRT54G is not sending signals. I don’t see WLAN light and the power light is blinking. It is version 5 model. I am also trying to setup WRT120N but I can not access the setup. I do not have CD.
I was trying to access the setup page using 192.168.1.1 but it says 401 unauthorized all the time. What is the default password of E3200 ?