How to reset your rooter

If your router encounters connectivity issues, one of the first recommendations you will get from friends or internet forums is to reset it. The problem is that many people don’t even know what the term “reset” means. Some people use this term interchangeably with rebooting or restarting.

 

However, resetting and restarting are two different terms, and the procedures for doing each of them differs as well. Restarting any digital device simply means powering it off and then powering it on again. On the other hand, resetting refers to the process of restoring your device to its default/factory settings.

 

In this article, our focus is on resetting. I will take you through the step-by-step procedure that you can use to restore your router’s settings to the default. But before we get into these procedures, let me first share with you some of the reasons why you may consider resetting your router.

 

Why you may consider resetting your router

1. Connectivity issues

One of the common reasons that may force you to consider resetting your router is when you have issues connecting your device to the router network or the internet in general. When several devices connect to the same network, there are chances of getting IP conflicts amongst the different devices, which in the end leads to poor or no signal for some devices.

 

If rebooting doesn’t fix this issue, the only available option you will remain with is resetting the router.

 

2. Forgot router password

Besides connectivity issues, another common reason that might force you to rest your router is when you forget your WIFI password. Without the password, you will have no access to your router’s WIFI network, so the only option you’ll have at this point is resetting the router back to its factory settings.

 

3. To prevent malware attacks

Resetting your router after some time is one of the recommended remedies for preventing it from getting attacked by malware. Experts also recommend rebooting your router at least once every day as a way of breaking down the cycles of possible malware attacks.

 

How to reset your router

Now that we know why it is necessary to reset a router let’s get into the step-by-step procedure that anyone can use to reset it. Let’s dive in!

 

Start with rebooting

Resetting a router is usually a longer process than rebooting, and we only recommend doing it if you have to. For some minor connectivity or network slow-down issues, simply rebooting your router could fix the problem. So, before you even get into the router resetting process, start with rebooting and see if the problem is solved.

 

To fully reboot your router, follow these steps.

• Power it off and unplug it from power. If you are using a portable router with a battery, you should consider removing the battery.
• Leave the device for about 30 seconds or 1 minute before connecting it to power and powering it again.
• Boot the router again and wait for a few seconds for it to fully resume operation.

 

If rebooting your device doesn’t fix anything, you may have to consider resetting it. Some connectivity-related issues are deep-rooted into your device settings and can only be fixed by resetting the device back to its default settings.

 

Hard reset the router

As we earlier shared, hard resetting your router will delete all its settings, including the WIFI and admin usernames and passwords you added. So, you will need to know the default username and password because you will need them to access the router’s web interface. The good news is that the default password and usernames are usually written on the device.

 

What you need to know before resetting your router

1. The default username and password of the router interface. After resetting your router, the old username and password you initially used to access the admin panel will be erased. So, you need to know the default username and password before you reset the router
2. Your router’s IP address. The IP address is what you input in your browser’s URL to access the router’s admin interface. For most routers, the IP address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You may check your user manual to confirm this.

 

Steps for hard resetting your router

• You need to make sure your router is powered on and connected to power before starting the resetting process.
• Press and hold the reset button for about 15 seconds. Every router comes with a reset button located at the back of the router. Check your manufacturer’s user manual to figure out where this reset button is located. There is also the option of resetting the router through its web interface in your browser.
• Wait for the router to restart. During the resetting process, your router’s lights will blink a couple of times before the router restarts. If the process is successful, your router should restart within a minute or two.
• You can now log into the router using the default admin username and password. Like I earlier shared, the default username and password of the router are usually written on the device. If you forgot them, simply check around your router.
• Reconfigure the router with your desired settings. We recommend changing your WIFI network’s default passwords and usernames and an admin interface for security reasons.

 

 Conclusion

The router resetting procedure that I have just shared is straightforward and needs no further explanation. Make sure you follow it to the dot to avoid potentially damaging your router in the process. I would recommend resetting the router through the admin panel because some people may be comfortable using the reset button. Either way, go for the option that you find convenient and easier to use.