I Pressed The Reset Button On My Router-What Should I Do?
Your router is probably one of the most essential gadgets in the house. It keeps you connected by providing you with stable and reliable internet.
However, a router has several small features that most of us don’t pay attention to. One of those features is the reset button.
If you mistakenly press the reset button on your router, you may wonder what will happen to your internet. Will you still have an internet connection, or how will you restore the connection if you dont have internet?
Keep reading to learn what happens when you press the reset button on your router and the actions you should take.
What Happens If I Pressed the Reset Button on My Router?
When you press the reset button on your router, you restore its factory settings. What does this mean? Basically, you wipe your router’s slate clean. Your router loses any network data that it had before the reset.
Furthermore, any custom settings your router had before the reset get reverted to the manufacturer setting. If your network acts up, you should consider trying other fixes for your router before choosing to reset it. Once you reset your router, you will have to reconfigure and reconnect every device in the house, which is a lot of work, especially when you do not know how to configure your router settings.
What to Do If You Accidentally Reset Your Router
It is frustrating when you reset your router but don’t know what next. Don’t worry, you can get everything back to how they were before the reset. This is how:
First, you access your router web interface using any web browser on your PC. Connect your PC to the router using an ethernet cable, with one end connected to the router’s LAN port and the other to your PC. Make sure your router is on.
Then, enter the router IP address in the search bar of the browser you have open. Consult your router’s manual or go to the back of the router. You will find a small sticker with your router’s IP address and any default settings information. That is the default admin name and password, together with the default Wi-Fi name and password.
Once you enter the IP address, enter the default admin and password to access your router’s web interface. Navigate to the settings section and change the Wi-Fi name and password. You may also have to set up any customs settings you had before the reset, such as the port forwarding or parental controls.
Finally, reboot your router and manually access your internet with your devices. The internet connection should be back.
How Do I Turn My Router Back on After Resetting It?
After a reset, your router essentially reverts to the manufacturer settings it had. Here are the steps you should follow to turn on your router after a reset:
Connect the router to a power source
Plug in the router into an electrical outlet. Check that the power adapter is securely connected to both the router and the power outlet.
Press power button
Some routers have a physical power button on the back or side. If your router has a power button, press it to turn the router on. Wait for the router lights to turn on, indicating that it is fully powered up.
Wait a few minutes for the router to boot up
It can take one to five minutes for the router to fully boot up and establish a connection. During this time, you’ll see lights on the router blinking or changing color. Wait until these lights stabilize, indicating that the router is ready to use.
Check internet connection
Once the router is on and the lights are stable, check your internet connection by connecting your laptop or phone to your Wi-Fi network. If you’re using a wired connection, plug an Ethernet cable into one of the router’s LAN ports and connect it to your device.
Configure router (if no internet)
Depending on why you reset your router, you may need to reconfigure it. If you did a factory reset, you’ll likely need to set up your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password, as well as any other custom settings you had previously configured.
After configuring your router, make sure to change the default login credentials (username and password) to prevent your neighbors (or other unauthorized users) from snooping on your internet.
Related: Why Does My Netgear Router Keep Going Offline
Does Resetting the Router Remove Devices?
Whether or not your devices get removed from your router, depends on its settings before the reset.
If you had changed the network name and password from their default settings, your router will disconnect all connected devices. Therefore, you will have to connect your devices manually.
However, if you didn’t change your network settings, your devices will reconnect to your router automatically.
Will Resetting My Router Affect Anything Else?
Resetting your router can affect several aspects of your router settings and internet connectivity. Here are some implications of resetting your router:
Custom Settings
When you perform a factory reset on your router, it reverts to its default settings. As a result, any custom settings you had configured such as DNS settings and passwords will disappear. You’ll need to reconfigure these settings manually if you want to restore them.
Network Changes
If you had a custom Wi-Fi network name and password set up, these will also be reset to the default values. You’ll need to create a new SSID and password if you want to secure your Wi-Fi network again.
Connected Devices
Any devices connected to your network will be temporarily disconnected when you reset the router. You’ll need to reconnect them once the router is back up and running.
Firmware Updates
Depending on your router’s settings, a factory reset may remove any firmware updates that were applied. After resetting, it’s a good idea to check and install any available firmware updates to ensure your router is up to date.
Port Forwarding and Firewall Rules
If you had set up port forwarding or custom firewall rules for specific applications or devices, you’ll need to recreate those rules after the reset.
How Long Does It Take for a Router to Reset?
Often, a reset will take between 1-5 minutes, and it will refresh its network and configure itself.
However, a reset might take longer depending on your router’s model, make, and boot time. During a reset, you will notice your router’s LED lights flashing. You will have to wait for it to fully boot up so that you can have access to your internet.
Do I Need to Unplug the Router to Reset It?
You don’t need to unplug your router to reset it. Most routers have a reset button you can press with a paperclip or something similar.
The reset button is usually inside a small hole to prevent accidental resets. Hold it down for a few seconds, and your router will begin to reset.
Does Resetting the Router Change My IP Address?
No, a reset does not change your router’s public address. Your Internet Service Provider assigns a public address that you can’t change to your router.
However, if you customize the local IP address, after a reset it will revert to the default one set by the manufacturer. Devices that rely on specific IP addresses for network-related tasks may need to be reconfigured.
How Do I Fix No Internet Connection After Resetting?
It is common to find yourself with no internet connection after a reset. If you find yourself in such a situation, first start by ensuring all of your router cables are securely connected, and your modem is functioning correctly.
Next, revisit your router’s web interface and make sure your Wi-Fi settings match your previous configuration. If necessary, input your custom settings, such as DNS servers or port forwarding rules.
However, in most cases, your internet connection should be okay once you’ve reconfigured your router’s settings.
Final Thoughts
An accidental reset or a reset can generally be frustrating once it gets to the issue of getting your internet connection back up and running.
However, it is simple to get everything back to optimum function. The guide above will help you avoid all the hustle of getting your internet back on track. Forget the frustration and enjoy fast and reliable internet once again.
FAQ
How long do I press the reset button on my Wi-Fi router?
You need to press and hold the reset button on your Wi-Fi router for about 10 to 15 seconds. You will know your router has started resetting when the light starts flashing and then stabilizes. You can then release the reset button and your router will continue the reset process.
How long does it take for a router to reset?
The time it takes for a router to reset can vary depending on the specific router’s make, model, and boot time. Generally, it takes anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes for a router to complete the reset process. During this time, you’ll often notice the router’s lights blinking and then settling into a stable pattern as it reconfigures itself.
How do I know if my router is broken?
Common signs that your router might be broken include persistent connectivity issues, slow internet speeds, overheating, or physical wear and tear. If you’ve tried resetting your router and troubleshooting your network with no improvement, it might be time to consult your internet service provider or consider replacing your router.
