How to Reset Your Linksys Router When You've Lost The Password

So you've lost the password that you set up for your linksys router and no one remembers it. Generally you can do two things. Buy a new wireless router or you can reset the router to it's factory default and then save the password before you forget again.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Depending on your wireless router the reset button will be somewhere on the box. In this example I am using a WRT54g as an example.

2. 
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   Get a paper clip or pen and hold down the reset button for at least 30 seconds. This should reset it to its out of box factory issued state.

3. From there open up a browser window and input http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar and hit enter.

4. 
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   This should bring you to the router admin user interface. The default user name is admin and the password is admin. From there you should be brought to a basic setup window. Find the tab that says "wireless and click on that" From there change your network name, to something you can remember.

5. 
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   Then under the wireless tab find the wireless security option and click on that. It should bring you to a screen that will allow you to generate a wireless key. Chose the encryption type you want most people use WPA or WEP and click generate. MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THIS KEY AS YOU WILL NEED IT NEXT TIME YOU LOG ON. And make sure you save your settings.

6. 
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   Reconnect to your network by clicking on the little monitor icon on your task bar.

7. 
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   Click on your network and you should be prompted with a network password to connect.

Resources

• HOW TO SET UP A WIRELESS NETWORK
• HOW TO INCREASE YOUR WIRELESS SIGNAL
• HOW TO SET A WIRELESS NETWORK PASSWORD
• HOW TO ADD A WIRELESS PRINTER

[Elander]

on 1/12/2009 Great explanation. I've found that on some models, you have to hold the reset for up to 60 seconds.

[imagery]

on 1/12/2009 Good article, I have had to do this.

[jpwriter]

on 1/12/2009 Great! I didn't know how to do this and was talking to someone who needs the password to his wireless router.

[sunshine11219]

on 1/12/2009 thanx for the tip