Netgear has made a large number of different WiFi routers. For issues with an internet connection, it’s best recommended to reset the WiFi router. So, here’s how to do that on a Netgear WiFi router.
A soft reset is done by unplugging the power cord at the wall. Wait for around 10 seconds then plug it back in. To factory reset it there’s a small hole typically labeled ‘reset’, poke a bent paper clip or similar into to press the button for 7 seconds.
A factory reset is not required to fix issues with the internet typically, and is only done if you’re selling your router, or giving the router away for someone else to use. There is also an additional way to return a Netgear WiFi router to the factory settings instead of pressing the reset button.
This article will explain how to do that, and various different technical things on your Netgear WiFi router, such as how to change the password, how to change the IP address of your router.
How to Reset Netgear Router
When using the WiFi connection on a Netgear Router for a device to watch videos, browse, then web and use apps it can suddenly stop working. When this happens it can show you have a WiFi connection but the internet still doesn’t work. The first step to resolve an issue like this is to reset the Netgear router, this is how to do it.
To reset a Netgear router unplug it at the wall, and then plug it back in again. Many Netgear routers also have a power button on them. Press it to turn it off, then press it again to turn it back on. You can tell it’s on because the lights will come on and flash as it’s reconnecting.
This is very different to a factory reset. A factory reset wipes all of the settings on the router but generally, it doesn’t require you to put in the settings again for it manually again. But, if your WiFi modem has been specially configured, a factory reset does wipe all of the previous settings. In that case, you will need to have a technician or support person explain to your how to add the settings again.
The other method different methods to reset a Netgear router instead of pressing the reset button. These can be more convenient particularly if you don’t have anything handy that will fit in the reset button hole to press it.
Is There a Reset Button on Netgear Router
Many electronic devices have a reset button but not all. Netgear routers have a power button, but do they have a reset button? Here’s what I found.
There’s a reset button on virtually all Netgear routers. But, its location can vary. It’s typically located at the rear near the power button. Or, on the underside of the router. It’s a tiny hole about 1 mm in diameter and is typically labeled ‘reset’ but not always.
In order to press it, you need to use something thin and sturdy like a paperclip, the tool used to take the sim card out of an iPhone can also work. You put it in the hole and use it to press the button that is inside the hole. That will do a factory reset of your Netgear router but will also put all the settings back to default.
This generally isn’t an issue. But, if you have some special settings on the router that are unique to your internet service provider you can need to contact them to adjust the settings again manually using a computer or smartphone.
If you’re having problems with your internet, generally it’s recommended to restart the router. But, this type of reset is a ‘soft’ reset where you turn the router on and off again. Rather than pressing the reset button on the router. You can either use the power button at the back of the router. Or, unplug the power and plug it back in again.
How to Reset Netgear Router Username
The default username for a Netgear router is always admin. If you’re tinkering around with it you may need to change the Netgear router username. I’ve summarized whether this is possible below.
It’s not possible to reset the Netgear router username. The default username which is ‘admin’ is not able to be changed according to the official Netgear website. The network name can be changed, this is what shows in the network connections as the name of your Wi-Fi network.
How to Reset Netgear Router Admin Password
There’s a default password to log in to a Netgear Router to change something. The default password is ‘password’. If you’ve changed the password and forgotten it, this is how you reset the Netgear router admin password.
There are two ways to do it. You either factory reset your Netgear Router. The other way is to select the forgot password option when you log in to your router. It’s very likely this isn’t set up, as it’s not set by default. Therefore, doing a factory reset is generally the only way to do it.
Unless you’ve gone into the settings and enabled the forgot password setting, you won’t have the option to use the forgot password feature. Netgear routers don’t have the forgot password option enabled by default.
How to Reset Netgear Router WiFi Password
The WiFi password can be changed to make it more secure. This is done in the backend settings of your router which are accessed by going to a special website in a web browser either on your phone or on your computer. This connects directly to the router over the Wi-Fi or wired connection and allows you to change the password, here’s how to do it.
Ensure the device your using either a smartphone or a computer is connected to the router over WiFi or plugged into the router. Then go to routerlogin.net from your internet browser such as Google Chrome, or Safari. The additional steps are listed below.
After that, a box will open that asks you to put in the username and password of your Netgear router. The username never changes and will always be ‘admin’, all in lower case.
And without the ‘’ on either end. If you’ve changed the password then put in your current password. If you haven’t changed the default is ‘password’.
If you’ve changed your password and forgotten what it is, then do a factory reset on your modem. I explained how to do this at the very top of this article.
How to Reset Netgear Router IP Address
An IP conflict can cause some of the devices connected to a router to be unable to connect. Or, they will connect but the internet doesn’t work or goes in and out. To resolve this a good solution is to reset the IP address of your router, this is how to do it on a Netgear router:
To do this access the settings for your Netgear router by going to the website routerlogin.net. It will ask you to log in. The default username is ‘admin’, and the default password is ‘password’. Once logged in select Advanced > Setup > LAN setup. Additional steps are below.
From the LAN setup option, there will be an IP Address field, type in the IP address you want to use. The default settings will be:
LAN IP address. 192.168.1.1
Subnet mask. 255.255.255.0
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on February 4, 2022.
Use these if you need to revert the changes you made. Change the IP by one digit, press save, then reset your router. After that go back in and change it back to the default settings.
Alternatively, if your internet service provider has given you some different IP settings put those in instead. After making any changes to the IP address, turn your router on and off again so that it will connect to the network again with the new IP settings.
How to Reset Netgear Router to Factory Default
If your Netgear router is having issues doing a factory reset can resolve the issue. Also, if you’ve taken your Netgear router to a new house, are sending it back to Netgear, or selling it or giving it away to someone you can need to return it to factory settings. Below, is instructions on how to do that.
Turn your Netgear router off and then press the factory reset button, it’s exact location varies but it’s typically on the underside or at the back where the cables plug in. It can be labeled with ‘reset’ but not always. Use a bent paper clip or similar into the hole to press it for 7 seconds.
After that turn it back on. Now, when you look in the backend settings of the router they will be back to the factory settings. You can update those settings as needed. But, typically provided the ethernet cable is plugged in, it will connect to the internet automatically.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on February 4, 2022.
If you have issues with it not connecting automatically contact your internet service provider to get the settings you need to update on the router, to get it to work.
What to Do if Netgear Router Factory Reset Not Working
The small button that you press to do a factory reset may not do anything after you press it. The factory reset button may be damaged, or there can be a short circuit in the router that stops it from working. Luckily, there is a workaround but first:
Make sure you press and hold the button for 7 seconds. Otherwise, go to http://routerlogin.net from a web browser, and put in your username and password. On the left hand side options select ‘backup settings’, then next to ‘revert to factory default settings’ press the erase button.
Ordinarily, the factory reset button will work when you press it. But, your router can be faulty. You should contact Netgear support at www.netgear.com/support to see if your router is covered under warranty to have it repaired or replaced. If you got your network router from an internet service provider it’s common they will send you a new one with a courier bag to send the faulty modem back to them.
A soft reset is done by unplugging the power, but some Netgear routers also have a power button. Both work to do a soft reset. A factory reset is done by holding down the factory reset button for 7 seconds. A bent paper clip is required to press it as it’s located inside a pinhole sized hole.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on February 4, 2022.