When your internet drops or slows to a crawl, a reset is usually the fastest fix. But "reset" means two very different things. Restarting your router is a quick reboot that clears temporary glitches and keeps every setting. A factory reset wipes the router back to the way it left the factory, including your WiFi name, password, and any custom settings. This guide covers both, in the order you should try them, with exact steps for the most common router brands and ISP gateways.
Key Takeaways
- Restart first. Unplug the router for 60 seconds and plug it back in. This fixes most connectivity issues and keeps all your settings.
- Factory reset only when a restart fails, you are locked out of the admin page, or settings are broken beyond repair. It erases your WiFi name, password, and every custom setting.
- Hold times vary by brand: about 7 seconds for NETGEAR, 10 or more for TP-Link and Linksys, 15 for Verizon Fios, and up to 30 for some ISP gateways.
- Many routers can also be reset from the admin page or the manufacturer's app, which is the only option on some mesh systems.
- If you are resetting more than once a week, the router itself is the problem, not the settings.
Restart vs. Factory Reset: Which One Do You Need?
Use this table to pick the right fix before you touch anything.
| Situation | Restart (Reboot) | Factory Reset |
|---|---|---|
| Slow speeds or buffering | Yes, try this first | Rarely needed |
| No internet connection | Yes, try this first | If restart fails |
| Forgot admin password | Will not help | Yes, required |
| Misconfigured settings | Will not help | Yes |
| Selling or giving away the router | Will not help | Yes, always |
| Suspected malware on the router | Clears some, not all | Yes, then update firmware |
| Keeps your settings | Yes | No, wipes everything |
| Time required | 2 to 3 minutes | 10 to 20 minutes with setup |
How to Restart a Router
A restart, also called a reboot or power cycle, clears the router's memory and reconnects it to your provider without touching a single setting. Most everyday problems end here.
- Unplug the router's power cord. If you have a separate modem, unplug that too.
- Wait a full 60 seconds so the hardware fully powers down.
- Plug the modem back in first. Wait until its online light is solid, usually 1 to 2 minutes.
- Plug the router back in and wait another 1 to 2 minutes for WiFi to come back.
- Test a device. If speeds and connections are normal, you are done.
Some ISP apps (Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon) can reboot your gateway remotely. For the full procedure and the app steps, see how to restart your router. If the restart did not fix the problem, move on to the factory reset below.
How to Factory Reset a Router
A factory reset returns the router to its default settings, exactly as it left the manufacturer. Here is the short version that works on nearly every router:
- Find the recessed Reset pinhole on the back or bottom of the router.
- With the router powered on, press and hold it with a paper clip for 10 to 30 seconds.
- Release when the lights flash or go out.
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes while the router reboots.
- Connect to the default WiFi name on the sticker and log in to set it up again.
Before you reset
- Check the sticker on the back or bottom of the router. It lists the default WiFi name, password, and admin login you will need afterward.
- Write down any custom settings you want back later: port forwarding rules, a custom DNS, static IP reservations, parental controls, guest network name.
- Back up the configuration if your router allows it. Log in to the admin page, look for Backup and Restore (often under Administration, System, or Advanced), and save the config file to your computer. After the reset you can restore it in one step instead of rebuilding everything by hand.
- Plan for downtime. Every device in the house will be offline until setup is complete.
Finding the right button
Routers use one of three designs, and pressing the wrong one is the most common reason a reset "does not work."
- Pinhole reset: a tiny hole, sometimes ringed in red, that needs a paper clip. This is the most common design.
- Dedicated Reset button: a small raised button labeled Reset or Restore Factory Settings.
- Combined WPS/Reset button: a short press pairs devices (WPS), a long press of 10 seconds or more resets. If you let go too early, nothing happens.
Reset Times by Router Brand
Hold times differ by manufacturer, and letting go too soon is why many resets fail. Always keep the router powered on while holding the button. When in doubt, hold until the lights change, then release.
| Brand | Hold time | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| NETGEAR | About 7 seconds | Power light blinks amber, then the router reboots |
| TP-Link | 10 seconds or more | All LEDs flash, then go out. Also available under Advanced, System Tools, Backup and Restore |
| ASUS | 5 to 10 seconds | Power LED flashes. Also under Administration, Restore/Save/Upload Setting |
| Linksys | About 10 seconds | Power light blinks, then the router reboots |
| eero (mesh) | 15 seconds for a full reset | Releasing when the light flashes yellow keeps your network settings; holding until red wipes everything. The app can also remove and reset each unit |
| Google Nest Wifi | About 10 seconds | Reset button on the base. Or use the Google Home app: Wifi, Settings, Factory reset network |
| TP-Link Deco (mesh) | Pinhole until LED turns yellow | Or reset the whole network from the Deco app under Advanced |
Model-specific hold times change between generations, so if the lights never react, check the manual or the manufacturer's support page for your exact model number.
How to Reset an ISP Gateway (Xfinity, Spectrum, Fios, AT&T)
ISP-provided combo units (a modem and router in one box) follow the same idea, with a few twists. Your provider manages part of the configuration, so the gateway will reconnect to your account on its own after a reset. Your WiFi name and password revert to the values printed on the device.
- Xfinity xFi gateway: hold the reset pinhole on the back until the lights go out, typically around 30 seconds. You can also restart (but not factory reset) from the Xfinity app.
- Spectrum router: hold the reset button until the lights flash, usually 10 to 30 seconds. The My Spectrum app can reboot equipment remotely.
- Verizon Fios router: with the router powered on, hold the Reset button with a paper clip for 15 seconds, then wait for it to reboot. Reconfigure WiFi afterward.
- AT&T gateway: hold the red Reset button on the back for 10 to 20 seconds until the lights blink. You can also reset from the gateway page at 192.168.1.254 under Device, Reset.
If an ISP gateway will not come back online after a full reset, call your provider. Some units need to be re-provisioned on their end before they will connect. And if this is the third reset this month, it may be time to stop renting and own your own modem instead.
How to Reset a Router Without a Reset Button
Some routers, especially mesh systems and newer ISP gateways, have no physical reset control. Three alternatives:
- From the admin page: open a browser, go to the router's IP address (commonly 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.1.254), log in, and look for Factory Reset, Restore Defaults, or Backup and Restore under Administration, System, or Advanced.
- From the app: eero, Google Nest, TP-Link Deco, NETGEAR Orbi, and most other mesh systems have a Factory Reset or Remove Network option in their app settings.
- The 30/30/30 method for stubborn routers: hold the reset button for 30 seconds, keep holding while you unplug the power for 30 seconds, then keep holding for another 30 seconds after plugging it back in. This forces a reset on older units that ignore a normal press.
What a Factory Reset Does Not Change
People sometimes expect a reset to do more than it does. It will not:
- Roll back firmware. The current firmware version stays installed. Only settings are wiped.
- Fix a bad cable, a failing modem, or an outage. If the router boots but there is still no internet, test with an Ethernet cable straight into the modem.
- Change your internet plan or account. ISP provisioning lives on the provider's side.
- Repair failing hardware. A router that needs resetting every few days is usually overheating or wearing out. See how long routers last for the warning signs.
Setting Up Your Network Again
After a factory reset, the router broadcasts its default network name from the sticker. Connect to it, then:
- Open a browser and enter the router's default IP address, commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
- Log in with the default admin credentials from the sticker, then create a strong new admin password.
- Set your WiFi network name and password using WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.
- Update the firmware. Look under Administration or System, then Firmware Update. This patches security flaws and often improves stability.
- Restore your saved configuration file if you made one, or re-enter the custom settings you noted before the reset.
Tip: if you reuse your exact previous WiFi name and password, most devices reconnect automatically without re-entering anything.
Still Having Problems? Troubleshooting Checklist
- Confirm you pressed the right button. WPS and Reset are often side by side, or combined on one button.
- Hold longer. Some models require a full 30 to 60 seconds before they respond.
- Keep the router powered on while you hold the button. Holding it on a powered-off router does nothing on most models.
- Power-cycle the modem and router together, modem first.
- Test with an Ethernet cable directly to the modem. If wired works but WiFi does not, the router is the issue. If neither works, contact your internet provider.
- Re-flash the firmware through the web interface if the router boots but behaves erratically.
- Check the manual for brand-specific procedures. Some mesh systems reset only through their app.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between resetting and restarting a router?
Restarting (rebooting) turns the router off and on and keeps every setting. Resetting (factory reset) wipes all settings back to defaults, including the WiFi name and password. Try a restart first; reset only if that fails.
How long do I hold the reset button on a router?
Most routers need 10 to 30 seconds with the power on. NETGEAR responds in about 7 seconds, TP-Link and Linksys need 10 or more, Verizon Fios needs 15, and some ISP gateways need a full 30. Release when the lights flash or go out.
Does a factory reset erase firmware updates?
No. A factory reset wipes your settings only. The firmware stays at whatever version is currently installed.
Will my devices reconnect automatically after a reset?
After a restart, yes. After a factory reset, only if you set the WiFi name and password back to exactly what they were before.
What is the difference between the Reset button and the WPS button?
WPS pairs new devices to your network with a short press. Reset is a recessed pinhole that wipes the router when held for 10 seconds or more. On combined buttons, a short press is WPS and a long press is Reset. Pressing WPS by accident does no harm; it just times out.
My router has no reset button. How do I reset it?
Some routers, especially mesh systems and ISP gateways, reset through their mobile app or web admin page. Look for a Reset, Restore Defaults, or Factory Reset option under System, Administration, or Advanced settings.
How often should I restart my router?
A monthly restart is good maintenance for most homes. Save the factory reset for troubleshooting, not routine upkeep. If you find yourself restarting more than once a week, see our router restart guide for what that usually means.
Do I need to reset my modem too?
Usually a power-cycle of the modem is enough. Modems rarely benefit from a factory reset since your provider manages their configuration. See how to restart your modem, or if the modem itself is failing, our replacement cable modems.
