This article covers how to reset the Asus DSL-N16 router back to factory default settings. A router reset is a much bigger deal than a router reboot. Unplugging a router from the wall reboots it. However, when you reset a router you, return it back to its factory default settings.
Warning: This is not a step to be taken lightly. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's login credentials are reset.
- All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
- If your router has any ISP settings they will be removed, and you will have to contact your ISP.
- Any firewall settings, parental controls, and port forwards that you have configured will be removed.
Resetting your router should be considered the last step. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other Asus DSL-N16 Guides
Use a VPN Instead
Have you considered using a VPN instead of forwarding a port? For most users, a VPN is a much simpler and more secure choice than forwarding a port.
We use and recommend NordVPN because not only is it the fastest VPN, it includes a new feature called Meshnet that makes forwarding a port no longer necessary for most applications. With NordVPN Meshnet, you can connect to your devices from anywhere in the world, completely secure, over a highly encrypted VPN tunnel.
When shopping for a VPN, make sure that they meet the following criteria:
- Your VPN provider should have a no-logs policy. This means that they do not keep any logs of any kind.
- Make sure that your VPN provider has lots of exit nodes all around the world.
- Check that your VPN will not affect your speed.
- Verify that your VPN provider uses WireGuard as the underlying protocol.
- Many people prefer a VPN provider that is not based in the United States.
This is the list of requirements that we used when we were shopping around for a VPN provider. There are lots of free, shady VPN providers out there that we looked at and dismissed.
Based in Panama, using diskless servers, and with over 6,100 servers in 61 countries, we can safely say that NordVPN satisfies all of these requirements.
Once you've set up your NordVPN account on multiple computers and enabled Meshnet, you can seamlessly access all of your devices as if they were on the same network. You don't even have to log in to your router. It's very simple.
Every time you click on one of our affiliate links, such as NordVPN, we get a little kickback for introducing you to the service. Think of us as your VPN wingman.
This is the reset router guide for the Asus DSL-N16 3_224. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in Asus DSL-N16
Before you resort to doing a full router reset, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.
Our Router Password Finder can recover your lost or forgotten router password without doing a full router reset, which can save you lots of time.
Router Password Finder - Recover Lost or Forgotten Router Passwords
A router reset should be the last thing you try if you are unable to login.
Reset the Asus DSL-N16
Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.
You might notice that most of our site doesn't have ads on it. This is because we use partnerships with companies like NordVPN to keep the site running. Thank you for supporting us by using our referral links.
You can usually find a small reset button on either the back or the bottom of a router. A typical reset button looks like this:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. Sometimes the button is under a pinhole, and you need a paper clip to push it.
Watch the front panel lights while you hold the reset button down for at least 10 seconds. After a few seconds the lights should blink differently. When this happens, the reset is complete. It is harmless to hold the reset button too long.
Keep in mind that this will completely reset your Asus DSL-N16 router.
Only do this once you have exhausted all other troubleshooting options, such as running our Router Password Finder software, which can recover a lost router password for you.
Login to the Asus DSL-N16
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. Just follow our DSL-N16 Login Guide to find all of the information that you need.
Change Your Password
Do not forget to change your router's default password when you log back into it. It's a very bad idea to leave your router's password set to the factory default. If you need help coming up with a strong password, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.
Tip: Write your new password down on a note and tape it to the bottom of your router for future reference.
Other Asus DSL-N16 Guides
This isn't our only Asus DSL-N16 guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the Asus DSL-N16 3_224. We also have the following guides for the same router: