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How to Reset the Asus RT-AC66R

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 3 minutes

In this guide I will be showing you the correct procedure to resetting the Asus RT-AC66R router back to factory defaults. A lot of people think a reset and a reboot are the same thing. In this guide when I use the word reboot I am only referring to a cycle in the power to the unit. When I use the word reset I am referring to a complete restore of all previously changed settings.

Warning: This reset is a big step and should not be taken lightly. We recommend creating a list of all the settings you may of changed in the past. Consider the following:

  • The router's main username and password are reverted.
  • The Internet name and password are reverted to factory defaults.
  • If you happen to have a DSL router you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. Call your local ISP for the details.
  • If you have ever forwarded a port or changed an IP address you should write these settings down as well.

Other Asus RT-AC66R Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-AC66R 3.0.0.4.380_3831. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Asus RT-AC66R

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.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN!

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.

The very first step in a reset is to find the physical reset button on the back panel of the Asus RT-AC66R router. I have circled it's location for you in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Asus RT-AC66R router.

While the router remains on, take a straight paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This will begin the reset process. If you don't hold this reset button down for the entire 10 seconds you might end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Don't forget this is going to erase every single setting you have ever changed on your device. We recommend trying other methods of troubleshooting before you continue.

Login to the Asus RT-AC66R

After this reset is complete you need to login to your router's interface. To do this you need the default information. We have already gathered all of this for you. You can find this in our Asus RT-AC66R Login Guide.

Tip: Don't panic if the default values didn't work. It is quite possible you accidentally rebooted the Asus RT-AC66R router instead of a reset. Go ahead and reset it again and hold the reset button down for a longer period of time.

Change Your Password

It is now a great time to change the default password you just used to access your router. This password protects your router settings. To help you create a strong password use this Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: One way to avoid losing this password again is to write it down and stick it to the bottom of the router for future reference.

Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-AC66R

Now it's time to begin re-configuring the router back to the way you like it. This needs to include the WiFi settings. We have a great guide on that topic if you're interested. It is titled How to Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-AC66R.

Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.

NordVPN birthday deal!

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.

Asus RT-AC66R Help

Be sure to check out our other Asus RT-AC66R info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-AC66R 3.0.0.4.380_3831. We also have the following guides for the same router: