Setup Router logo in white Setup router name logo in white
Get Software

How to Reset the Asus RT-AC87U

Thumbnail image of Setup Router Staff
Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 4 minutes

In this guide I will show you how to reset the Asus RT-AC87U router. A reset is not the same thing as a reboot. Sometimes these words are used interchangeably and they shouldn't be. A reboot is just cycling the power by turning the device off and back on again. A reset is erasing every configuration you have ever made to your router's interface and reverting the entire thing back to factory defaults.

Warning: Resetting a router can be a problem if you don't know what to expect. Please consider the following before continuing.

  • The router's main username and password are returned to factory settings.
  • The security section of your router returns to factory settings.
  • If you use DSL you need to re-enter the ISP username and password to continue the use of your Internet. Call your ISP for more details.
  • Finally you need to re-enter everything you have done to your router such as port forwards, DNS server changes, or even IP address changes. All of these and more will be erased.

Other Asus RT-AC87U Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-AC87U 3.0.0.4.378_5134. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Asus RT-AC87U

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 faster than ever deal!

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 first step in any reset is to make sure the router is on. Do not unplug or turn off the router during the process or it could cause permanent damage.

Go ahead and locate your tiny reset button. It is a recessed button on the back panel. We have circled it for you in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Asus RT-AC87U router.

Now take a sharp object such as a sharpened pencil or unwound pencil and press and hold down the reset button for about 10 seconds.

Don't forget that this will erase everything you have ever done to your router. The entire configuration goes back to factory defaults. A reset should only be considered after you have exhausted all other troubleshooting methods.

Login to the Asus RT-AC87U

So now you have reset your Asus RT-AC87U router what do you do now? You now need to login using the default username and password. These can usually be found in the user manuals or even on the device itself. We have located these for you and included them in our Login Guide for this router.

Change Your Password

The next step is to change that default password. It's never a good idea to leave a password as the default. If you need help coming up with a strong password check out this Password Guide.

Tip: If you're anything like me you'll forget this new password the moment it's created. Write it down on a post-it note and attach it to the bottom of the router for next time.

Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-AC87U

The last settings we will cover in this guide are the WiFi settings. This includes the SSID, security mode and password. These need to be changed as soon as possible. We recommend the security type of WPA2-Personal. If you need instructions on this check out our How to Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-AC87U router guide.

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

NordVPN is the fastest VPN 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-AC87U Help

Be sure to check out our other Asus RT-AC87U info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-AC87U 3.0.0.4.378_5134. We also have the following guides for the same router: