In this article, you will learn how to reset your Asus RT-AX86U back to factory settings. This is not the same thing as rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. This is different from a reset because a reset completely erases all settings from the router.
Warning: Since this erases everything you have done to the router, there are some things you need to consider first. The following settings in your router will be changed:
- The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
- All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
- Your ISP username and password will be reset, and you may have to contact your ISP.
- All port forwards, firewall settings, and parental controls that you have configured will be removed.
A router reset should be considered the last resort when you cannot log in to your router any other way. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other Asus RT-AX86U 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.
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This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.386_42840. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.384_9318 - Login to the Asus RT-AX86U
- Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.384_9318 - Information About the Asus RT-AX86U Router
- Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.384_9318 - Reset the Asus RT-AX86U
Recover Password in Asus RT-AX86U
If the only reason that you are resetting your router is because you forgot your router password, then you may want to try running our Router Password Finder instead of resetting your router.
Router Password Finder can save you a ton of time by recovering your lost or forgotten router password instead of doing a full router reset.
Router Password Finder - Lost or Forgotten Router Password Recovery Tool
Just keep in mind that a router reset should be done as the last resort when you are unable to login to your router.
Reset the Asus RT-AX86U
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Most routers have a small button on either the back or the bottom. This is what a typical reset button looks like:
Even though yours may look slightly different, you need to look for a tiny button. Sometimes the reset button is under a pinhole on the back of the router, and you need a paper clip to push it.
Watch the lights on the front of your router and hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds. You should notice that the blinking pattern of the lights on the front of the router changes after a few seconds. Do not worry about holding the button down too long; this is harmless.
Remember, this will totally reset your Asus RT-AX86U 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 RT-AX86U
Now that you have finished resetting your router, you need to log in using the default username and password from the factory. We have a RT-AX86U Login Guide with all this information ready for you.
Change Your Password
After logging in, you should really change your router's password for added security. Leaving a router password set to default is a very serious security risk. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide can help you pick a strong password for your router.
Tip: Write your new password down on a note and tape it to the bottom of your router for future reference.
Other Asus RT-AX86U Guides
This isn't our only Asus RT-AX86U guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.386_42840. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.384_9318 - Login to the Asus RT-AX86U
- Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.384_9318 - Information About the Asus RT-AX86U Router
- Asus RT-AX86U 3.0.0.4.384_9318 - Reset the Asus RT-AX86U