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How to Reset the Asus RT-N12B1

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

In this guide we will cover how to reset the Asus RT-N12B1 router to factory defaults. This is not the same thing as rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is cycling the power by turning it off and back on again. Resetting the router is erasing all your configurations and returning them to factory defaults.

Warning: Resetting your router should not be taken lightly. A reset could cause problems if you don't know what to expect. Please consider the following:

  • The router's main username and password are reverted to factory defaults.
  • The WiFi SSID/username and password are erased and returned to the default settings.
  • If you use a DSL connection you will need to re-enter the ISP username and password as well. If you don't know these you will need to call your ISP.
  • All configurations such as IP addresses and port forwards are erased.

Other Asus RT-N12B1 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-N12B1. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Asus RT-N12B1

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.

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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.

Before you reset the Asus RT-N12B1 router you need to be sure the router is on. Do not unplug or turn off the router during the reset process. Doing so could cause permanent damage.

Now you need to locate the tiny reset button. This is normally a small recessed button on the back side of your router. We have circled it's location for you in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Asus RT-N12B1 router.

Using something small and sharp like an unwound paperclip press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds.

Don't forget this will erase everything you have done to this router to make it yours. Only reset a router if you have exhausted all other troubleshooting methods.

Login to the Asus RT-N12B1

After the reset process is complete you need to login to the Asus RT-N12B1 router using the default username and password. We have included these in our Asus RT-N12B1 Login Guide.

Change Your Password

Now you have logged into the Asus RT-N12B1 router. You now need to change that default password. It doesn't really matter what you enter here. If you need help we have created a guide for you called Choosing a Strong Password.

Tip: Write down your new router password on a piece of paper and stick it to the bottom of the router for future reference.

Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-N12B1

The last setting we cover in this guide is the WiFi settings. We strongly recommend re-configuring this to have WPA2-Personal as your security method. For more information and instructions check out our How to Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-N12B1 guide.

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Asus RT-N12B1 Help

Be sure to check out our other Asus RT-N12B1 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-N12B1. We also have the following guides for the same router: