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

How to Reset the Asus RT-N16

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

This page shows you how to reset the Asus RT-N16-Tomato-v1.28 router back to it's original factory defaults. Before we begin you need to understand the difference between a reset and a reboot. When you reboot a router you cycle the power to the device. This will solve minor behavioral problems you might be having with your router. When you reset a router you clear all the settings to the router. Every setting is taken back to how it was from the factory.

Warning: Be careful when you reset your router. Make sure you understand what settings will need to be reconfigured after the reset is finished. Please consider the following:

  • The router's setup username and password are cleared and returned to factory default settings.
  • The Internet name and password are erased and put back to how they were from the factory.
  • If you happen to use a DSL router you have to re-enter the ISP username and password in order to continue using the Internet. Call your Internet Service Provider for more information.
  • Finally are there any other settings you have changed. These all are cleared and need to be reconfigured after the reset is complete.

Other Asus RT-N16 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-N16 v1.28 Tomato. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Asus RT-N16

Use a VPN

Have you considered using a VPN when you connect to the internet? A VPN is a great way to increase your security and anonymity while surfing.

We use and recommend NordVPN because not only is it the fastest VPN, it includes a new feature called Meshnet that makes securely sharing your home network super simple. 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 birthday 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 know where the reset button is located. In this case you can find it on the backside of the 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-N16 router.

This button is designed to be difficult to get to in order to avoid accidental resets. Take the end of an unwound paperclip or pencil tip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. If you don't hold it down for the entire time you may end up simply rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Remember this reset wipes any changes you have made to your router. If you want to avoid re-configuring the router after the reset is complete you need to try other troubleshooting options first.

Login to the Asus RT-N16

After the reset process is complete (this could take a minute or two) you need to to login to your router using the proper default IP address, username, and password. We have this information in our database and it is in the Login Guide for the Asus RT-N16-Tomato-v1.28 router.

Change Your Password

It's now a good idea to change the default password you just used. This default password is easy to guess. You need to make it a little more difficult. If you need help or just a refresher course take a look at our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: It's important that you don't lose this password. If you keep this router in your home it's fine if you want to write this new password down on a piece of paper and attach it to the bottom of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-N16-Tomato-v1.28

Finally we want to remind you to check on your Wireless settings. These include the SSID, the Internet password, and the security method. We strongly recommend using WPA2 with a strong password. If you want instructions on this check out our How to Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-N16-Tomato-v1.28.

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-N16 Help

Be sure to check out our other Asus RT-N16 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-N16 v1.28 Tomato. We also have the following guides for the same router: