This guide shows you how to reset the Asus RT-N18U router. There is some confusion about the difference between resetting a router and rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is simply cycling the power by turning it off and back on again. Resetting a router is a more serious change. Resetting takes all your configurations and erases them then returns the router to factory defaults.
Tip: Care needs to be taken when resetting this router. You may not remember everything you have done to your router. Please consider the following before continuing.
- The router's interface username and password are returned to default.
- The WiFi SSID, password, and security method are returned to default.
- If you use DSL then you need to re-enter the ISP (Internet Service Provider) username and password. Call your ISP for this information.
- Everything you have done to this router will be erased. This could include port forwards, DNS address changes, or possibly parental controls.
Other Asus RT-N18U Guides
This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-N18U.We also have the following guides for the same router:
Reset the Asus RT-N18U
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.
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.
Make sure your router on for the reset process. Do not unplug or turn off the router during the reset process. Doing so could cause permanent damage to the router.
Next you need to locate the tiny reset button. This is typically a recessed button found on the back panel of the router. We have found it for you and circled it for you in the image below.
Take the point of a sharp pencil or unwound paperclip and press and hold the reset button for around 10 seconds.
Please keep in mind this reset is going to erase every setting you have ever changed on this router. It's a good idea to try other troubleshooting methods before continuing.
Login to the Asus RT-N18U
The next step is to login to the Asus RT-N18U router interface using the factory defaults. This information can usually be found in the user guide or maybe even on the device itself. We have already found this information for you and included it in our Asus RT-N18U Login Guide.
Change Your Password
Once you are through logging into the Asus RT-N18U router interface go ahead and change that default password. It doesn't really matter what you enter here but it's never good to leave a password as the default one. If you have trouble creating new passwords, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.
Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-N18U
The last setting we will cover in this reset guide is the Wireless settings. Since these have been reset as well as everything else it's a good idea to check them and make sure they are how you want them to be. We recommend setting the security or authentication to WPA2-Personal. For step-by-step instructions check out this How to Setup WiFi on the Asus RT-N18U guide.
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Asus RT-N18U Help
Be sure to check out our other Asus RT-N18U info that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the Asus RT-N18U.We also have the following guides for the same router: