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How to Reset the Asus WL-500W

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

This guide covers how to reset the Asus WL-500W router. Resetting a router is not the same thing as rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is cycling the power by turning the device off and then on again. A router reset may also be called a restore. Resetting a router takes all settings and reverts them back to factory defaults.

Warning: Resetting this router can cause problems if you don't know what changes. Please consider the following before you reset.

  • If you use a DSL router it will require you to re-enter the ISP (Internet Service Provider) username and password. If you don't you will lose Internet connection. Call your ISP for details.
  • The router's main username and password are reverted back to factory defaults.
  • The WiFi settings are reverted to factory defaults. This includes Internet password, security, and even your SSID.
  • Any additional configurations you have made such as port forwards or IP address changes are erased.

Resetting your router is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly.

Other Asus WL-500W Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Asus WL-500W. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Asus WL-500W

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 is the fastest VPN!

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.

First, be sure the Asus WL-500W router is on. Don't unplug or turn off the router at any point during the reset. Doing so could cause permanent damage to the router.

Second, find the reset button. Typically it is found on the back panel of your device. We have circled it's location for you in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Asus WL-500W router.

Using the tip of a sharpened pencil or pen press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds.

Remember that this WILL erase all configurations ever made to this router. Make sure to try other troubleshooting methods first.

Login to the Asus WL-500W

After you have finished resetting the Asus WL-500W router you need to login to it using the factory default username and password. We have found these for you and added them to the Login Guide for the Asus WL-500W.

Change Your Password

Now change that default password for the Asus WL-500W router. It's never a good idea to leave a password default. If creating new passwords isn't easy for you check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide for helpful tips and ideas to make it easier.

Tip: As long as your router isn't in a public area it's okay to write this new password down on a piece of paper and attach it to the bottom of the router for future reference.

Setup WiFi on the Asus WL-500W

In this last section we will discuss the security of your wireless network. Don't forget that this too has been reset. This includes everything from your network name/SSID, to your security method. For a full set of instructions on how to secure your WiFi check out our How to Setup WiFi on the Asus WL-500W guide.

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

NordVPN faster than ever 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 WL-500W Help

Be sure to check out our other Asus WL-500W info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Asus WL-500W. We also have the following guides for the same router: