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How to Reset the Cisco Linksys E1000

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

This guide shows you how to reset the Cisco Linksys-E1000 router back to factory defaults. There is a difference between resetting a router and rebooting a router. A reboot is cycling the power to the device. A reset takes all the settings and returns them to how they were from the factory.

Warning: Resetting the router is a big step. Please be sure you know what settings will be changed. Please consider the following:

  • If you use a DSL router you need to re-enter the ISP username and password. If you don't know what these values are you should call your local Internet Service Provider.
  • The router's username and password are reverted to factory defaults.
  • The Internet name and password are reverted.
  • Any additional settings you have made such as port forwards or DNS changes are all erased and need to be reconfigured when the reset is complete.

Other Cisco Linksys E1000 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys E1000 2.1.02. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Cisco Linksys E1000

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.

Once you have decided you want to reset the router you should find where the reset button is located. We have circled it's location for you in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Cisco Linksys E1000 router.

This button is quite small and as a result you need to take an unwound paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. If you don't hold this button down for the entire time you may only reboot the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Please be aware that this WILL erase every setting you have ever changed on this router. If you want to try and avoid having to reconfigure the entire router after this reset process is complete you should try other trouble shooting techniques first.

Login to the Cisco Linksys E1000

After the reset process is a success you need to login to the Cisco Linksys-E1000 router using the appropriate default username and password. We have these for you in our Cisco Linksys-E1000 Login Guide.

Change Your Password

It's now a good idea to change the default password you just used. If you need help coming up with a new password or just need a refresher on the subject check out our guide titled Choosing a Strong Password.

Tip: If this router is in your home you should take this new password and write it down on a slip of paper and attach it to the bottom of the router for future reference.

Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-E1000

Finally, it's a good idea to check on the Cisco Linksys-E1000 wireless settings. These are easy to forget. For the strongest network security choose WPA2 with a strong password. If you want to get step-by-step instructions check out our How to Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-E1000 router.

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Cisco Linksys E1000 Help

Be sure to check out our other Cisco Linksys E1000 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys E1000 2.1.02. We also have the following guides for the same router: