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

How to Reset the Cisco Linksys E1200

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

With this guide I will show you how to reset the Cisco Linksys-E1200 router back to original factory defaults. This is not the same thing as a reboot. Rebooting a router is simply cycling the power to the device. Resetting a router is erasing all your personal settings and returning them to factory defaults.

Warning: Resetting this router is a big step in troubleshooting. Make sure it's really what you want to do. We suggest making a list of settings you know will need to be reconfigured after the reset is complete. Consider the following:

  • The router's main username and password are replaced with the default values.
  • The Internet network name and password are replaced with the default values as well.
  • If you use DSL you need to re-enter the ISP username and password. To find out what these are you have to call your local Internet Service Provider.
  • Have you made any other changes to your router? These are erased. Make sure you write these down and reconfigure them after the reset process is complete.

Other Cisco Linksys E1200 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys E1200. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Cisco Linksys E1200

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.

Before you can reset the Cisco Linksys-E1200 router you have to know where the reset button is located on the device itself. Take a look at the image below for reference.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Cisco Linksys E1200 router.

As you can see this button is rather small. Take the end of an unwound paperclip and press down on the reset button for 5 to 10 seconds. Less than that and you may only reboot the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Please remember this is going to erase every setting you have ever changed on the Cisco Linksys-E1200. If you want to avoid re-configuring this router you should try other methods of troubleshooting first.

Login to the Cisco Linksys E1200

Next, login to the Cisco Linksys-E1200 router using the proper IP address, username, and password from the factory. These values can be found in our Login Guide for the Cisco Linksys-E1200.

Change Your Password

Change the password you just used to something you come up with. If you need help of just a refresher on passwords, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: It's important that you don't lose this password. If you keep this Cisco Linksys-E1200 in your home, write it down on a sticky note and stick it to the underside of the router for next time you need it.

Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-E1200

Finally we recommend checking on the WiFi settings. The Internet name needs to be personalized again. We recommend setting the security method to WPA2 along with a strong password. If you want to learn more about this topic, check out our guide titled How to Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-E1200.

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.

Cisco Linksys E1200 Help

Be sure to check out our other Cisco Linksys E1200 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys E1200. We also have the following guides for the same router: