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

How to Reset the Cisco Linksys E2500

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

When you reset your router you are not rebooting the router. A reboot is turning the device off, waiting a bit, then turning it back on. A router reset takes all the setting and returns them to original factory settings. This page shows you how to reset the Cisco Linksys-E2500 router back to factory settings.

Warning: Please make sure you really want to reset this router before you go any farther. Consider the following:

  • The router's main username and password are reverted to factory settings.
  • The Internet name, and password are likewise reverted to factory settings.
  • If you have a DSL router you need to re-enter the ISP username and password in order to continue using the Internet. Call your Internet Service Provider for more information.
  • If you have made any other changes like forwarded ports or IP address changes these are erased. If you want them to continue to be there you have to reconfigure them after you reset the Cisco Linksys-E2500 router.

Other Cisco Linksys E2500 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys E2500. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Cisco Linksys E2500

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 faster than ever 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.

Now that you have decided you want to reset the Cisco Linksys-E2500 router you should locate the reset button on the device itself. Turn the router upside-down. The reset button is located on the underside of the device. See the image below:

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Cisco Linksys E2500 router.

As you can see this button is quite small and recessed in the device itself. Take the end of an unwound paperclip or pin and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This initiates the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for long enough you may only reboot the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Please remember that this reset is going to erase every setting you have ever changed on this device. If you want to try and avoid this we highly recommend that you exhaust your other troubleshooting methods before continuing with a reset.

Login to the Cisco Linksys E2500

The next step after resetting the router is to login to the interface using the default username and password. We have this information for you if you are interested. Just click the link titled Cisco Linksys-E2500 Login Guide.

Change Your Password

Now it's a good idea to change the default password you just used. If you need help with this step or simply a refresher on passwords, check out our guide titled Choosing a Strong Password.

Tip: It's important that you don't lose this password. If you keep this router in your residence you can 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-E2500

The last setting we will remind you to check is the wireless settings. The security method of your network is important to network security. We recommend the use of WPA2 along with a strong password for your Internet access. If you want to learn more and for instructions on setting up a strong network check out our guide titled How to Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-E2500.

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 E2500 Help

Be sure to check out our other Cisco Linksys E2500 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys E2500. We also have the following guides for the same router: