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

How to Reset the Cisco Linksys EA3500

Thumbnail image of Setup Router Staff
Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 4 minutes

Before we begin you need to know the difference between resetting a router and rebooting a router. When you reboot your router you are cycling the power to the device. When you reset your router you are erasing all the configurations on the device and returning everything to factory defaults. This page goes over how to reset the Cisco Linksys-EA3500 router back to it's original factory defaults.

Warning: Please be sure you really want to reset this router before proceeding. A router reset can cause more problems for you if you are unaware of what settings will be changed. Please consider the following before resetting this router:

  • Any settings such as port forwards or IP address changes are erased.
  • If you own a DSL router you have to re-enter the ISP username and password to continue to use the Internet. Call your local Internet Service Provider for more information.
  • The Internet name and password are erased and returned to how they were from the factory.
  • The router setup username and password are likewise returned to factory settings.

Other Cisco Linksys EA3500 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys EA3500. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Cisco Linksys EA3500

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.

After you have decided you want to reset the Cisco Linksys-EA3500 router you should learn where the reset button is located. For this particular model it is found on the underside of the device. We have a picture of it for you below:

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Cisco Linksys EA3500 router.

As you can tell the reset button is designed in order to avoid accidental resets. To press this button you need to use a small sharp object such as a pin or unfolded paperclip. Press the reset button for around 10 seconds. If you don't hold this button down for long enough you end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Please make sure this is really what you want to do before proceeding. A reset will erase every personal configuration you have ever made. If you want to avoid the reconfiguration process after the reset is complete you should try other troubleshooting options first.

Login to the Cisco Linksys EA3500

After the reset process is complete you will have to login to the router setup pages using the default IP address, username, and password. These can be found in the manual or in our Login Guide for that router.

Change Your Password

It's always a good idea to change the default passwords. These aren't that hard to find if you know where to look. Change them so your router is secure. If you need help figuring out a new password just use our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: Don't lose this password. If you keep this router in your home it's okay to write it down on a piece of paper and attach it to the bottom of the router for future reference.

Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-EA3500

Now take a look at the WiFi settings. These include the network name, the Internet password, and the encryption method for your network. You have to personalize your SSID again, change the default Internet password, and choose the strongest encryption (WPA2) for your network. If you want more information on this topic and step-by-step instructions take a look at our How to Setup WiFi on the Cisco Linksys-EA3500.

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

NordVPN is the fastest VPN 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 EA3500 Help

Be sure to check out our other Cisco Linksys EA3500 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Cisco Linksys EA3500. We also have the following guides for the same router: