This article covers how to reset the Cisco RV180W router back to factory default settings. This is a much bigger deal than a router reboot. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. A Router Reset completely erases the router and returns it to factory settings.
Warning: Proceed with caution; resetting your router can be a major headache. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's username and password are reset.
- Your WiFi name and password are reset.
- Any ISP settings saved in your router will be removed. You may have to contact your ISP.
- Any port forwards, firewall settings, or parental controls that you have configured will be removed.
A router reset is the last step you should take in recovering your router's password. You should be sure that you have tried to at least recover your router password using our Router Password Finder before resorting to a router reset.
Other Cisco RV180W Guides
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.
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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.
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.
This is the reset router guide for the Cisco RV180W. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in Cisco RV180W
Instead of resetting your router back to factory settings, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.
Our Router Password Finder can recover your lost or forgotten router password without doing a full router reset, which can save you lots of time.
Router Password Finder - Lost or Forgotten Router Password Recovery Tool
Do not do a full router reset until after you have tried every other option to log in to your router.
Reset the Cisco RV180W
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On most routers you can find a small button on the back or the bottom labeled reset. Most reset buttons look like this:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. You might find a pinhole on the back of the router that requires a paper clip to push the button hidden under it.
Hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds while watching the lights on the front of your router. You should notice that the blinking pattern of the lights on the front of the router changes after a few seconds. You cannot hold the button too long, and it will not hurt the router to hold the reset button down for longer than 10 seconds.
Just don't forget that this will totally reset your Cisco RV180W router.
Be sure to only reset your router if you have tried everything else, such as running our Router Password Finder software, which can find your lost or forgotten router password for you.
Login to the Cisco RV180W
Now that you have finished resetting your router, you need to log in using the default username and password from the factory. We have a RV180W Login Guide with all this information ready for you.
Change Your Password
After logging in, you should really change your router's password for added security. Leaving a router password set to default is a very serious security risk. You can follow our Choosing a Strong Password guide to help you pick a solid password for your router.
Tip: Write your new password down on a note and tape it to the bottom of your router for future reference.
Other Cisco RV180W Guides
If you want additional help with your Cisco RV180W be sure to check out some of our other guides.
This is the reset router guide for the Cisco RV180W. We also have the following guides for the same router: