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How to Reset the Dlink DSL-2500E

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 2 minutes

On this page I will be showing you how to reset the Dlink DSL-2500E. Before I begin I want to explain the difference between a reset and a reboot. When you reboot a device you are cycling the power to the unit. When you reset something you take all the settings and erase them from the memory of the unit and return all settings back to how they were from the factory.

Warning: This reset could cause problems for you if you don't know what settings have been changed and what ones have not been changed. Please consider the following:

  • The modem setup username and password are erased and reverted back to factory defaults.
  • Have you changed the IP address to this device? Have you chosen a DNS? Any settings you have changed are erased and need to be reconfigured.

Other Dlink DSL-2500E Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Dlink DSL-2500E. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Dlink DSL-2500E

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.

The first step in this reset is to know where the reset button is. This tiny little button can be found on the back panel of the device. I have circled it's location for you in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Dlink DSL-2500E router.

Take a bent paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This begins the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for long enough you end up only rebooting the device instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Remember this reset will erase every setting you have ever changed on this device. If you want to avoid this we recommend trying other methods of troubleshooting.

Login to the Dlink DSL-2500E

Next you should log into your Dlink DSL-2500E router. Do so by using the factory default username and password supplied to you in our Login Guide.

Tip: Defaults not working for you? It may be because the reset button wasn't held for long enough.

Change Your Password

Now that you've logged into your modem you'll need to set a new password for it. This can be anything you like, however keep in mind that a strong password is 14-20 characters in length and includes no personal information. For more help take a look through our Choosing a Strong Password Guide.

Tip: Avoid losing your new password by writing it on a sticky note and attaching it to the bottom of your modem.

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Dlink DSL-2500E Help

Be sure to check out our other Dlink DSL-2500E info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Dlink DSL-2500E. We also have the following guides for the same router: