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How to Reset the Dlink DSL-2542B

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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-2542B router back to factory defaults. This is not the same thing as a reboot. When you reboot a router you cycle the power. When you reset a router you take all the settings and return every one of them back to factory defaults.

Warning: This means every single setting you have ever changed is reverted back to factory defaults. We suggest making a list of the settings you know will be changed. This should include:

  • The router's main setup username and password.
  • Any port forwarding you have done.
  • Any IP address changes.
  • Any parental controls you have setup.

Other Dlink DSL-2542B Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Dlink DSL-2542B. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Dlink DSL-2542B

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.

Now that you are ready, take a look at the back panel of the device. There is a tiny button/pinhole circled in red.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Dlink DSL-2542B router.

Take an unbent paperclip or pen and press down on this button.

Continue to press this button while you turn the router off and back on again.

After the router is on again continue to hold this button for another 5 to 8 seconds.

If you don't hold this button down for the entire amount of time you may end up only rebooting the system instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Remember that a factory reset will wipe out any settings you have stored on this device. To avoid this we strongly recommend trying other trouble shooting methods first.

Login to the Dlink DSL-2542B

Once you've reset your Dlink DSL-2542B router you'll need to log into it. Do this by using the factory default username and password. If you're not sure where to find these, don't panic. We've provided them for you in our Login Guide.

Tip: Defaults not logging you in? It could be because the reset button wasn't held down long enough.

Change Your Password

After you've logged into your router we recommend setting a new password for it. Remember that this password will only protect your router settings. For help in doing so be sure to check out our Choosing a Strong Password Guide.

Tip: Prevent yourself from losing your new password by writing it on a sticky note and putting it on the bottom of your router.

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.

Dlink DSL-2542B Help

Be sure to check out our other Dlink DSL-2542B info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Dlink DSL-2542B. We also have the following guides for the same router: