In this article, you will learn how to reset your DS-LINK DS-WR301ND back to factory settings. Resetting a router is different than rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. Resetting a router erases all settings from it and returns it to factory defaults.
Warning: Make sure that you fully understand the following before resetting your router. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
- Your WiFi login, password, and network name are reset.
- Your ISP username and password will be reset, and you may have to contact your ISP.
- All parental controls, firewall settings, and port forwards will be removed.
A router reset should be considered the last resort when you cannot log in to your router any other way. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other DS-LINK DS-WR301ND 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.
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.
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 DS-LINK DS-WR301ND. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in DS-LINK DS-WR301ND
Before you resort to doing a full router reset, 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 - Automatically Recover Lost or Forgotten Router Passwords
Just keep in mind that a router reset should be done as the last resort when you are unable to login to your router.
Reset the DS-LINK DS-WR301ND
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There is usually a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. This is what a typical reset button looks like:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. You may need a paper clip to push the reset button.
Watch the lights on the front of your router and hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds. You should notice that the blinking pattern of the lights on the front of the router changes after a few seconds. Do not be concerned about holding the reset button down too long. It will not hurt anything.
Keep in mind that this will completely reset your DS-LINK DS-WR301ND 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 DS-LINK DS-WR301ND
Once the reset is complete, you need to login to your router using the default IP address, username, and password. We have a DS-WR301ND Login Guide with all this information ready for you.
Change Your Password
Be sure to change your router's default password after you get logged back in. Since factory passwords are well known, it's a huge security risk to leave your router set to the default. 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 DS-LINK DS-WR301ND Guides
Here are some of our other DS-LINK DS-WR301ND guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the DS-LINK DS-WR301ND. We also have the following guides for the same router: