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How to Reset the Huawei EchoLife HG521

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 3 minutes

Have you tried to login to the Huawei EchoLife-HG521 router and been unsuccessful? It might be time for a reset. A reset is not the same thing as a reboot. When you reboot a router you cycle the power to the unit. When you reset a router you take all the settings and return them all to how they were from the factory.

Warning: This means every setting you have ever changed is erased and reverted back to factory defaults. Take caution when resetting the Huawei EchoLife-HG521 router. Some of the settings that are changed are:

  • The router's main username and password are erased.
  • The WiFi username and password are erased.
  • If this is a DSL router you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. Call your local ISP for the details.
  • If you have made any other changes such as port forwards or IP address changes these need to be re-entered after the reset is over.

Other Huawei EchoLife HG521 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Huawei EchoLife HG521. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Huawei EchoLife HG521

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 image below shows the side panel of the Huawei EchoLife-HG521 router. I have circled the reset button for you in red.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Huawei EchoLife HG521 router.

While the router is on, take a straightened 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 long enough you might end up only rebooting the device instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Remember a reset like the one you see here is erasing every single setting you have ever changed. We highly recommend trying other troubleshooting methods before you decide to reset the Huawei EchoLife-HG521 router.

Login to the Huawei EchoLife HG521

Once you've reset the Huawei EchoLife-HG521 router you'll want to log into it. This is done by using the factory default username and password. Not sure where you can find these? We have them listed for your use in our Login Guide.

Tip: If the defaults aren't logging you in it could be because the reset button wasn't held down for long enough.

Change Your Password

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

Tip: Avoid losing your new password by writing it on a slip of paper and attaching it to the underside of your router.

Setup WiFi on the Huawei EchoLife-HG521

You can now reconfigure the WiFi settings. For an easy to follow guide on the subject check out our Huawei EchoLife-HG521 WiFi Instructions.

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

NordVPN faster than ever 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.

Huawei EchoLife HG521 Help

Be sure to check out our other Huawei EchoLife HG521 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Huawei EchoLife HG521. We also have the following guides for the same router: