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How to Reset the Linksys BEFSR41

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 4 minutes

Have you been trying to login to the Linksys BEFSR41 router without success? It might be time to try a reset. Now 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 to factory defaults.

Warning: Resetting this router is a big step and should not be taken lightly. We strongly recommend making a list of all the possible settings you have changed in the past. Some of these settings will be:

  • the router's main username and password.
  • Have you made any other changes to this device? If so go ahead and write these down as well.

Other Linksys BEFSR41 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR41 v1. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys BEFSR41

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.

Below you can see the reset button for the Linksys BEFSR41 router. I have circled it for you in red.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys BEFSR41 router.

While this router is on, take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for at least 10 seconds. This begins the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for long enough you might end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Caution: Do not unplug or turn off the router during this process! Doing so could result in permanent damage.

Remember a reset like this one is erasing every single setting you have ever changed in the past. We strongly recommend trying other troubleshooting methods before you decide on a reset.

Login to the Linksys BEFSR41

After the reset is complete you need to login using the default values. This means using the factory given IP address, username and password. We have all this information for you on our Linksys BEFSR41 Login Guide.

Tip: If those default values didn't work it is quite possible you didn't hold the reset button down for long enough. Try again but hold the reset button down for a bit longer this time.

Change Your Password

A default password is an easy password to remember. An easy password to remember is a terrible password. Change this immediately! If you need help or just a refresher course on passwords read our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: If you want to avoid losing this new password you can do many things. One is to write it down on a sticky note and attach it to the bottom of the router for next time.

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.

Linksys BEFSR41 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys BEFSR41 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR41 v1. We also have the following guides for the same router: