Setup Router logo in white Setup router name logo in white
Get Software

How to Reset the Linksys BEFSR41

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

On this page I will show you how to properly reset the Linksys BEFSR41v3 router back to the original factory default settings.

There is some confusion on the difference between a reset and 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 factory defaults.

Warning: Resetting this router is a big step. Please don't take this lightly. A reset erases every single personal setting you have ever changed. I recommend creating a list of all the settings you have ever changed in the past. These settings will include:

  • The router's main username and password used to access the interface.
  • Any port forwarding you have done in the past.
  • Any parental controls you have in place.
  • Changed IP addresses, DNS servers, etc...

Other Linksys BEFSR41 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR41 v3-v4-v5. 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.

The image below shows the reset button for you.

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

While the router remains on, take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This should start the reset process which can take several minutes to complete. 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 intended.

Warning: DO NOT unplug or turn off the device during the reset process. Doing so could cause permanent damage to the unit.

Please remember a reset like this one erases every single setting you have ever changed in the past. We strongly recommend trying other troubleshooting methods before you continue.

Login to the Linksys BEFSR41

The next step is to login to the device. To do this properly you need to use the factory default values. These include the IP address, username and password. We have compiled all this information for you in our Linksys BEFSR41v3 Login Guide.

Tip: Don't panic if the defaults didn't work. An easy mistake to make is to not hold the reset button down long enough. This results in a reboot instead of a reset.

Change Your Password

After a successful login you need to change the password you just used to access the interface. To create a strong password follow the instructions in our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: To avoid losing this password in the future you could write it down on a slip of paper and attach it to the bottom of the router for future reference.

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 v3-v4-v5. We also have the following guides for the same router: