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How to Reset the Linksys BEFSR41v4

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

Have you tried unsuccessfully to login to the Linksys BEFSR41v4 router without any success? It might be time to consider a reset. This type of reset is not the same thing as a reboot. When you reboot a router you cycle the power to the unit. When you reset the router you take all the settings that have ever been changed and revert them to factory defaults.

Warning: Be careful when you reset the Linksys BEFSR41v4 router. We strongly recommend trying other troubleshooting methods before you continue. It's also a good idea to make a list of all the possible settings you have changed in the past. These include:

  • the router username and password.
  • any port forwarding, IP addresses or DNS servers you have changed in the past.

Other Linksys BEFSR41v4 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR41v4. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys BEFSR41v4

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 first thing to do when you decide to reset a router is to find the reset button. In the image below I have circled the reset button for you in red.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys BEFSR41v4 router.

While the router is on, take a sharp object such as a straightened paperclip or pen and press down on the reset button for about 5 seconds. This begins the reset process. If you don't hold this button down for the full 5 seconds you might end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

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

Don't forget a reset like this one is going to erase every single setting you have ever changed in the lifetime of this router. Please try other troubleshooting methods before you continue.

Login to the Linksys BEFSR41v4

Now that you have reset the Linksys BEFSR41v4 router you need to login to the device. The only way to do this is use the default values. We have compiled these in our Linksys BEFSR41v4 Login Guide.

Tip: Did the defaults work? If they didn't it might be that you didn't hold the reset button down for long enough.

Change Your Password

You now need to change the Linksys BEFSR41v4default password. This password is extremely easy to guess making it a terrible password. Change this password using the Choosing a Strong Password page as your guide.

Tip: One way to avoid losing this password in the future is to write it down on a slip of paper and attaching it to the bottom of the device.

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

NordVPN birthday 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 BEFSR41v4 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys BEFSR41v4 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR41v4. We also have the following guides for the same router: