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How to Reset the Linksys BEFSR81

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

On this page I will show you how to properly reset the Linksys BEFSR81 router back to the original factory defaults.

Exactly what type of reset are you going to do here? This reset erases every single setting you have ever changed and reverts them all to factory defaults. This is not the same thing as a reboot which simply cycles the power to the unit.

Warning: Resetting this router is a big step and should not be taken lightly. We highly recommend making a list of all the possible settings you changed. This list will include:

  • the router's main username and password.
  • any port forwarding you have done in the past.
  • if you have parental controls setup you need to write these down as well.
  • any IP addresses you may of changed or DNS servers you setup.

Other Linksys BEFSR81 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR81. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys BEFSR81

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 step in resetting the Linksys BEFSR81 router is to find the reset button. This can be located anywhere on the device. Typically it is found on the back panel. I have located it for you and circled it in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys BEFSR81 router.

While the router is on take a small sharp object such as a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button until the red "Diag" LED on the front panel turns on and off completely. Then release the reset button. This begins the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down until the "Diag" LED turns on and off again you may simply reboot 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 result in "bricking" your router. This means you have permanently damaged the router.

Remember a reset like this is erasing every setting you have ever changed. We highly recommend exhausting your other troubleshooting methods before you continue.

Login to the Linksys BEFSR81

When you have finished the reset process you should login to the Linksys BEFSR81 router to begin the reconfiguration process. Use the default IP address, username and password. We have all this information for you in our Linksys BEFSR81 Login Guide. Go ahead and check it out.

Tip: Did the defaults fail to work? It might be that you didn't hold the reset button down for long enough. Try again but hold the reset button down for a bit longer.

Change Your Password

It is now a great time to change the default password to the router interface. Change this password using our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: To avoid losing this password again try writing it down on a slip of paper and attaching it to the bottom of the router.

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Linksys BEFSR81 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys BEFSR81 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR81. We also have the following guides for the same router: