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How to Reset the Linksys BEFSR81

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

Have you tried to login to the Linksys BEFSR81v3 router and been unable to do so? It might be time to consider a reset.

The terms reset and reboot mean different things but a lot of people use these two terms interchangeably. In this guide when I use the term reboot I am referring to a cycle in the power to the device nothing more. When I use the term reset I am referring to a full restore of all settings back to factory defaults.

Warning: This means every single setting you have ever changed in the history of this router is erased. We highly recommend making a list of all the possible settings you have changed in the past. These settings include:

  • The router's main username and password.
  • What other settings have you changed? How about port forwards or IP addresses?

Other Linksys BEFSR81 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys BEFSR81 v3. 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 any reset is to locate the reset button on the outside of the device. This button should be labeled and typically looks more like a pinhole than a button. Router manufactures do this to avoid accidental resets.

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

While the router is on take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button until the Diag LED light on the front turns on and then off again. Once the LED light on the front goes out you can release the reset button. If you simply press and immediately release the reset button you will only be rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you intended.

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

This reset erases all your personal data. It is an extremely good idea to try other methods of troubleshooting before you decide to reset the Linksys BEFSR81v3 router.

Login to the Linksys BEFSR81

Now that the reset is complete you need to login using the appropriate default values. These can be found in our Linksys BEFSR81v3 Login Guide.

Tip: Did the defaults not work? It is possible you only rebooted the router instead of resetting it like you wanted. Go ahead and try again but hold the reset button down for a little longer.

Change Your Password

The next step is to change the default password. Check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide to help you make a strong password for your router interface.

Tip: One way to not lose this password is to write it down on a piece of paper and tape 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 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 v3. We also have the following guides for the same router: