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How to Reset the Linksys E4200

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

If you are having trouble logging into the Linksys E4200 router it might be time to consider a reset.

There is some confusion as to what exactly a reset is. A lot of people use the term reset to mean both a reboot and a restore. In this guide when I use the term reboot I am referring to a cycle in the power to the Linksys E4200 router. No settings are changed in a reboot. When I use the term reset I am referring to a full factory restore of all settings. This means every setting you have ever changed is erased and reverted back to how it was when the router left the factory.

Warning: A factory reset is a big step and should not be taken lightly. I strongly recommend trying other options first before you decide on resetting the Linksys E4200 router. It is also a good idea to make a list of all the possible settings you have changed in the lifetime of the router. Some of these settings are:

  • The router's main username and password. (Forgetting what these are is the number one reason for needing to reset.)
  • The WiFi SSID, encryption and password.
  • If this is a DSL router you need to re-enter the ISP or Internet Service Provider username and password. Call your local provider for these details.
  • All other settings you have changed such as port forwards or IP address changes.

Other Linksys E4200 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys E4200 1.0.00. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys E4200

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 very first step in a router reset is to find the physical reset button. The reset button normally looks less like a button and more like a pinhole. I have circled the reset button/pinhole in the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys E4200 router.

While the router remains on take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 5 to 10 seconds. This begins the reset process which can sometimes take several minutes to complete. It is also common for a router to simply reboot if you don't hold the reset button down long enough.

Warning: While the reset is happening DO NOT unplug or turn off the router! Doing so oftentimes results in permanent damage to your router.

Remember a reset like this one is going to erase every single setting you have ever changed in the history of this device. I strongly recommend trying other troubleshooting techniques before you decide on a reset.

Login to the Linksys E4200

Now that the reset is finished, you will need to login to the router. You can do this using the default password, username, and IP adress which we have found for you and have included in our Linksys E4200 Login Guide.

Tip: If the defaults didn't work try resetting the router again, but this time hold down the reset button for a little longer.

Change Your Password

Now that you have logged into the router, you should consider changing the password. The default password is easy to guess, making it a terrible password. For help coming up with a secure and unique password, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: If you want to avoid losing this password you could write it down on a slip of paper and stick it to the bottom of the device.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys E4200

Now it is time to being to reconfigure the settings on your router back to how you prefer them. Don't forget to also configure the wireless settings. Follow our Linksys E4200 WiFi Instructions for some simple instructions on how to secure your network.

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

NordVPN is the fastest VPN 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 E4200 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys E4200 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys E4200 1.0.00. We also have the following guides for the same router: