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How to Reset the Linksys EA4500

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

Have you been trying to login to the Linksys EA4500 router without success? It might be time to consider a reset.

A reset is not the same thing as a reboot. When you reboot something you are cycling the power to the unit. When you reset something you are taking all the settings and returning them all to factory defaults.

Warning: This reset is a big step and should not be taken lightly. We recommend making a list of possible settings you have changed in the past. These include the:

  • router's main username and password.
  • WiFi SSID and password for the Internet.
  • If this is a DSL router you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider username and password. Call your local ISP for these details.
  • What other settings have you changed in the past? How about port forwards or parental controls?

Other Linksys EA4500 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys EA4500. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys EA4500

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 a reset is to find the reset button on the outside of the router. For the Linksys EA4500 router you can find it on the back panel. Take a look at the image below.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys EA4500 router.

While the router is on take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for at least 10 seconds. This starts the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down long enough you end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Warning: DO NOT unplug or turn off the Linksys EA4500 router during the reset process. Doing so could result in permanent damage to the unit.

Please remember a reset like this erases all your personal data. It is very good idea to try other troubleshooting methods before you decide to reset this router.

Login to the Linksys EA4500

Now that the reset is finished it is time to login to the router using the default login information. Our Login Guide for the Linksys EA4500 router contains all of the information that you will need.

Tip: If the defaults dont work try resetting the router again, but hold down the reset button for a little longer this time.

Change Your Password

The next step after logging into the router is to change the password to a secure one. Try to make your password unique and about 14-20 characters long. If you need aditional help coming up with a password, visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: Try writing down your password on some paper and attach it to the bottom of the router so that you won't ever lose it.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys EA4500

Finally, you should configure your wireless settings so that your network will be secure. Check out our Linksys EA4500 WiFi Instructions for an easy to understand walk-through of this process.

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Linksys EA4500 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys EA4500 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys EA4500. We also have the following guides for the same router: