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How to Reset the Linksys RV042

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

If you are experiencing trouble logging into the Linksys RV042 router. It might be time to consider a reset.

A reset is not the same thing as a reboot. When you reboot a router you cycle the power to the device. No settings are changed during a reboot. When you reset a router all personal changes you have made to the router are erased and returned to factory defaults.

Warning: A reset like the one described here is a big step and should not be taken lightly. It is a good idea to write down all the possible settings you have changed in the past. These could include:

  • The router's main username and password.
  • Any port forwarding you have done.
  • IP addresses that have been changed.
  • Parental controls, DNS, etc...

Other Linksys RV042 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys RV042. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys RV042

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.

Taking a look at the image below you can see the reset button is on the back panel.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys RV042 router.

While the Linksys RV042 router is on take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 30 seconds. This begins the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for long enough you might end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it.

Warning: Sometimes it can take quite awhile for the reset to complete. Do not unplug or turn off the router during the process. You run the risk of permanently damaging the router if you do.

Remember a reset like this one erases every single setting you have ever changed in the past. We strongly recommend trying other troubleshooting methods first.

Login to the Linksys RV042

Now that the reset is complete it is time to login to your Linksys RV042 router using the default username, IP address, and password. If you are unsure of what these are, check them out in our Linksys RV042 Login Guide.

Tip: If the defaults aren't working you might have not held down the reset button for long enough. Try resetting the router again, but this time hold down the button for a little longer.

Change Your Password

The next step is to change the password that you just used to access the router to a more secure one. Not sure what makes up a strong password? Our Choosing a Strong Password guide will help you get started on securing your router.

Tip: Avoid losing your password by writing it down on some paper and attaching it to the underside of the router.

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 RV042 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys RV042 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys RV042. We also have the following guides for the same router: