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How to Reset the Linksys SPA-400

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

On this page I will describe how to properly reset the Linksys SPA-400 VoIP Gateway router.

There is a lot of confusion about the difference between a reset and a reboot. WHen you reboot a router you cycle the power to the unit. When you reset a router you take all the settings and return them all to factory defaults. This means every single setting you have ever changed is erased and returned to how it was from the factory.

Warning: Make sure you use caution when resetting a router. It is a big step and should not be taken lightly. I recommend making a list of all the possible settings you may of changed in the past. Consider the following:

  • The router's main username and password will be erased and returned to how they were from the factory.
  • Any port forwarding you have done is lost.
  • IP addresses that have been changed will need to be reconfigured.
  • Parental controls, DNS, etc... are all erased during a reset.

Other Linksys SPA-400 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys SPA-400. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys SPA-400

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.

In the image below I have circled the reset button for you in red. Notice that this reset button is more of a pinhole.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys SPA-400 router.

While the device remains on take a bent paperclip or similar object and press down on the reset button for approximately 10 seconds. This starts 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 like you wanted.

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

Remember a reset like the one you are about to carry out will erase every single setting you have ever changed. I strongly recommend exhausting your other troubleshooting options first.

Login to the Linksys SPA-400

Now that the router has been reset you need to login to it using the default IP address, username, and password. This login information has been found for you and compiled in our Linksys SPA-400 Login Guide.

Tip: Defaults not working? You may have not held down the reset button for long enough during the router reset.

Change Your Password

Once you successfully gain access to the router you should consider changing the password as soon as possible. Default passwords are easy to guess and can leave your router at risk. If you need any help getting started on making a secure password, visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: Want to avoid losing your password? Try writing it down on some paper and attaching it to the base 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 SPA-400 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys SPA-400 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys SPA-400. We also have the following guides for the same router: