Setup Router logo in white Setup router name logo in white
Get Software

How to Reset the Linksys WAG54GS

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

If you have tried multiple times to login to the Linksys WAG54GS router without any success it might be time to consider a reset.

When I use the term reset I do not mean reboot. When I use the term reboot I am only referring to a cycle in the power to the unit. When I use the term reset I am referring to a loss of all your personal data. A reset performs a full factory restore of all settings.

Warning: Resetting the Linksys WAG54GS router is a big step. ALL your personal data is lost during this process. I strongly recommend making a list of all the possible settings you may of changed in the past. Some of these settings should include:

  • The router's main username and password used to access the router's setup pages.
  • The Wireless settings such as the SSID, encryption, and password for the Internet.
  • If this is a DSL router you probably need to re-enter the ISP or Internet Service Provider username and password. To find out what these are you need to call your local provider.
  • What other settings have you changed? Have you made any port forwards or changed any IP addresses? Make sure to write them all down as they all need to be reconfigured after the reset is finished.

Other Linksys WAG54GS Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WAG54GS. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WAG54GS

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 faster than ever deal!

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.

Below you can see I have circled the reset button for you in red. The reset button for the Linksys WAG54GS router is more of a pinhole instead of a button. This is to avoid accidental resets.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WAG54GS router.

The first step in this reset is to make sure the Linksys WAG54GS router is plugged in and on. Then with a sharp object such as pin or straightened paperclip press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds. This starts the reset process. If you don't hold this button down for long enough you might end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you intended.

Warning: DO NOT unplug or turn off the Linksys WAG54GS router during the reset process. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the device.

Please remember this reset erases all personal data. I strongly recommend you try other methods of accessing your router first. A reset should be your last resort.

Login to the Linksys WAG54GS

Upon completing the router reset, you will need to login to your Linksys WAG54GS router. This can be done by using the default login information, which we have found and compiled for you in our Linksys WAG54GS Login Guide.

Tip: Defaults not working? The router might have not been properly reset. Try resetting it again but this time hold down the reset button for a little longer.

Change Your Password

After you successfully login to your router you should consider changing the password from the default as soon as possible. In order to keep your router secure, try to make your new password 14-20 characters long and have it contain no personal information. Visit our Choosing a Strong Password for additional advice on making a secure password.

Tip: If you want to avoid the risk of losing your password, try writing it down on some paper and attach it to the base of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WAG54GS

The next step is to secure your wireless network by configuring the WiFi settings for your router. This important step can be done easily by following our WiFi Instructions for the Linksys WAG54GS router.

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 WAG54GS Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WAG54GS info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WAG54GS. We also have the following guides for the same router: