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

How to Reset the Linksys WCG200

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

On this page I will be explaining how to reset the Linksys WCG200 router back to factory defaults. This is not the same thing as 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.

Warning: Resetting the Linksys WCG200 router is a big step. Before you reset the router you should make a list of all the settings you have changed in the past. These include settings such as:

  • The router's main username and password.
  • The WiFi settings such as the network name and password.
  • If you are resetting a DSL router you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. Call your local ISP for these details.
  • What other settings have you changed? How about port forwards or IP address changes.

Other Linksys WCG200 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WCG200. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WCG200

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.

To reset the Linksys WCG200 router you need to know where the reset button is located. If you take a look at the image below you can see the reset button is circled in red for you.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WCG200 router.

First of all, make sure the router is plugged in and on. Then with a ball point pen or straightened paperclip press and hold the reset button down for about 5 seconds. Make sure you hold the reset button down for the full 5 seconds. If you don't you might end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you planned.

Warning: DO NOT unplug or turn off the router during the reset process. If you do you may permanently damage the router.

Remember a reset like this one erases every single setting you have ever changed in the past. Please try other troubleshooting methods before you continue.

Login to the Linksys WCG200

Following the router reset you will need to login to your Linksys WCG200 router. This can be accomplished by using the default IP address, username, and password; all of which we have included in our Login Guide for the Linksys WCG200 router.

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

The password for your router should be changed from the default as soon as possible. The default password for your router is easy to guess and can leave it at risk. To get 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 a note of some kind and attaching it to the base of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WCG200

As you begin to reconfigure your router's settings, don't forget to also configure the WiFi settings. Doing so will help secure your wireless network. Check out our Linksys WCG200 WiFi Instructions for an easy to follow guide on this step.

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 WCG200 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WCG200 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WCG200. We also have the following guides for the same router: