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How to Reset the Linksys WET54GS5

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

On this page I will show you how to properly reset the Linksys WET54GS5 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 previously changed settings and return them to factory defaults.

Warning: A factory reset like this one erases every single setting you have ever changed. If you want to retain this information DO NOT reset the Linksys WET54GS5 router. Before resetting the Linksys WET54GS5 router take a moment and write down the settings you may of changed during the lifetime of this device. I have started the list for you:

  • The main username and password used to access the router interface.
  • The WiFi information such as SSID and password.
  • Is this a DSL router? You need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. Find out what these are by calling your service provider.
  • What other settings have you changed? Don't forget settings such as port forwards, parental controls, and IP addresses.

Other Linksys WET54GS5 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WET54GS5. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WET54GS5

Use a VPN

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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.
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  • Check that your VPN will not affect your speed.
  • Verify that your VPN provider uses WireGuard as the underlying protocol.
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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.

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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.

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In the image below you can see the Linksys WET54GS5 router reset button. This button is more of a pinhole to avoid accidental resets.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WET54GS5 router.

While the router is plugged in and on take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This begins the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for the full 10 seconds you might end up only rebooting the device instead of resetting it like you wanted.

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

I strongly recommend trying other methods of troubleshooting before you decide to reset the Linksys WET54GS5 router. Remember this reset erases every single setting you have ever changed in the past.

Login to the Linksys WET54GS5

Upon completing the reset you will be required to login to your Linksys WET54GS5 router by using the default IP address, password, and username. Here at setuprouter.com we have found this information and included it in our Login Guide for the Linksys WET54GS5 router.

Tip: Defaults not working? You might have accidentally rebooted your router instead of resetting it. 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. Default passwords are easy to guess and not very secure. Try to make your new password 14-20 characters long and contain no personal information. Check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide for more password making tips.

Tip: Worried about losing your password? Try writing it down on paper for future reference, and then attach it to the bottom of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WET54GS5

Finally it is time to begin re-configuring the router's settings back to how you like them. Make sure that you also configure the WiFi settings. Follow our Linksys WET54GS5 WiFi Instructions to get started on securing your wireless network.

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Linksys WET54GS5 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WET54GS5 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WET54GS5. We also have the following guides for the same router: