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How to Reset the Linksys WRT100

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

On this page I will be explaining how to properly reset the Linksys WRT100 router back to factory defaults.

There seems to be a lot of confusion between a reset and a reboot. When you reboot something you cycle the power to the unit. No settings are changed during this process. When you reset a router you take all the settings and return them all to factory defaults. This means all the settings you have changed are erased.

Warning: All your personal data is lost. I strongly recommend trying other troubleshooting methods before you decide to reset the Linksys WRT100 router. I also recommend making a list of all the settings you might of changed in the past. These settings include:

  • The router's interface username and password. These are used to access the router's setup pages.
  • The WiFi information such as the SSID and the Internet password.
  • Are you resetting a DSL router? If you are you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. Call your ISP for these details.
  • What other settings have you changed? Have you forwarded ports or changed IP addresses? If so you need to re-enter these as well.

Other Linksys WRT100 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT100. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WRT100

Use a VPN Instead

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  • 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.

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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 this image below you see the back panel of the Linksys WRT100 router. I have circled the reset button for you in red. Notice that the reset button is actually more of a pinhole.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WRT100 router.

The first step is to make sure the Linksys WRT100 is plugged in and turned on. Then take a straightened paperclip or similar object and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This should start the reset process.

Tip: 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 Linksys WRT100 router during the reset process. Doing so could result in permanent damage to the device.

Don't forget that this reset erases all your personal data. In order to retain this information you need to find a different way of fixing the problem you are having with your device.

Login to the Linksys WRT100

Now that the reset is complete you will need to login to your Linksys WRT100 router. To do this you will need to use the default IP address, password, and username. If you aren't sure of what these are you can find them in our Login Guide for the Linksys WRT100 router.

Tip: Defaults not working? You might have accidentally rebooted the router instead of resetting it. 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 Linksys WRT100 router you should considering changing the password. Default passwords are easy to guess and should be changed as soon as possible. To get started on securing your router visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide.

Tip: Avoid losing your password by writing it down on a slip of paper and then attaching it to the bottom of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WRT100

Next you should secure your wireless network by configuring the router's WiFi settings. Not sure how to do this? Follow our Linksys WRT100 WiFi Instructions to get this important step done easily.

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Linksys WRT100 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WRT100 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT100. We also have the following guides for the same router: