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How to Reset the Linksys WRT160N

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 6 minutes

On this page I show you how to properly reset the Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL router back to factory defaults.

Do not confuse a reset with a reboot. When you reboot a router you cycle the power to the device. No settings are changed in a reboot. When you reset a router you take all the settings and return them to factory defaults. All your settings are changed during a reset.

Warning: Resetting the Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL router is a huge step. Please be aware of all the settings that will change when you reset the router. I recommend making a list of all the settings you have changed in the past. These will need to be reconfigured afterwards. These settings include:

  • The router's main username and password.
  • The WiFi SSID and Internet password.
  • Are you resetting a DSL router? If so you need to re-enter the ISP (Internet Service Provider) username and password. If you don't know what this is call your local Internet provider.
  • Finally think of all the other settings you have changed. What about port forwards or IP addresses?

Other Linksys WRT160N Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT160N v2-NL. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WRT160N

Use a VPN Instead

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  • 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.

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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.

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 the reset button is circled in red. This tiny little reset button is more of a reset pinhole. This is done to avoid accidental resets.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WRT160N router.

The first step is to make sure the Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL router is plugged in and switched on.

Then take a sharp object such as a straightened paperclip or ball point pen and press down on the reset button for about 5 seconds. This starts the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for the full 5 seconds 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 can cause permanent damage.

Please don't forget that this reset is erasing all your personal settings. I strongly recommend trying other methods of troubleshooting before you begin.

Login to the Linksys WRT160N

Now that the Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL router has finished resetting you will need to login to it. This can be done by using the default login information which includes the default IP address, password, and username. If you aren't sure what these are, all of the information you need to login to your router can be found in our Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL Login Guide.

Tip: Can't login with the defaults? You might have not held down the reset button for long enough during the router reset.

Change Your Password

After you login to your router you should change the password from the default. Default passwords are easy to guess which means they should be replaced as soon as possible. Not sure what goes into a secure password? Visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide to get started.

Tip: Avoid losing your password by writing it down on paper for future reference and then attaching it to the underside of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL

Tip: Finally you can start reconfiguring your router's settings back to how you want them. Just make sure that you also configure the WiFi settings and in doing so secure your wireless network. For an easy to follow guide on this important step, check out our WiFi Instructions for the Linksys WRT160Nv2-NL router.

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NordVPN is the fastest VPN deal!

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Linksys WRT160N Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WRT160N info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT160N v2-NL. We also have the following guides for the same router: