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How to Reset the Linksys WRT54G

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 8 minutes

On this page I will be showing you how to reset the Linksys WRT54Gv4 router back to factory defaults. There are several reasons you may need to reset the router but the most common one is losing or forgetting the router's main username and password.

In this guide when you reset the router you are taking all the settings and returning them to factory defaults. This is not the same thing as a reboot. When you reboot a router you are cycling the power to the device.

Warning: This guide covers how to reset a router. All your personal data will be lost. Before you reset the Linksys WRT54Gv4 router you should make a list of all the settings you have changed in the past. I have started this list for you:

  • The router's main username and password.
  • The WiFi name and Internet password.
  • Is this a DSL router? If so you need to re-enter the ISP (Internet Service Provider) username and password. Call your ISP for these details.
  • What other settings have you changed in the past? How about port forwards or IP addresses?

Other Linksys WRT54G Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54G v4. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WRT54G

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.

In the image below you can see the reset button on the left. This little button is recessed so you don't accidentally reset the device.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WRT54G router.

First of all, you need to make sure the router is plugged in and turned on. Then take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This starts the reset process.

If you do not press this button down for the full 10 seconds you may end up only rebooting the router instead of resetting it like you wanted.

Warning: DO NOT unplug or turn off the Linksys WRT54Gv4 router during the reset process. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the router.

Don't forget that this reset erases every single setting you have ever changed in the past. I highly recommend exhausting your other methods of troubleshooting before you decide to reset.

Login to the Linksys WRT54G

After the Linksys WRT54Gv4 router has been reset you will have to login to it by using the default login information. Not sure what this is? You can find all the information you need to login to your router in our Linksys WRT54Gv4 Login Guide.

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

Once you successfully login to the router you should consider changing the password as soon as possible. Default passwords are easy to guess which makes them not very secure. Try to make your new password unique. If you need help making a password be sure to visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide for some useful advice.

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

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WRT54Gv4

Finally it is time to reconfigure the router's settings back to how you want them. Don't forget to also secure your wireless network by configuring the router's WiFi settings. Not sure how to do this? Follow our Linksys WRT54Gv4 WiFi Instructions to get this step done easily.

Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.

NordVPN faster than ever 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 WRT54G Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WRT54G info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54G v4. We also have the following guides for the same router: