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

How to Reset the Linksys WRT54GH

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

Here on this page I will describe how to properly reset the Linksys WRT54GH router back to factory defaults. There is a lot of confusion between a reset and a reboot. When you reset a router you are taking all the settings and reverting every one of them back to factory defaults. When you reboot a router you simply cycle the power to the unit. Absolutely no settings are changed in a reboot.

Warning: Please understand that this guide is about resetting a router. All your personal data is lost in a reset. A reset should only be done after you have exhausted your other options. It is also a good idea to create a list of all the settings you have changed in the past. I started this list for you. Make sure to add to it any other settings you have changed in the past.

  • The router's main username and password used to access the router setup pages.
  • The wireless settings like the Internet password and the SSID or network name.
  • Are you resetting a DSL router? If so make sure you re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. Call your local provider for the details.
  • What other settings have you changed in the past. How about port forwards or IP address changes.

Other Linksys WRT54GH Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54GH. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WRT54GH

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.

On the image below I have circled the reset button for you in red. Please note that the reset button is on the side-panel.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WRT54GH router.

While the router is plugged in and powered on take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds. This begins the reset process. Don't worry if this takes several minutes to complete, that's perfectly normal. 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 router during the reset process. If you do you could cause permanent damage to the device.

It's important to remember this reset erases every single setting you have ever changed in the past. I strongly recommend trying other methods of troubleshooting before you decide to reset the Linksys WRT54GH router.

Login to the Linksys WRT54GH

After the reset you will need to login to your Linksys WRT54GH router. To do this you will be required to use the default login information. This includes the default IP address, password, and username. You can find this information in our Login Guide for the Linksys WRT54GH router.

Tip: If the defaults aren't working then you might have not held down the reset button for long enough during the router reset.

Change Your Password

Make sure that you secure your Linksys WRT54GH router by changing the password from the default to something secure. Try to make your new password unique, be 14-20 characters long, and have it contain no personal information. Visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide if you need additional advice on making a password.

Tip: Want to keep from losing your password? Try writing it down on some paper and attach it to the bottom of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WRT54GH

As you begin to reconfigure the router's settings make sure that you also configure the WiFi settings. By doing this you will be securing your wireless network. Follow our Linksys WRT54GH WiFi Instructions if you need any help with this important step.

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

NordVPN birthday 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 WRT54GH Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WRT54GH info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54GH. We also have the following guides for the same router: