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

How to Reset the Linksys WRT54GL

Thumbnail image of Setup Router Staff
Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 4 minutes

On this page I am explaining how to reset the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router.

There is some confusion about what I mean when I use the term reset. Router manufacturers use the term reset to mean both a reset and a reboot. In this guide when I use the term reset I am referring to a full factory restore of all settings. All your personal data is lost in a reset. In this guide when I use the term reboot I am referring to cycle in the power to the unit. No settings are changed. To reboot your router you can simply unplug the power source, wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

Warning: Resetting the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router is a big step. You lose all settings you have changed in the past. I recommend making a list of all the settings you may of changed in the past. These include:

  • The router's main username and password used to access the router interface.
  • The WiFi settings such as the SSID and the Internet password.
  • Are you planning on resetting a DSL router? If so you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. If you don't know these values you need to call your service provider.
  • Other settings you may need to add to this list are port forwards, IP addresses, or maybe even parental controls.

Other Linksys WRT54GL Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54GL v4.30. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WRT54GL

Use a VPN

Have you considered using a VPN when you connect to the internet? A VPN is a great way to increase your security and anonymity while surfing.

We use and recommend NordVPN because not only is it the fastest VPN, it includes a new feature called Meshnet that makes securely sharing your home network super simple. 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 birthday deal!

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.

Below is an image of the back panel of the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router. I have circled the reset button for you in red. Most reset buttons are recessed to avoid accidental resets.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WRT54GL router.

While the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router is on, take a straightened paperclip and press down on the reset button for about 10 seconds to begin the reset process. If you don't hold the reset button down for long enough you might end up only rebooting the device instead of resetting it like you planned.

Warning: DO NOT unplug the router during the reset process. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the device.

Please remember a reset like this one 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 WRT54GL-v4.30 router.

Login to the Linksys WRT54GL

After the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router has been reset you will need to login to it by using the default IP address, password, and username. If you need help logging into your router be sure to check out our Login Guide for the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router.

Tip: Unable to login with the defaults? Try resetting the router again. Make sure that you hold down the reset button for a little longer this time to make sure that it properly resets.

Change Your Password

You should consider changing the password for your Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 router as soon as possible. The default password is easy to guess which makes it not very secure. Try to make your new password 14-20 characters long. Visit our Choosing a Strong Password guide if you need any help making a secure password.

Tip: Want to avoid losing you password? Try writing it down on a note of some kind and attaching it to the bottom of the router.

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30

Now it is time to start re-configuring the router's settings back to how you like them. Make sure that you also configure the WiFi settings. By doing this you will be securing your wireless network. For an easy to follow guide on this process, follow our Linksys WRT54GL-v4.30 WiFi Instructions.

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 WRT54GL Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WRT54GL info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54GL v4.30. We also have the following guides for the same router: