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How to Reset the Linksys WRT54GX4

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

In this guide I show you how to reset your Linksys WRT54GX4 router back to the original factory defaults.

Before we begin, you need to know the difference between a reset and a reboot. These two terms are confused a lot. A reboot is a cycle in the power to the unit only. No settings are changed in a reboot. A reset takes all the settings you have changed in the past and reverts them back to factory defaults.

Warning: Settings that will change as a result of this reset are:

  • The router's username and password.
  • The wireless SSID and password.
  • Any port forwarding you have done is erased.
  • Is this a DSL router? If it is you need to re-enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP) username and password. To learn what these are you need to call your local service provider.

Other Linksys WRT54GX4 Guides

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54GX4. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Reset the Linksys WRT54GX4

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.

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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.

As you can see from the image below the reset button is on the sidepanel of the device. This reset button is more of a pinhole to avoid accidental resets.

router reset factory settings
This is the reset page from your Linksys WRT54GX4 router.

To reset the Linksys WRT54GX4 router simply take a straightened paperclip or similar object and press down on the reset button/pinhole for about 5 seconds. This begins the reset process which can sometimes take a minute or two to complete.

Note: Do not turn off the router or unplug it during the reset process. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the device.

Remember a reset like this one is erasing every single setting you have ever changed in the lifetime of the device.

Login to the Linksys WRT54GX4

Following the reset you will need to login to your Linksys WRT54GX4 router. To do this you will be required to use the default IP address, username, and password. Not sure what these are? You can find all the information you need to login to your router in our Linksys WRT54GX4 Login Guide.

Tip: If you can't login with the defaults then the router might have not been properly reset. Try resetting it again but this time hold down the reset button for a little longer to make sure that it properly resets.

Change Your Password

After you login to the Linksys WRT54GX4 router you should consider changing the password as soon as possible. Default passwords are easy to guess which makes them not very secure. Not sure where you get started with making a password? Visit our Choosing a Strong Password for some useful advice.

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

Setup WiFi on the Linksys WRT54GX4

Finally it is time to secure your wireless network. To accomplish this you will need to configure the router's WiFi settings. If you need help with this process then follow our WiFi Instructions for the Linksys WRT54GX4 router.

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NordVPN is the fastest VPN deal!

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Linksys WRT54GX4 Help

Be sure to check out our other Linksys WRT54GX4 info that you might be interested in.

This is the reset router guide for the Linksys WRT54GX4. We also have the following guides for the same router: