This is the reset guide for the Netgate 7100-1U router. A router reset is a much bigger deal than a router reboot. Every time your router loses power it reboots. Resetting a router erases all settings from it and returns it to factory defaults.
Warning: Since this erases everything you have done to the router, there are some things you need to consider first. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's login credentials are reset.
- All WiFi login information and network names are reset.
- Your ISP settings are reset, which means you will have to contact your ISP to get them back.
- All parental controls, firewall settings, and port forwards will be removed.
A router reset should be considered the last resort when you cannot log in to your router any other way. You should be sure that you have tried to at least recover your router password using our Router Password Finder before resorting to a router reset.
Other Netgate 7100-1U Guides
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.
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.
This is the reset router guide for the Netgate 7100-1U 2.5.1. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in Netgate 7100-1U
If the only reason that you are resetting your router is because you forgot your router password, then you may want to try running our Router Password Finder instead of resetting your router.
Router Password Finder is designed from the ground up to help you recover your forgotten router username and password, which can save you a lot of time.
Router Password Finder - Automatically Recover Lost or Forgotten Router Passwords
If you are unable to recover your lost router password, then you may have to proceed with a full router reset.
Reset the Netgate 7100-1U
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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.
Most of the time you can find a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. Most reset buttons look like this:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. You may need a paper clip to push the reset button.
Keep an eye on the lights on the front of your router while holding the reset button down for about 10 seconds. Notice how the lights on the front of the router are blinking. When the lights do something different, the router is reset. Keep holding the button as long as you want, it will not hurt anything to hold it down too long.
Remember, this will totally reset your Netgate 7100-1U router.
This last step should only be taken if you have tried everything else, such as using our Router Password Finder software, which can recover lost or forgotten router passwords.
Login to the Netgate 7100-1U
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. You can find all of the information that you need in our 7100-1U Login Guide.
Change Your Password
After logging in, you should really change your router's password for added security. The factory default passwords for routers are very well known. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide can help you pick a strong password for your router.
Tip: Write your new password down on a post-it note and stick it to the bottom of your router.
Other Netgate 7100-1U Guides
Here are some of our other Netgate 7100-1U guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the Netgate 7100-1U 2.5.1. We also have the following guides for the same router: