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Reset the Netgear CG3100D-2

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

This guide shows you how to reset your Netgear CG3100D-2 router to factory default settings. A router reset is very different than a router reboot. Turning a router off and back on again causes a reboot. A Router Reset completely erases the router and returns it to factory settings.

Warning: This is not a step to be taken lightly. A router reset will affect the following settings:

  • The router's login credentials are reset to factory defaults.
  • All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
  • All ISP settings will reset to default, and you may have to contact your ISP.
  • Any parental controls, firewall settings, or 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. Before you reset your router you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.

Other Netgear CG3100D-2 Guides

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.
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  • Check that your VPN will not affect your speed.
  • Verify that your VPN provider uses WireGuard as the underlying protocol.
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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.

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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.

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This is the reset router guide for the Netgear CG3100D-2. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Recover Password in Netgear CG3100D-2

Instead of resetting your router back to factory settings, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.

Our Router Password Finder can recover your lost or forgotten router password without doing a full router reset, which can save you lots of time.

Router Password Finder - 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 Netgear CG3100D-2

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Most routers have a small button on either the back or the bottom. Look at your router and try to find something that looks like this:

Router Reset Button

Even though yours may look slightly different, you need to look for a tiny button. If you find a pinhole on the back of the router then that may be the reset button. You will need a paper clip to push it.

Watch the lights on the front of your router and hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds. After a few seconds the lights should blink differently. When this happens, the reset is complete. Do not worry about holding the button down too long; this is harmless.

Remember, this will totally reset your Netgear CG3100D-2 router.

Only do this once you have exhausted all other troubleshooting options, such as running our Router Password Finder software, which can recover a lost router password for you.

Login to the Netgear CG3100D-2

Now that you have finished resetting the router, you need to login to the router interface using the default username and password. Our CG3100D-2 Login Guide has all of the information that you need.

Change Your Password

After logging in to your router for the first time, you need to change your router's password. The factory default passwords for routers are very well known. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide talks about choosing a strong password for your router.

Tip: A great place to write your new password down is on a piece of paper taped to the bottom of your router.

Other Netgear CG3100D-2 Guides

If you want additional help with your Netgear CG3100D-2 be sure to check out some of our other guides.

This is the reset router guide for the Netgear CG3100D-2. We also have the following guides for the same router: