This guide shows you how to reset your Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2 router to factory default settings. This is not the same thing as rebooting a router. Unplugging a router from the wall reboots it. This is different from a reset because a reset completely erases all settings from the router.
Warning: Since this erases everything you have done to the router, there are some things you need to consider first. A router reset will affect the following settings:
- The router's login credentials are reset to factory defaults.
- All WiFi settings are reset, including network name and password.
- If your router has any ISP settings they will be removed, and you will have to contact your ISP.
- Any firewall settings, parental controls, and port forwards that you have configured will be removed.
A router reset is the last step you should take in recovering your router's password. Before you reset your router, you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.
Other Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2 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 Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2 v1.0.2.82_2.0.50. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2
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
Only after you have tried to recover your missing router username and password should you perform a full router reset.
Reset the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2
Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.
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.
On most routers you can find a small button on the back or the bottom labeled reset. Most reset buttons look like this:
Reset buttons are usually tiny. Yours may look slightly different than this. Sometimes the button is under a pinhole, and you need a paper clip to push it.
Hold the reset button down for 10 seconds and watch the lights. 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 Nighthawk RAX40v2 router.
Only take this last step of fully resetting your router after 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 Nighthawk RAX40v2
Now that you have finished resetting the router, you need to login to the router interface using the default username and password. You can follow the Nighthawk RAX40v2 Login Guide to find everything that you need to log in.
Change Your Password
Be sure to change your router's default password after you get logged back in. It is a huge security risk to leave your router's password set to the factory default. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide talks about choosing a strong password for your router.
Tip: Put your new password on a post-in note and stick it to the bottom of your router.
Other Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2 Guides
If you want additional help with your Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2 be sure to check out some of our other guides.
This is the reset router guide for the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40v2 v1.0.2.82_2.0.50. We also have the following guides for the same router: