This article covers how to reset the Netgear R4500 router back to factory default settings. A router reset is very different than a router reboot. 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: This is not a step to be taken lightly. A router reset will affect the following settings:
- The router's username and password are reset.
- 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.
- 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. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other Netgear R4500 Guides
This is the reset router guide for the Netgear R4500. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear R4500 - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear R4500 router
- Netgear R4500 - Netgear R4500 Login Instructions
- Netgear R4500 - Netgear R4500 User Manual
- Netgear R4500 - Setup WiFi on the Netgear R4500
- Netgear R4500 - Netgear R4500 Screenshots
- Netgear R4500 - Information About the Netgear R4500 Router
Recover Password in Netgear R4500
Instead of resetting your router back to factory settings, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.
Router Password Finder can save you a ton of time by recovering your lost or forgotten router password instead of doing a full router reset.
Router Password Finder - Lost or Forgotten Router Password Recovery Tool
Just keep in mind that a router reset should be done as the last resort when you are unable to login to your router.
Reset the Netgear R4500
Usually there is a reset button located on the back or bottom of a router. Most reset buttons look like this:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. 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.
Hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds while watching the lights on the front of your router. You should notice that the blinking pattern of the lights on the front of the router changes after a few seconds. Do not worry about holding the button down too long; this is harmless.
Remember, this will erase everything you have previously done to this Netgear R4500 router.
Be sure to only reset your router if you have tried everything else, such as running our Router Password Finder software, which can find your lost or forgotten router password for you.
Login to the Netgear R4500
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 R4500 Login Guide.
Change Your Password
After logging in, you should really change your router's password for added security. 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 R4500 Guides
Here are some of our other Netgear R4500 guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the Netgear R4500. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear R4500 - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear R4500 router
- Netgear R4500 - Netgear R4500 Login Instructions
- Netgear R4500 - Netgear R4500 User Manual
- Netgear R4500 - Setup WiFi on the Netgear R4500
- Netgear R4500 - Netgear R4500 Screenshots
- Netgear R4500 - Information About the Netgear R4500 Router