This guide shows you how to reset your SmartRG SR516ac router. Resetting a router is different than rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. This is different from a reset because a reset completely erases all settings from the router.
Warning: Before you proceed, there are a few things you need to know. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's username and password are reset.
- All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
- Any ISP settings saved in your router will be removed. You may have to contact your ISP.
- Any port forwards, firewall settings, or parental controls that you have configured will be removed.
Resetting your router should be considered the last step. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other SmartRG SR516ac 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 SmartRG SR516ac 2.6.1.10 TekSavvy. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - Information About the SmartRG SR516ac Router
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - Reset the SmartRG SR516ac
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - SmartRG SR516ac Screenshots
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - Login to the SmartRG SR516ac
Recover Password in SmartRG SR516ac
Before you resort to doing a full router reset, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.
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
A router reset should be the last thing you try if you are unable to login.
Reset the SmartRG SR516ac
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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. What you are looking for is something that looks like this:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. Sometimes the button is under a pinhole, and you 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. 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.
Don't forget, this step will totally reset your SmartRG SR516ac router back to factory settings.
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 SmartRG SR516ac
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. Our SR516ac Login Guide has all of the information that you need.
Change Your Password
You need to change your router's default password after you log in for the first time. Since factory passwords are well known, it's a huge security risk to leave your router set to the default. You can follow our Choosing a Strong Password guide to help you pick a solid 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 SmartRG SR516ac Guides
Here are some of our other SmartRG SR516ac guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the SmartRG SR516ac 2.6.1.10 TekSavvy. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - Information About the SmartRG SR516ac Router
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - Reset the SmartRG SR516ac
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - SmartRG SR516ac Screenshots
- SmartRG SR516ac 1.0.0.102 - Login to the SmartRG SR516ac