This article covers how to reset the TP-Link Archer A8 router back to factory default settings. This is a much bigger deal than a router reboot. Turning a router off and back on again causes a reboot. Resetting a router erases all settings from it and returns it to factory defaults.
Warning: This is not a step to be taken lightly. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's login credentials are reset.
- Your WiFi login, password, and network name are reset.
- 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.
Since a router reset is such a drastic step, it should only be done as a last resort when you cannot recover your router's password using any other methods. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other TP-Link Archer A8 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 TP-Link Archer A8 1.4.6. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- TP-Link Archer A8 1.12.0 - Login to the TP-Link Archer A8
- TP-Link Archer A8 1.12.0 - Information About the TP-Link Archer A8 Router
- TP-Link Archer A8 1.12.0 - Reset the TP-Link Archer A8
Recover Password in TP-Link Archer A8
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
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 TP-Link Archer A8
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There is usually a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. This is what a typical reset button looks like:
Yours may look slightly different, but they are usually tiny. 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. Notice how the lights on the front of the router are blinking. When the lights do something different, the router is reset. It is harmless to hold the reset button too long.
Don't forget, this step will totally reset your TP-Link Archer A8 router back to factory settings.
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 TP-Link Archer A8
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. You can follow the Archer A8 Login Guide to find everything that you need to log in.
Change Your Password
Do not forget to change your router's default password when you log back into it. Since factory passwords are well known, it's a huge security risk to leave your router set to the default. If you need help coming up with a strong password, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.
Tip: A great place to write your new password down is on a piece of paper taped to the bottom of your router.
Other TP-Link Archer A8 Guides
This isn't our only TP-Link Archer A8 guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link Archer A8 1.4.6. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- TP-Link Archer A8 1.12.0 - Login to the TP-Link Archer A8
- TP-Link Archer A8 1.12.0 - Information About the TP-Link Archer A8 Router
- TP-Link Archer A8 1.12.0 - Reset the TP-Link Archer A8