If you need to reset your TP-Link Archer C5 router back to factory settings, then this article shows you how. A router reset is very different than a router reboot. Unplugging a router from the wall reboots it. A Router Reset completely erases the router and returns it to factory settings.
Warning: Make sure that you fully understand the following before resetting your router. A router reset will affect the following settings:
- The router's login 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.
- All port forwards, firewall settings, and parental controls that you have configured will be removed.
A router reset is the last step you should take in recovering your router's password. You should be sure that you have tried to at least recover your router password using our Router Password Finder before resorting to a router reset.
Other TP-Link Archer C5 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 C5. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link Archer C5
If you are resetting your router because you forgot your router password, then you should 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 - Lost or Forgotten Router Password Recovery Tool
Do not do a full router reset until after you have tried every other option to log in to your router.
Reset the TP-Link Archer C5
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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.
On most routers you can find a small button on the back or the bottom labeled reset. This is what a typical reset button looks like:
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.
Keep an eye on the lights on the front of your router while holding 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.
Remember, this will erase everything you have previously done to this TP-Link Archer C5 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 TP-Link Archer C5
Now that you have finished resetting your router, you need to log in using the default username and password from the factory. You can follow the Archer C5 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. The factory default passwords for routers are very well known. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide can help you pick a strong password for your router.
Tip: After creating this new password, we highly recommend writing this down on a post-it note and attaching it to the bottom of your router for future reference.
Other TP-Link Archer C5 Guides
This isn't our only TP-Link Archer C5 guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link Archer C5. We also have the following guides for the same router: