This article covers how to reset the TP-Link Archer C50 v4 router back to factory default settings. This is a much bigger deal 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: 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 to factory defaults.
- All WiFi login information and network names are reset.
- Your ISP username and password will be reset, and you may have to contact your ISP.
- Any port forwards, firewall settings, or parental controls that you have configured 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. Before you reset your router, you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.
Other TP-Link Archer C50 v4 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 C50 v4 0.9.1 0.2 v0093.0 Build 180313. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link Archer C50 v4
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 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 - 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 TP-Link Archer C50 v4
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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.
There is usually a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. Most reset buttons look like this:
Even though yours may look slightly different, you need to look for a tiny button. 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 10 seconds and watch the lights. Notice how the lights on the front of the router are blinking. When the lights do something different, the router is reset. Do not be concerned about holding the reset button down too long. It will not hurt anything.
Just don't forget that this will totally reset your TP-Link Archer C50 v4 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 TP-Link Archer C50 v4
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 Archer C50 v4 Login Guide to find everything that you need to log in.
Change Your Password
You need to change your router's default password after you log in for the first time. Leaving a router password set to default is a very serious security risk. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide can help you pick a strong password for your router.
Tip: Write your new password down on a post-it note and stick it to the bottom of your router.
Other TP-Link Archer C50 v4 Guides
We have collected a lot of information about the TP-Link Archer C50 v4 router. You can find some of our additional content here.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link Archer C50 v4 0.9.1 0.2 v0093.0 Build 180313. We also have the following guides for the same router: