This article covers how to reset the TP-Link Archer C50 router back to factory default settings. This is not the same thing as rebooting a router. A reboot happens every time a router loses power. 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 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 port forwards, firewall settings, or parental controls that you have configured 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 TP-Link Archer C50 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. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link Archer C50
Before you resort to doing a full router reset, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.
Our Router Password Finder can recover your lost or forgotten router password without doing a full router reset, which can save you lots of time.
Router Password Finder - Lost or Forgotten Router Password Recovery Tool
A router reset should be the last thing you try if you are unable to login.
Reset the TP-Link Archer C50
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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:
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. The lights on the front of the router should do something different when the reset happens. Do not worry about holding the button down too long; this is harmless.
Remember, this will erase everything you have previously done to this TP-Link Archer C50 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
Once the reset is complete, you need to login to your router using the default IP address, username, and password. You can follow the Archer C50 Login Guide to find everything that you need to log in.
Change Your Password
After logging in to your router for the first time, you need to change your router's password. Since factory passwords are well known, it's a huge security risk to leave your router set to the default. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide talks about choosing a strong password for your router.
Tip: Write your new password down on a note and tape it to the bottom of your router for future reference.
Other TP-Link Archer C50 Guides
This isn't our only TP-Link Archer C50 guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link Archer C50. We also have the following guides for the same router: