This article covers how to reset the TP-Link Archer C5400 router back to factory default settings. Resetting a router is different than rebooting a router. A reboot happens every time a router loses power. This is different from a reset because a reset completely erases all settings from the router.
Warning: This is not a step to be taken lightly. The following settings in your router will be changed:
- The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
- All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
- 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.
A router reset should be considered the last resort when you cannot log in to your router any other way. Before you reset your router, you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.
Other TP-Link Archer C5400 Guides
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link Archer C5400. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link Archer C5400
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 - Automatically 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 C5400
Most routers have a small button on either the back or the bottom. Look at your router and try to find 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. You should notice that the blinking pattern of the lights on the front of the router changes after a few seconds. You cannot hold the button too long, and it will not hurt the router to hold the reset button down for longer than 10 seconds.
Just don't forget that this will totally reset your TP-Link Archer C5400 router.
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 C5400
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. Our Archer C5400 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. It is a huge security risk to leave your router's password set to the factory default. You can follow our Choosing a Strong Password guide to help you pick a solid 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 C5400 Guides
Here are some of our other TP-Link Archer C5400 guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link Archer C5400. We also have the following guides for the same router: