This guide shows you how to reset your TP-Link TL-R402M router. Resetting a router is different than rebooting a router. Every time your router loses power it reboots. Resetting a router erases all settings from it and returns it to factory defaults.
Warning: Proceed with caution; resetting your router can be a major headache. The following settings will be changed in your router:
- The router's login credentials are reset to factory defaults.
- All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
- Your ISP username and password will be reset, and you may have to contact your ISP.
- Any firewall settings, parental controls, and port forwards that you have configured will be removed.
Resetting your router should be considered the last step. Before you reset your router, you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.
Other TP-Link TL-R402M Guides
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-R402M. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- TP-Link TL-R402M - How to change the IP Address on a TP-Link TL-R402M router
- TP-Link TL-R402M - TP-Link TL-R402M User Manual
- TP-Link TL-R402M - TP-Link TL-R402M Login Instructions
- TP-Link TL-R402M - How to change the DNS settings on a TP-Link TL-R402M router
- TP-Link TL-R402M - Information About the TP-Link TL-R402M Router
- TP-Link TL-R402M - TP-Link TL-R402M Screenshots
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-R402M
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 - 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 TL-R402M
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:
Yours may look slightly different, but they are usually tiny. Sometimes the button is under a pinhole, and you need a paper clip to push it.
Hold the reset button down for 10 seconds and watch the lights. You should notice that the blinking pattern of the lights on the front of the router changes after a few seconds. It is harmless to hold the reset button too long.
Don't forget, this step will totally reset your TP-Link TL-R402M router back to factory settings.
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 TL-R402M
Once the reset is complete, you need to login to your router using the default IP address, username, and password. You can find all of the information that you need in our TL-R402M Login Guide.
Change Your Password
Do not forget to change your router's default password when you log back into it. It is a huge security risk to leave your router's password set to the factory default. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide talks about choosing 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 TL-R402M Guides
Here are some of our other TP-Link TL-R402M guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-R402M. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- TP-Link TL-R402M - How to change the IP Address on a TP-Link TL-R402M router
- TP-Link TL-R402M - TP-Link TL-R402M User Manual
- TP-Link TL-R402M - TP-Link TL-R402M Login Instructions
- TP-Link TL-R402M - How to change the DNS settings on a TP-Link TL-R402M router
- TP-Link TL-R402M - Information About the TP-Link TL-R402M Router
- TP-Link TL-R402M - TP-Link TL-R402M Screenshots