This article covers how to reset the TP-Link TL-R480T Plus 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 very different from a reset, which erases a router completely and returns it to factory default settings.
Warning: Before you continue, there are a few things you need to know. The following settings in your router will be changed:
- The router's login credentials are reset to factory defaults.
- Your WiFi name and password are reset.
- If your router has any ISP settings they will be removed, and you will have to contact your ISP.
- Any firewall settings, parental controls, or port forwards that you have configured will be removed.
Resetting your router should be considered the last step. 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 TL-R480T Plus 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 TL-R480T Plus. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-R480T Plus
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 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 - 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 TL-R480T Plus
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Usually there is a reset button located on the back or bottom of a router. Most reset buttons look 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.
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. 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.
Keep in mind that this will completely reset your TP-Link TL-R480T Plus router.
Be sure to only reset your router if you have tried everything else, such as running our Router Password Finder software, which can find your lost or forgotten router password for you.
Login to the TP-Link TL-R480T Plus
Now that you have finished resetting the router, you need to login to the router interface using the default username and password. You can find all of the information that you need in our TL-R480T Plus Login Guide.
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. You can follow our Choosing a Strong Password guide to help you pick a solid password for your router.
Tip: A great place to write your new password down is on a piece of paper taped to the bottom of your router.
Other TP-Link TL-R480T Plus Guides
If you want additional help with your TP-Link TL-R480T Plus be sure to check out some of our other guides.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-R480T Plus. We also have the following guides for the same router: