This guide shows you how to reset your TP-Link TL-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 router to factory default settings. This is a much bigger deal than a router reboot. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. Resetting a router erases all settings from it and returns it to factory defaults.
Warning: Before you continue, there are a few things you need to know. The following settings will be changed in your router:
- The router's login and password are reset.
- Your WiFi name and password are reset.
- Any ISP settings saved in your router will be removed. You may have to contact your ISP.
- All port forwards, firewall settings, and 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. Before you reset your router you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.
Other TP-Link TL-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 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-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 4.5.4. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7
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 - Recover Lost or Forgotten Router Passwords
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-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7
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There is usually a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. Most reset buttons look like this:
Your reset button may look different, but usually they are very small. You may need a paper clip to push the reset button.
Hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds while watching the lights on the front of your router. After a few seconds the lights should blink differently. When this happens, the reset is complete. It is harmless to hold the reset button too long.
Don't forget, this step will totally reset your TP-Link TL-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 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-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7
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-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 Login Guide.
Change Your Password
Do not forget to change your router's default password when you log back into it. Leaving a router password set to default is a very serious security risk. 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-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 Guides
If you want additional help with your TP-Link TL-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 be sure to check out some of our other guides.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-WR541G\TL-WR542G v7 4.5.4. We also have the following guides for the same router: