In this article, you will learn how to reset your TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5 back to factory settings. A router reset is very different than a router reboot. Unplugging a router from the wall reboots it. A Router Reset completely erases the router and returns it to factory settings.
Warning: Make sure that you fully understand the following before resetting your router. The following settings will be changed in your router:
- The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
- 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.
Since a router reset is such a drastic step, it should only be done as a last resort when you cannot recover your router's password using any other methods. Before you reset your router, you may want to try recovering your router password with our Router Password Finder.
Other TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5 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-WR741ND v5 3.16.9. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5
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 - Recover Lost or Forgotten Router Passwords
Just keep in mind that a router reset should be done as the last resort when you are unable to login to your router.
Reset the TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5
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Usually there is a reset button located on the back or bottom of a router. Look for something that looks like this:
Yours may look slightly different, but they are usually tiny. Sometimes the reset button is under a pinhole on the back of the router, and you need a paper clip to push it.
Watch the lights on the front of your router and hold the reset button down for about 10 seconds. After a few seconds the lights should blink differently. When this happens, the reset is complete. Do not be concerned about holding the reset button down too long. It will not hurt anything.
Remember, this will erase everything you have previously done to this TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5 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 TL-WR741ND v5
Now that you have finished resetting the router, you need to login to the router interface using the default username and password. Our TL-WR741ND v5 Login Guide has all of the information that you need.
Change Your Password
After logging in to your router for the first time, you need to change your router's password. It is a huge security risk to leave your router's password set to the factory default. If you need help coming up with a strong password, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.
Tip: Write your new password down on a post-it note and stick it to the bottom of your router.
Other TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5 Guides
Here are some of our other TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5 guides that you might be interested in.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-WR741ND v5 3.16.9. We also have the following guides for the same router: