This is the reset guide for the TP-Link TL-WR820N router. 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: Proceed with caution; resetting your router can be a major headache. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
- Your WiFi name and password are reset.
- All ISP settings will reset to default, and you may have to contact your ISP.
- Any firewall settings, parental controls, or port forwards 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. 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-WR820N 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-WR820N 1.4.2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-WR820N
Instead of resetting your router back to factory settings, you may want to 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
Only after you have tried to recover your missing router username and password should you perform a full router reset.
Reset the TP-Link TL-WR820N
Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.
You might notice that most of our site doesn't have ads on it. This is because we use partnerships with companies like NordVPN to keep the site running. Thank you for supporting us by using our referral links.
You can usually find a small reset button on either the back or the bottom of a router. What you are looking for is something that looks like this:
Yours may look slightly different, but they are usually tiny. You may need a paper clip to push the reset button.
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.
Don't forget, this step will totally reset your TP-Link TL-WR820N router back to factory settings.
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 TL-WR820N
Now that you have finished resetting your router, you need to log in using the default username and password from the factory. Our TL-WR820N 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's a very bad idea 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-WR820N Guides
If you want additional help with your TP-Link TL-WR820N be sure to check out some of our other guides.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-WR820N 1.4.2. We also have the following guides for the same router: