This article covers how to reset the TP-Link TL-WR840N router back to factory default settings. A router reset is very different than a router reboot. Every time your router loses power it reboots. A Router Reset completely erases the router and returns it to factory settings.
Warning: Since this erases everything you have done to the router, there are some things you need to consider first. When you reset your router, the following will happen.
- The router's username and password are reset.
- Your WiFi login, password, and network name are reset.
- Any ISP settings saved in your router will be removed. You may have to contact your ISP.
- All parental controls, firewall settings, and port forwards will be removed.
A router reset should be considered the last resort when you cannot log in to your router any other way. 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-WR840N 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-WR840N. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-WR840N
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
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-WR840N
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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:
Yours may look slightly different, but they are usually tiny. You might find a pinhole on the back of the router that requires a paper clip to push the button hidden under it.
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. Keep holding the button as long as you want, it will not hurt anything to hold it down too long.
Don't forget, this step will totally reset your TP-Link TL-WR840N router back to factory settings.
Only do this once 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-WR840N
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. We have a TL-WR840N Login Guide with all this information ready for you.
Change Your Password
After logging in, you should really change your router's password for added security. The factory default passwords for routers are very well known. If you need help coming up with a strong password, check out our Choosing a Strong Password guide.
Tip: Put your new password on a post-in note and stick it to the bottom of your router.
Other TP-Link TL-WR840N Guides
This isn't our only TP-Link TL-WR840N guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-WR840N. We also have the following guides for the same router: