If you need to reset your TP-Link TL-WR842ND router back to factory settings, then this article shows you how. This is not the same thing as rebooting a router. Every time your router loses power it reboots. However, when you reset a router you, return it back to its factory default settings.
Warning: Make sure that you fully understand the following before resetting your router. A router reset will affect the following settings:
- The router's login 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 is the last step you should take in recovering your router's password. 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-WR842ND 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-WR842ND 3.12.24. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in TP-Link TL-WR842ND
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-WR842ND
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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.
Usually there is a reset button located on the back or bottom of a router. This is what a typical reset button looks like:
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 10 seconds and watch the lights. The lights on the front of the router should do something different when the reset happens. It is harmless to hold the reset button too long.
Remember, this will erase everything you have previously done to this TP-Link TL-WR842ND 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-WR842ND
Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. Just follow our TL-WR842ND Login Guide to find all of the information that you need.
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. 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-WR842ND Guides
This isn't our only TP-Link TL-WR842ND guide. We also have the following guides for this router.
This is the reset router guide for the TP-Link TL-WR842ND 3.12.24. We also have the following guides for the same router: