This is the reset guide for the ZyXEL C2100Z router. This is not the same thing as rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. However, when you reset a router you, return it back to its factory default settings.
Warning: Before you continue, there are a few things you need to know. The following settings in your router will be changed:
- The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
- All WiFi information such as network name, password, and authentication method are erased.
- Your ISP username and password will be reset, and 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. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.
Other ZyXEL C2100Z 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 ZyXEL C2100Z CZQ002-4.16.011.30 CenturyLink. We also have the following guides for the same router:
Recover Password in ZyXEL C2100Z
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
If you are unable to recover your lost router password, then you may have to proceed with a full router reset.
Reset the ZyXEL C2100Z
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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.
Most of the time you can find a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. Most reset buttons look like this:
Reset buttons are usually tiny. Yours may look slightly different than this. 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. The lights on the front of the router should do something different when the reset happens. Keep holding the button as long as you want, it will not hurt anything to hold it down too long.
Just don't forget that this will totally reset your ZyXEL C2100Z 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 ZyXEL C2100Z
Now that you have finished resetting your router, you need to log in using the default username and password from the factory. Just follow our C2100Z Login Guide to find all of the information that you need.
Change Your Password
Be sure to change your router's default password after you get logged back in. 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: A great place to write your new password down is on a piece of paper taped to the bottom of your router.
Other ZyXEL C2100Z Guides
If you want additional help with your ZyXEL C2100Z be sure to check out some of our other guides.
This is the reset router guide for the ZyXEL C2100Z CZQ002-4.16.011.30 CenturyLink. We also have the following guides for the same router: