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Reset the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2

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Setup Router Staff
Last Updated: | Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you need to reset your ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 router back to factory settings, then this article shows you how. Resetting a router is different than rebooting a router. Rebooting a router is simply turning it off and back on again. Resetting a router erases all settings from it and returns it to factory defaults.

Warning: Since this erases everything you have done to the router, there are some things you need to consider first. A router reset will affect the following settings:

  • The router's username and password are reset to factory defaults.
  • Your WiFi name and password are reset.
  • Your ISP settings are reset, which means you will have to contact your ISP to get them back.
  • All port forwards, firewall settings, and parental controls that you have configured will be removed.

A router reset should be considered the last resort when you cannot log in to your router any other way. Make sure that you have tried to recover your router password using our Router Password Finder first.

Other ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 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.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN!

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 ZyWALL 2. We also have the following guides for the same router:

Recover Password in ZyXEL ZyWALL 2

Instead of resetting your router back to factory settings, you may want to try running our Router Password Finder first.

Our Router Password Finder can recover your lost or forgotten router password without doing a full router reset, which can save you lots 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 ZyXEL ZyWALL 2

Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.

NordVPN faster than ever deal!

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.

There is usually a small reset button located on either the back or the bottom of a router. What you are looking for is something that looks like this:

Router Reset Button

Reset buttons are usually tiny. Yours may look slightly different than this. You may need a paper clip to push the reset button.

Watch the front panel lights while you hold the reset button down for at least 10 seconds. Notice how the lights on the front of the router are blinking. When the lights do something different, the router is reset. It is harmless to hold the reset button too long.

Keep in mind that this will completely reset your ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 router.

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 ZyXEL ZyWALL 2

Now you need to log in using the factory default username and password. Our ZyWALL 2 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. Since factory passwords are well known, it's a huge security risk to leave your router set to the default. Our Choosing a Strong Password guide talks about choosing a strong password for your router.

Tip: Put your new password on a post-in note and stick it to the bottom of your router.

Other ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Guides

This isn't our only ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 guide. We also have the following guides for this router.

This is the reset router guide for the ZyXEL ZyWALL 2. We also have the following guides for the same router: