# Resetting a wireless router to default **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 20, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304 "2011-10-20T22:58:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/1 "2011-10-20T22:58:21Z")
I have a Netgear wireless router. I set it up with medium security, and my laptop connects with no problem. However, when my kids come, no matter what I do, cannot get it to connect. I thought I kept a record of all the info when I initially set this up, but trying to connect a new device by putting in my passwords, etc, still does not work. I bought a 25 foot ethernet cable, so when they come they can connect with that. I just got a Roku device to be able to stream Netflix films, and that too would not let me connect. I used the ethernet cable for that, and it works fine, but it is frustrating not to be able to connect wirelessly. I think I finally figured out the problem. A few years ago I had a program called Network Magic, which was helpful, but after a while I did not need it, so uninstalled it. I recall now that gave me the option of adding more security by “hiding” the SSID and passwords, but as I no longer have a copy, can’t do anything about that. Finally, a question: if I push the reset button on the router to return everything to default, then set it up temporarily with no security, will I still be able to connect with my laptop? I assume so, but don’t want to try this unless can be sure. Then I can go back and set up some security. I live in a remote area, so am not really concerned, and WEP will probably be fine. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/2 "2011-10-20T23:10:34Z")
Generally, yes. But: a) You will need to tell your laptop the new network name (which will be something generic like “Netgear”). b) Pushing the reset is probably not enough. You usually need to hold it down for 10 seconds or so. Consult the manual. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/3 "2011-10-20T23:36:46Z")
Perhaps a simpler solution would be to purchase a second wireless router, plug it into the first, and have your children and guests connect to that. That way you can control their access more closely. But you should be able to get the SSID etc from one of your current PCs. The router will have a control web page - likely 192.168.x.1 - and you’ll be able to check all the settings from there. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/4 "2011-10-20T23:49:39Z")
Before you reset it, make sure you know the default password for the router. You can’t google without the internet! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/5 "2011-10-20T23:56:36Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Before you reset it, make sure you know the default password for the router. You can’t google without the internet! I don’t think this is an issue. The router will default to “out of the box” settings on reset, which will allow access to the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/6 "2011-10-21T00:22:22Z")
The OOB settings will be useless for internet connectivity if the router is connected to DSL & needs to have the PPOE configured before it can connect to the ISP. Geoff: suggest you download the manual for your router before you change anything. Try to browse to the router’s web page & see what you can learn about its current configuration. Take good notes. If you do use DSL, you will need your PPOE login settings. If you don’t have those on a piece of paper from your carrier, call thier customer service & get it. This will probably not be necessary if you’re getting your internet via cable. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/7 "2011-10-21T02:03:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The OOB settings will be useless for internet connectivity if the router is connected to DSL & needs to have the PPOE configured before it can connect to the ISP. > > Geoff: suggest you download the manual for your router before you change anything. Try to browse to the router’s web page & see what you can learn about its current configuration. Take good notes. > > If you do use DSL, you will need your PPOE login settings. If you don’t have those on a piece of paper from your carrier, call thier customer service & get it. This will probably not be necessary if you’re getting your internet via cable. Netgear doesn’t make any DSL routers. I checked. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/8 "2011-10-21T07:15:11Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Netgear doesn’t make any DSL routers. I checked. What? Yes they do. ---
**Author:** ![pkd88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@pkd88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkd88)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/9 "2011-10-21T07:26:00Z")
Modems and routers are two different things. You need a modem to connect to DSL. A router serves the purpose of distributing network traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/10 "2011-10-21T07:44:29Z")
> [@pkd88](#): > > Modems and routers are two different things. You need a modem to connect to DSL. A router serves the purpose of distributing network traffic. And Netgear make routers with built-in DSL modems, for example, the now-discontinued, but hugely popular [DG834](http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/wired-routers-and-modems/wired-routers/DG834.aspx), or their current product the [DGND3300](http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/wirelessrouters/high-performance/DGND3300.aspx). It may be that these aren’t routers in the sense that they would be found in a rack in a datacentre or some such, but that’s not the context of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/11 "2011-10-21T16:06:56Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Netgear doesn’t make any DSL routers. I checked. Makes no difference to me. I have cable! Anyway, thanks for the info y’all provided. I did know I have to hold the reset button in for ten seconds, as I have read the manual that is on the CD. Hey, **treis** , I don’t need no steenkin’ Internet to Google. 😃 Well, after digesting all this information, I am still reluctant to reset, as if I can’t connect with my laptop anymore, I’m SOL. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/12 "2011-10-21T16:17:46Z")
Have you tried just doing a soft reset? Unplugging it and plugging it back in. My router refuses connection to various wireless appliances every few days or so, and I just have to unplug it and plug it back in and everything can connect just fine. No settings are lost this way. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/13 "2011-10-22T17:16:26Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Netgear doesn’t make any DSL routers. I checked. Not to pile on, but in the spirit of fighting ignorance … A common configuration with DSL is to have a dedicated DSL modem device with a single RJ45 ethernet output. Then you plug that into the WAN side of a router (with or without wireless capability). Then all your network devices connect to the router. The router knows nothing of DSL, but does understand PPOE. And is responsible for providing the PPOE credentials to the dumb DSL modem which forwards them to the telco CO DSL endpoint. Nowadays there are integrated router/DSL modem combination boxes. But not all new installations are done that way, much less the legacy installation our OP has. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/14 "2011-10-22T17:38:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Not to pile on, but in the spirit of fighting ignorance … > > A common configuration with DSL is to have a dedicated DSL modem device with a single RJ45 ethernet output. Then you plug that into the WAN side of a router (with or without wireless capability). Then all your network devices connect to the router. > > The router knows nothing of DSL, but does understand PPOE. And is responsible for providing the PPOE credentials to the dumb DSL modem which forwards them to the telco CO DSL endpoint. > > Nowadays there are integrated router/DSL modem combination boxes. But not all new installations are done that way, much less the legacy installation our OP has. Not to doubt you, but I’ve never seen that configuration. All the clients I have that use DSL have a dedicated “Modem” that connects to a separate router. The DSL modem is configured first, and then the router is simply attached. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/15 "2011-10-22T18:11:13Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Makes no difference to me. I have cable! > > Anyway, thanks for the info y’all provided. I did know I have to hold the reset button in for ten seconds, as I have read the manual that is on the CD. > > Hey, **treis** , I don’t need no steenkin’ Internet to Google. 😃 > > Well, after digesting all this information, I am still reluctant to reset, as if I can’t connect with my laptop anymore, I’m SOL. In the interest of keeping things simple even if the router needs some setup parameters to work wirelessly, you have the option of connecting directly to the router via the aforementioned cable you provided for your kids. This should connect the notebook directly to the net with no setup necessary. NOTE - Anytime you reset a router, after resetting you should unplug BOTH the router and the cable modem for about 30 seconds then let them power back up. You should also cycle the power on your PC before re-connecting and logging on so all three devices modem-router-notebook are connecting “fresh”. Not all setups require this, but enough do that it is highly recommended. On some goofy scenarios like the one you mentioned (ie notebook connects but nothing else will connect wirelessly) if the problem persists after resetting per above on some rare occasions I’ve seen the problem has actually been with the nature of the cable modem connection parameters and you need to call the cable Internet provider to have then reset your connection parameters. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/16 "2011-10-22T23:10:14Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Not to doubt you, but I’ve never seen that configuration. > All the clients I have that use DSL have a dedicated “Modem” that connects to a separate router. The DSL modem is configured first, and then the router is simply attached. That’s really weird. It must be a geographical thing. I’m aware of the technical possibility of having a separate modem and router, I’ve never encountered that configuration in the wild. Here in the UK, everyone has a single device comprising DSL modem and integrated router, with a single web configuration interface to manage all functions. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/17 "2011-10-22T23:55:10Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > That’s really weird. It must be a geographical thing. I’m aware of the technical possibility of having a separate modem and router, I’ve never encountered that configuration in the wild. > Here in the UK, everyone has a single device comprising DSL modem and integrated router, with a single web configuration interface to manage all functions. Those exist but they are not the most common setup in the US. Many of the cable internet cable boxes leased to small businesses by ISPs are integrated modem + router/wireless boxes like yours. The residential units tend to be separate devices with the ISP providing the modem and the users getting router of their choice. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/18 "2011-10-23T00:29:01Z")
AT&T offers the optional purchase of a combo modem/router with their DSL service. much easier for those that are appliance operators. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resetting-a-wireless-router-to-default/600304/19 "2011-10-25T14:09:05Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > That’s really weird. It must be a geographical thing. I’m aware of the technical possibility of having a separate modem and router, I’ve never encountered that configuration in the wild. > Here in the UK, everyone has a single device comprising DSL modem and integrated router, with a single web configuration interface to manage all functions. I have a separate DSL modem and router, but I have the modem set to “bridge mode”, meaning it’s just a dumb connection-providing device. The PPPoE stuff is all programmed into the router. **KlondikeGeoff** , have you checked to see if you have the wireless MAC filtering turned on? If you do, it will only allow connections by devices that you specify, and if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t get access. I believe that when you log into your router, it’s under Wireless Settings, in a setting that’s labeled something like, “Turn Access Control On”. You can turn that off or add the new MACs to the access list, whichever. I believe the router can show you available devices to add to the list.