Reset Router to Default Configuration

Last updated: August 2016

Reset Router to Default Configuration

Overview

If you need additional information or help to reset your router, try the reset steps in Reset Router to Factory Settings, see the Cisco support document Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings, refer to the documentation for your router model, or contact Cisco dCloud Support.


Reset Router Using Reset Button

To reset your router to its factory-default configuration using the Reset button:

  1. With the router powered off, connect the power cord to your router, and plug the power cord into your power source.
  2. Find the Reset button on the router.
  3. Press and hold the Reset button while you power on the router.
  4. Release the Reset button after 10 seconds.
  5. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the router to finish booting. You can check the lights on the router -- when the lights are solid or blink in repeating patterns, the router is finished booting.
  6. Power off your router.

At this point, your router is reset and will boot into its factory-default configuration the next time you power it on.


Reset Router Using Router Commands

To reset your router to its factory-default configuration using router commands:

  1. With your router powered off, connect the power cord to the router, and plug the power cord into your power source.
  2. Connect your laptop to the console port on your router with the console cable.
  3. Power on the router and wait 5 to 10 minutes for the router to finish booting. You can check the lights on the router -- when the lights are solid or blink in repeating patterns, the router is finished booting.
  4. On your laptop, start the terminal emulator program and use it to access your router's command line interface (CLI).
  5. In the router CLI, enter the commands in boldface to erase the existing configuration on your router and reload the factory-default configuration on the router:

    router> enable router# write erase 
    Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all configuration files! Continue? [confirm] 
    <Press Enter key> 
    router# reload 
    Proceed with reload? [confirm] 
    <Press Enter key> 
    -OR- 
    Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes|no] no 
    <Press Enter key>
    -OR-
    Do you want to save the configuration of the AP? [yes|no] no
    <Press Enter key>

  6. Wait until the reload or erase finishes and a CLI prompt or completion message appears.
  7. Close the terminal emulator window on your laptop.
  8. Power off the router.


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