Skip to main content

How do you reset a Netgear router?

While upgrading to a new router could potentially deliver better benefits to your home network — like Wi-Fi 6 — you could save some money by diagnosing your existing Netgear setup if you’re having Internet problems. So before you decide on an expensive hardware upgrade if you have lingering problems, like connectivity problems or slow speeds, you can try quickly restoring or rebooting your router.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Netgear router

  • PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone

  • Paper clip or other blunt pin

netgear nighthawk raxe300 wi fi 6e orbi pro for business
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Netgear routers

Netgear is a ubiquitous name in the router business, and the company manufactures a diverse range of routers, mobile hotspots, and Wi-Fi whole-home mesh systems under a number of brands, including the gaming-forward Nighthawk line and its Orbi systems. As such, procedures for resetting or restarting your Netgear router could vary slightly from model to model or between various lines.

If you have specific questions about your router, you can always visit Netgear’s support page. From there, you can search for details about your specific router or mesh model, and look up details on how to reset your router.

how to change router wifi password nighthawk app 2  1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Restart first

Restarting your router should be a first step if you have any issues with your current home network. Most modern routers come with a processor, memory, and a small amount of storage, making them akin to a computer or smartphone. If there’s a problem, power cycling your router can help clear out the cache to help it run more smoothly.

Typically, restarting your router involves unplugging the device from power, waiting ten seconds, and then plugging the router back into power again. Periodically performing a soft reset, or power cycle, can help keep your router running at optimal performance.

If you need help with the restarting process, be sure to check out our guide.

best small business routers netgear nighthawk ax12 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Restoring your router

Restoring your router to factory defaults should be one of the last steps you take. Resetting your router will in effect wipe out your network name, password, and any other settings you may have already set up. Once you’ve completed the factory reset, you’ll need to set up these settings once again.

Step 1: Make sure your router is turned on. On most routers, you can confirm that the router is on — even if you cannot connect other devices to it — by checking to see if any of the device’s lights or on.

best long range wi fi routers netgear orbi 5g
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Locate the reset hole on the back of the router. The reset hole will be designated by the word “reset” on top of it or just to the side. On most Netgear routers, the reset hole is only slightly larger than a pinhead, and it’s located on the rear of the router next to the power plug and Ethernet ports.

how to reset netgear router button
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Find a pin or paperclip. If using the latter, unbend the paperclip and insert it into the reset hole.

Step 4: You’ll want to press the paperclip or pin into the reset hole and hold it for about 10 seconds. The timing will vary between various Netgear-branded routers. For example, the company recommends pressing the reset button for about seven seconds for a standard Netgear router, but it could take as long as 30 seconds for a Nighthawk Pro gaming router.

how to reset netgear router orbi
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Release the reset button and allow the router to boot up. It may take a few minutes for the router to fully boot up and connect to your modem.

Step 6: After the router has booted up, follow Netgear’s instructions for your router model to begin setting up your home network. On some routers, you’ll be able to use a smartphone-based app to connect and set up your network, including giving your network a unique SSID name and password. Other models will require you to navigate to a web-based portal on your browser to connect. You can enter www.routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 into the address bar to begin. The administrator username is generally just “admin” and the password is “password”. From the portal, you’ll be able to change your network administrator login credentials change your Wi-Fi channel settings, and even change your network SSID information.

Pro Tip: If you remember your SSID and network password before you reset your router, you can use the same SSID and password. This way, you won’t have to reconnect all the devices in your home — including smart home and IoT devices — to the new network.

These simple steps should help you clear out any kernel panics or bugs from your router’s memory in case something goes wrong. While performing a factory restore should be one of the last steps taken, occasionally restarting your router can help keep your network performing at optimal levels. If none of these steps work, try our router diagnostic guide.

And if you're ready to upgrade to a new router, be sure to check out our buying guide for the best Wi-Fi routersand the best Wi-Fi whole-home mesh network.

Editors' Recommendations

Chuong Nguyen
Silicon Valley-based technology reporter and Giants baseball fan who splits his time between Northern California and Southern…
The best modem-router combos for 2023
Netgear's Orbi CBR750 sits on a table beside an iPad, with a laptop is in the background.

To connect to the Internet from your home, you’ll need two pieces of equipment — a capable modem that pulls a signal from your internet service provider, or ISP, and a router, which broadcasts the signals over Wi-Fi. For many homes, these are two distinct devices, a modem and a router, but there are also router-modem combo devices that can do both jobs at once.

Upgrading your cable modem to a combo unit that also includes a built-in Wi-Fi router can help improve your wireless reception at home while saving you space and money. By owning your own modem outright as part of a modem-router combo, you won’t need to rent out a box from your cable company, eliminating the cost of a monthly subscription charge, and you’ll also be able to simplify your home networking setup.

Read more
How to find your printer IP address and WPS PIN
the best home printers

Sometimes, you need your printer's IP address or WPS PIN to set up and manage it. That information can help with Wi-Fi connections. Whether you have an HP, Epson, Canon, or Brother printer, we'll show you how to find the IP address and WPS PIN so you can solve any wireless network issues.

That information might be buried deep within menu settings, even when you buy the best printers.

Read more
These are the best Wi-Fi routers for 2023
Netgear's Nighthawk RAXE500 tri-band router.

If you are looking to improve your wireless network speeds, then you should probably think about upgrading your router, especially if you indulge in streaming high-definition videos or online gaming. Going for a new router model can also help enhance the extent of wireless coverage, thus allowing seamless usage throughout your home or office space. Among the options available, we particularly recommend Netgear's Nighthawk RAXE300, which impressively combines a plethora of features.

In addition to our top pick, we've reviewed and compared some of the latest router models to curate a selection of the finest Wi-Fi routers currently on the market. Have a look at our recommendations below to gain insights into which device aligns best with your requirements. Whether you're seeking a Wi-Fi 6 router, a budget-conscious alternative, or the ultimate choice for gaming, we have your preferences covered.

Read more