This is a common query for home internet users – how to factory reset their routers; in other words, restore them to completely default settings, as they where when the router shipped new from the factory.
This is possible on almost all routers, and in this guide, we’ll provide a detailed guide for Canada based users on how to factory reset the routers of all the major Canadian internet providers that most people will have heard of.
We’ll first start with a general process for doing this that more or less applies to most routers, and then move onto specific steps for the routers of specific Canadian ISPs, for more clarity and precision, covering:
- Bell Internet
- Shaw
- Rogers Internet
- Sasktel
- Telus
- Velcom
- VMedia
- Altima
- Teksavvy
The General Process For Factory Resetting a Router
Here’s a generic process for factory resetting any router that should more or less make sense regardless of the brand or internet provider. It’s a generic template of how to restore a router to default settings that should work and make sense with most routers:
In list form:
- Make sure the router is switched on
- Find the recessed “reset” or “factory reset” hole on the side or back.
- Push a pin or safety clip into this hole for up to 30 seconds.
- Wait for all lights to go out on the router and release
- Wait up to 5 minutes for the process to complete.
- Once the lights on the front are solidly on, it’s completed.
- All login, passwords and settings are reverted to default.
The 2 most common scenarios:
Scenario #1 – The router’s got a simple reset button somewhere prominent, and also a reset/factory reset hole somewhere else. This is pretty clear. Quickly pressing the reset button quickly resets the router (also known as a power cycle – does not wipe any settings). The reset hole is what you push a pin into for 20 seconds for the full reset (will wipe all settings and restore router to default).
It often looks something like this:
Scenario #2 – The router seems to only have one reset button sticking out, with no reset hole anywhere. When this is the case, it’s more likely that quickly pressing the reset button will do a quick reset, whereas pressing and holding the reset button for 10-20 seconds will do the full factory reset.
However, the exact buttons and process, and the location of the factory reset button, can vary a little bit between different ISP routers; we’ll cover specific steps for each of the major Canadian ISPs further below.
What Does Factory Resetting a Router Do?
Just so users know exactly what they are doing when factory resetting a router, here is a list of things that will be lost or reverted to default once you do this:
- All custom Wi-Fi SSIDs/usernames and passwords to access the network will be lost and reset to the defaults indicated on the sticker on the back of the router. So any users who need to reconnect will need to find the router again on the network list and re-enter the default password to use the Wi-Fi.
- If you have also set custom values for the router login admin/password (to change settings), these will also be reset back to the default values indicated on the sticker on the back.
- If any gamers have set a static IP for their console on the router, this will be deleted and they’ll have to do it again.
- Any other custom settings that were configured on the router (eg. QoS, DNS settings, DMZ) will be lost and need to be reconfigured.
- All logs and stored browsing history will be wiped off the router.
- Factory resets can sometimes also take longer than quick resets, with a disruption of connection for sometimes several minutes.
- See our article on resetting your router for more on this, plus how to get settings back to how they were if you need to.
Now that readers know the general process and what it does, let’s specifically cover the process for each of the biggest and well known Canadian internet providers.
Factory Resetting Bell Routers
The Bell Connection Hub has a small reset hole on the underside near the DSL port and power socket. Push a sharp object into it and hold until the power lights on the Hub turn off, then wait several minutes for the reset to complete.
Once you’ve factory reset the Bell router/hub, you will need to update the username and password, basically changing it from the default to something else. See here for a guide from Bell on resetting their routers, plus our own guide on default router logins for major Canadian ISPs including Bell.
Factory Resetting Shaw Routers
Shaw internet modems have a small pin hole reset button located on the back. Push a pin or other sharp object into this hole for 15 seconds until the lights on the modem/router flash, and then wait several minutes for the reset to complete.
All login credentials and Wi-Fi password will be reset to the defaults indicated on the sticker on the router itself.
See here for a quick guide from Shaw on resetting their modem routers.
Factory Resetting Rogers Routers
Rogers are a little more complicated as they have lots of different modem-router models they issue to customers, but here is a summary answer:
Most Rogers modem/routers have a reset button or hole on the back or side which you need to push in for 10-15 seconds until the lights on the modem flash. You may then need to wait a few minutes for the process to complete. Most models can also be reset by logging into the router settings page (192.168.0.1 plus the username/password) and looking for a factory reset option.
However, let’s be more specific and run through the general factory reset process for each of the models:
- Ignite Wi-Fi Gateway XB6 (Black) – Push a pin into the reset hole on the back of the modem near the coaxial cable connection, until the light on the modem changes to green.
- Ignite Wi-Fi Gateway XB7 (White) – Find the WPS button near the telephone ports on the modem, and press and hold for at least 30 seconds and release. Wait for the light at the top to flash green and then wait several minutes for the process to complete.
- Hitron CODA 4582 Modem – Open a web browser and type in 192.168.0.1 and then “Cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password. Go to the Device Reset tab and select Factory Reset.
- Hitron CGN3AMR Modem – Open a web browser and type in 192.168.0.1 and then “Cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password. Go to the Device Reset tab and select Factory Reset.
- Hitron CGNM3552, CGN3ACR, or CGN3 – Press and hold the reset button on the back for 10 second until the lights flash. Alternatively, go to any browser and type 192.168.0.1 and then “cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password, and go to Admin….Device Reset….Factory Reset.
- Hitron CGN2 – Press and hold the red reset button for 10 seconds until the lights flash. Alternatively, go to any browser address bar and type 192.168.0.1, and then type “cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password. Select Login, and then go to WAN/LAN……Backup….Factory.
- Cisco DPC3825 Modem – Push a pin into the reset hole on the back for 10 seconds until the lights flash. Alternatively, open any browser and type 192.168.0.1 and then “cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password. Select Login and then go to Administration…..Factory Defaults…..Restore Factory Defaults
- Cisco DPC2325 Modem – Press and hold the reset button/hole for 10 seconds until the lights flash. Alternatively, open any browser and type 192.168.0.1 and then “cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password. Select OK, then go to Setup….Basic Settings…..Reset Default…..Restore All Cable Modem Parameters to Factory Default Settings
- SMC D3GN Modem – Press and hold something sharp into the reset hole for 10 seconds until the lights flash. Alternatively, open any browser and type 192.168.0.1 and then “cusadmin” for the username and “password” for the password. Select Login, then go to Tools….Configuration Tools…..Factory Reset.
With Rogers modem/routers, once you perform a factory reset, you will also need to set the modem up again, either manually or using Rogers Easy Connect.
See here for a helpful illustrated guide from Rogers, where you can pick the router you’ve got a see detailed factory reset steps for each one if you need more help. Also if you aren’t sure which modem/router you have, sign in to MyRogers and go to Overview…Internet and your model should be displayed.
Factory Resetting Sasktel Routers
Sasktel don’t seem to have a specific page on their site yet on factory resetting their routers, but one would assume the general process would be the same as it is for most routers and most ISPs:
Look for the recessed reset hole on the back of the router and press a pin into it for up to 20 seconds until the lights flash. Wait several minutes for the factory reset to complete.
Contact Sasktel Support if you need any further help resetting their routers.
Factory Resetting Telus Routers
As a general rule, you can reset Telus routers by finding the reset hole on the back and pushing a pin or other sharp object into it for up to 30 seconds until the internet light turns red. You may then have to wait several minutes for the reset to complete.
Telus are another Canadian provider who do use a selection of different routers, so let’s run through the factory reset process for each specific model:
- Telus Wi-Fi Hub (White) – Find the grey Factory Reset Hole on the back and push a pin into it until the internet light turns red. Release and allow up to 10 minutes for the process to complete.
- Actiontec T3200M – Find the red reset hole on the back and push a pin or other sharp object into it until the internet light turns red. Release and allow up to 10 minutes for the reset to complete.
- Actiontec T1200H/T2200H – Find the red reset hole on the back and push a pin or other sharp object into it for 30 seconds until the internet light turns red. Release and allow up to 10 minutes for the reset to complete.
- Actiontec V1000H/V2000H – Find the red reset hole on the back and push a pin or other sharp object into it for 30 seconds until the internet light turns red. Release and allow up to 10 minutes for the reset to complete.
- Zyxel VSG-1432 Modem – Find the red reset hole on the back and push a pin or other sharp object into it for 30 seconds until the internet light turns red. Release and allow up to 10 minutes for the reset to complete.
See here for a useful guide from Telus, where you can pick the specific router you have for reset instructions for each one if you need, but the general process is pretty similar and easy for most of their modem/routers.
Factory Resetting Velcom Routers
We couldn’t find a specific page Velcom’s site about factory resetting their routers, but the general process is likely to be the same as for other ISPs:
Look for a factory reset pin hole somewhere on the router, and push a pin or other sharp object into it for 20 seconds or until the lights on the router flash or go out. Then wait several minutes for the process to complete.
Alternatively, contact Velcom Support for further help in factory resetting their routers.
Factory Resetting VMedia Routers
Vmedia routers have a Reset button on the side panel that you need to push in for up to 30 seconds for a full factory reset. Alternatively, you can open any browser and log into the router by typing 192.168.31.1 and then “admin” for both the username and password, and then going to Management…..Settings……Restore Default Settings.
See here for a user guide for VMedia routers.
Factory Resetting Altima Routers
Altima ZTE H268A routers have a reset pin hole on the back between the WPS and WLAN buttons. Push a thin sharp object like a pin into this hold for at least 30 seconds and release, then wait several minutes for the reset to finish.
See here for a quick guide on this from Altima Telecom.
Factory Resetting Teksavvy Routers
For Teksavvy routers, push a pin or safety clip into the reset hole on the back for 10-15 seconds, then release. Wait several minutes and when the WLAN light stops blinking, the router is fully reset to default.
See here for a quick guide on quick and factory resetting Teksavvy routers.
