To factory reset a NETGEAR home router, use its recessed Reset or Restore Factory Settings button while it is powered on. This erases your custom configuration and requires setup again. NETGEAR’s general procedure uses a seven-second hold with a paper clip, but follow your model’s instructions below before pressing the button.
The short version
- Standard reset: NETGEAR home routers covered by the general procedure use a seven-second hold with the power on.
- Model differences: The RS700 reset procedure specifies at least 10 seconds, the XR1000 procedure specifies at least five seconds, and Orbi uses a blinking amber LED.
- Settings are erased: A factory reset removes your custom configuration and requires setup afterward.
- Restart instead: Rebooting preserves your settings when you only need to restart the router.
| Device or option | Method | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| General home router | Hardware factory reset | Hold for seven seconds |
| RS700 or RS700S | Hardware factory reset | Hold for at least 10 seconds |
| RS700 or RS700S | Browser factory reset | Use Backup Settings |
| XR1000 | Browser factory reset | Start under Settings |
| XR1000 | Hardware factory reset | Hold for at least five seconds |
| Orbi router or satellite | Hardware factory reset | Wait for the appropriate LED to blink amber |
| Orbi 970 | Browser factory reset | Click ERASE |
| Cable modem or modem router | Hardware factory reset | Remove USB storage first |
| Listed M5 and M6 models | Concealed hardware button | Leave the battery installed |
| Listed M5 and M6 models | Touchscreen factory reset | Confirm the prompt after Reset Now |
| MR6110 or MR6500 | Browser factory reset | Click Factory Reset, then Yes |
| M7 MH7110 or MH7150 | NETGEAR app factory reset | Open Router settings |
| M7 MH7110 or MH7150 | Browser factory reset | Click Reset, then Yes |
| M7 MH7110 or MH7150 | Side-button factory reset | Hold for five seconds if enabled |
| M7 MH7110 or MH7150 | Disable hardware reset | Administrative control, not a reset |
| BR200, BR500, PR60X or PR460X | Hardware factory reset | Hold for seven seconds |
| Compatible Insight-managed device | Cloud Portal factory reset | Erases configuration and unclaims the device |
| NETGEAR home router | Power-button or cable reboot | Preserves settings |
| Compatible Nighthawk router | Nighthawk app reboot | Requires working remote connectivity |
| Supported home or Pro Gaming router | Browser reboot | Menu differs on Pro Gaming routers |
| Orbi RBE971 or RBE970 | Short-button reboot | Release before five seconds |
| Orbi network | Power cycle | Restart the modem first |
| Supported Orbi or Nighthawk router | Administrator password recovery | Uses serial number and security questions |
Restart without erasing your settings
If you only want to restart your NETGEAR home router, press Power On/Off to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then press it again. If your router has no power button, unplug its power, wait 10 seconds, then reconnect it. Both procedures preserve your configuration.
To reboot a supported home router through its browser interface, connect to its network and open www.routerlogin.net. Sign in with the router administrator credentials, click Advanced > Reboot, and wait for the restart. On Nighthawk Pro Gaming routers, open the three-dot menu at the top right and select Reboot instead.
For a Nighthawk-app-compatible router with remote connectivity already configured and working, open Nighthawk and tap Connect remotely. Tap the home icon at the top left, tap REBOOT, then select Reboot. Allow up to two minutes for the restart.
To power cycle an Orbi network, turn off and unplug the modem, Orbi router, and satellites. Reconnect and turn on the modem first, then wait for it to restart before reconnecting the Orbi router and satellites. Allow approximately two minutes; this preserves your configuration.
Recover administrator access without a factory reset
If a forgotten administrator password is your only problem, supported Orbi and Nighthawk routers let you reset your NETGEAR administrator password without erasing the entire configuration, provided password recovery was enabled beforehand. If it was not, you must factory reset the router and set it up again. From a computer connected to the router’s WiFi, open www.routerlogin.net for Nighthawk or orbilogin.com for Orbi. Enter incorrect credentials three times to start password recovery; on older Orbi systems, and on the RS700 and XR1000, click Cancel at the login prompt instead.
Enter the router’s serial number and click CONTINUE. Answer the two security questions and click CONTINUE again. Next, either choose a new administrator password and security questions and click NEXT, or, on the XR1000, note the recovered password the router displays and log in with it. If you cannot complete recovery and need to factory reset instead, follow the hardware procedure for your model below.
Reset a home router with its hardware button
A factory reset erases your custom configuration. For a home router covered by NETGEAR’s general procedure, leave it powered on and locate Restore Factory Settings or Reset. Hold the recessed button with a paper clip for seven seconds, then release it. Wait for the reset to finish before setting up the router again.
Resetting a Nighthawk RS700 or RS700S also erases its custom configuration. With the router powered on, use a straightened paper clip to hold Reset for at least 10 seconds, then release it. Allow approximately two minutes for the router to restart without interrupting power.
For a Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000, a factory reset erases your custom configuration. Leave it powered on, hold the rear Reset button with a straightened paper clip for at least five seconds, then release it. The Power LED blinks; allow approximately two minutes for the restart.
Use those hold times only for the models named. If a reset does not work, check your exact model’s instructions before trying a different hold time. If you can still sign in, the matching browser procedure below gives you another reset route.
Reset an Orbi or cable modem router
A factory reset erases the Orbi device’s custom configuration. Power on the router or satellite, then hold Reset with a paper clip until its Power LED blinks amber. Release the button when it blinks; on a wall-plug satellite, watch for the ring LED to blink amber instead.
Repeat the procedure on other Orbi units that require resetting. Afterward, set up the system again through the Orbi app or a browser. On an Orbi 970, distinguish blinking amber from solid amber, which indicates its short-press reboot.
Factory resetting a NETGEAR cable modem or cable modem router erases its custom configuration. Remove any connected USB drive, keep the device powered on, and hold the rear Reset button with a paper clip for about seven seconds. Release the button and wait for the device to restart. Reconnect the USB drive afterward if you removed one, then set up the device again.
Reset your home router through a browser
The browser paths differ by model, so use the matching instructions below. Connect to the router’s network before opening its local address. If you cannot sign in or your menus differ, use the applicable hardware procedure or your model’s instructions.
On a Nighthawk RS700 or RS700S, open http://www.routerlogin.net and sign in with admin and your router administrator password. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings. The next action erases your custom configuration. Click Erase, then allow the reset and restart to finish without interrupting power or the browser session.
For a Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000, open http://www.routerlogin.net while connected to its network and sign in with admin and the administrator password. Select Settings > Administration > Backup Settings. The next action erases your custom configuration. Click Erase, then wait for the restart.
On an Orbi 970 system using the RBE971 router, connect to the Orbi network, open orbilogin.com, and sign in with admin and the administrator password. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings. The next action erases the router’s custom configuration. Click ERASE and allow the reset to finish.
Reset an M5 or M6 mobile hotspot
The following hardware and touchscreen procedures cover MR5100, MR5200, MR6110, MR6150, MR6400, MR6450, MR6500, and MR6550 models and their listed regional variants. A factory reset erases your custom configuration.
To use the concealed button, remove the battery cover while leaving the battery installed. Find the hole labeled RESET, then gently hold the internal button with a paper clip for up to 10 seconds. Release it and wait for the reset to finish.
Using the touchscreen reset also erases your custom configuration. On the M6 MR6110 and M6 Pro MR6500, first briefly press Power to wake the hotspot and swipe up to unlock it. Tap Settings > More > Factory Reset, then tap Reset Now and confirm the reset when prompted.
For a browser reset on MR6110 or MR6500, sign in to the hotspot’s local web interface from a connected device. From the dashboard, select Settings > Administration > Factory Reset. The next action erases your custom configuration. Click Factory Reset, then click Yes.
Reset an M7 through the app or hardware
For the Nighthawk 5G M7 MH7110 or MH7150, open the NETGEAR app dashboard and tap the Settings icon at the bottom right. Select Router > Factory reset. The next action erases your custom configuration. Tap Reset, then tap Yes.
To use a browser on those M7 models, connect to the hotspot, open its local web interface, and sign in. Select Settings > Administration > Factory Reset. The next action erases your custom configuration. Click Reset, then click Yes.
The M7 side-button reset also erases your custom configuration. If its hardware reset button is enabled, use the supplied SIM-release tool to hold the recessed side factory-reset button for five seconds, then release it. If that button has been disabled, use the app or authenticated browser procedure instead.
Reset a business router or Insight device
For BR200, BR500, PR60X, and PR460X routers, a factory reset erases your configuration; you can subsequently restore a previously saved configuration through the local web interface. With the router powered on, hold the rear Reset button for seven seconds, then release it. Use the local web interface afterward if you have a saved configuration to restore.
For compatible devices managed through Insight Cloud Portal 10.0, open the device settings in the portal. NETGEAR says the cloud factory reset erases the configuration and unclaims the device. Select Factory Reset to perform that operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a quick press of Reset restart an Orbi 970?
Yes, on the Orbi RBE971 router and RBE970 satellite, press Reset for less than five seconds, then release it. The Power LED becomes solid amber and the device restarts without erasing its configuration. Holding until the LED blinks amber triggers a factory reset that erases custom configuration, so keep the press short.
Why might the M7 hardware reset button be disabled?
The M7 MH7110 and MH7150 let an administrator disable the hardware reset button. In the authenticated web interface, select Settings > Administration > Factory Reset, uncheck Enable, then click Apply. This changes whether the button works; it does not reset the hotspot.
Does resetting an M7 remove installed eSIMs?
No, a factory reset on the M7 MH7110 or MH7150 retains installed eSIMs. It still erases your custom configuration.
Do you need to download software before resetting a NETGEAR router?
No software download or firmware installation is required for the hardware-button or browser reset methods. The M7 app reset uses the NETGEAR app, but the M7 also has browser and side-button procedures.