Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings

Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Default Settings

To perform this reset you must have access to privileged EXEC access on the router. If you don't you must perform the password recovery procedure at Password Recovery for Cisco Router 1841 first.

There are a couple of methods for resetting a Cisco 1841 router to it's factory default settings.

1. Use the show version command to see if the configuration register is set to 0x2102. If it isn't then enter the following:

router#configure terminal
router(config)#config-register 0x2102
router(config)#end
router#

When you enter show version again the output will show (will be 0x2102 at next reload) after the current register setting.

2. Enter write erase to erase the start-up configuration.

3. Enter reload to reload the router. Do not save the configuration when prompted.

router#reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n
Proceed with reload? [confirm]

When the router is done reloading the System Configuration Dialog is displayed.

 --- System Configuration Dialog ---
Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]:

The router has the factory default settings now.