PEPLINK HANDBOOK

How to Factory Reset a Peplink Router

A factory reset clears a Peplink or Pepwave device back to its default configuration. Here is how to do it safely, whichever way you can access the device.

QUICK ANSWER

Insert a paperclip or SIM eject tool into the recessed reset hole and hold it for about 15 seconds, until the status LED turns red and then switches off. Release the button and wait roughly two minutes while the device reboots and reloads its factory default configuration. A shorter hold, around 5 to 7 seconds, only resets the admin password and keeps your existing configuration, so do not let go early if a full reset is what you need.

Before you start

Read this first

A factory reset erases WAN settings, SpeedFusion profiles, VPN tunnels, firewall rules, Wi-Fi networks and the admin password, returning the device to its out of box state.

If you can still log in, export a configuration backup first from System > Configuration > Backup Settings. That way you can restore it later if the reset was not what the device actually needed.

If you are resetting a device remotely, through InControl2 or over a VPN, make sure it can reach the internet on its own once it drops back to factory defaults, for example over DHCP or an unlocked SIM. A device that depends on a custom static IP, VLAN tag or private APN to get online will not reconnect automatically, and you will need physical access to recover it.

Bring-your-own eSIM profiles are one of the few things that survive a factory reset.

Method 1: The physical reset button

This works even if you cannot log in to the device, and it is the method to use when the web admin is unreachable.

Steps

  1. Locate the recessed reset hole on the device. On most Balance and MAX units it sits on the rear or underside panel, usually marked "Reset".
  2. With the device powered on, insert a straightened paperclip or the pin end of a SIM eject tool and press the button in.
  3. Hold for about 15 seconds. The status LED turns red, then switches off completely.
  4. Release the button. Wait about two minutes for the device to finish rebooting; the status LED returns to solid green when it is ready.
  5. Reconnect to the device on its default IP address, 192.168.1.1 for Balance routers or 192.168.50.1 for MAX and Pepwave devices, and log in with the default admin credentials, admin and admin, unless the printed label on the device states otherwise.
Timing matters

Holding the button for only 5 to 7 seconds resets just the admin password and keeps your configuration intact. Do not hold for longer than that unless a full factory reset is actually what you want, and do not hold for less than 15 seconds if it is, because anywhere in between can give inconsistent results.

Method 2: From the web admin interface

If you can already log in and simply want to start again with a clean configuration, this is the more controlled route.

Steps

  1. Log in to the device's web admin.
  2. Go to System > Configuration > Restore Factory Settings.
  3. Select "Restore and Reboot". The device shows "Factory Settings restored. Rebooting..." and restarts with default settings.

Method 3: Remotely through InControl2

Useful for fleets, but only when you are confident the device can get itself back online unassisted.

Steps

  1. Sign in to InControl2 and open the device you want to reset.
  2. Go to Device Tools, choose "Reset to Factory Defaults" from the Command menu, and click Apply.
  3. Confirm the action. The device reboots and drops back to its factory configuration over the same connection it used to reach InControl2.
Before you click apply

Only use the InControl2 method if the device's uplink, cellular or wired, can connect to the internet without any manual configuration such as a custom APN or static IP. If it cannot, you will need someone at the site to recover it physically.

After the reset

  • Default login for most models is admin / admin, which you should change from the Dashboard or System > Admin Security as soon as you log back in.
  • Default IP address: 192.168.1.1 for Balance routers, 192.168.50.1 for MAX and Pepwave devices, both reachable over a LAN Ethernet port.
  • If you took a backup beforehand, restore it from System > Configuration > Restore Settings once you have basic connectivity back.

Common questions

Will a factory reset remove the PrimeCare or SpeedFusion licence from my device?
No. Licences and PrimeCare entitlements are tied to the device's serial number in Peplink's licensing system rather than stored locally, so they survive a factory reset. You may need to log back in with your registered account to re-sync them.
My device is not responding, can I still factory reset it?
If the device powers on and shows any status LED activity, the physical reset button usually still works even if the web admin is unreachable. If there is no power or LED activity at all, that points to a hardware fault rather than a configuration issue, and a factory reset will not resolve it. Get in touch if you want us to take a look.
Does a factory reset also change the firmware version?
No. A factory reset only clears the configuration. It does not change the firmware version installed on the device.
PEPLINK HANDBOOK

Stuck on a step, or resetting a device as part of a bigger problem? Our engineering team can take it from here, or help you spec your next Peplink deployment.

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