How do I restore a Cisco router to its original factory default settings?

Jul 27 , 2024 778

Cisco, as the world's leading brand, has made its routers the product of choice for many organizations. As a product that connects different networks and transmits data, a router can decide the transmission path of data packets according to predefined routing protocols and realize data exchange between networks. Routers can pass data packets from the source node to the destination node, while ensuring the security and integrity of the data.

The way to restore factory settings on a Cisco router:

Cisco routers are known for their high performance and reliability for network environments of all sizes, from home networks to enterprise-class networks. However, once a router encounters a failure, it will bring unnecessary impact and trouble to your home or business.

When a router malfunctions, we may first think of trying to reboot the router to fix the problem, but if rebooting doesn't fix it, we can try to restore the router to its original factory default settings. So, how to restore a Cisco router to its original factory default settings? Linknewnet engineers give us some basic setup steps, friends who need it are recommended to collect the spare!

There are two main ways to restore a Cisco router to its original factory default settings. These two methods are described below.

Method 1

This method uses the config-register 0x2102 command in global configuration mode.

The show version command is issued to check the configuration registers on the router.

The configuration register settings are displayed on the last line of the show version command output and must be set to 0x2102.

Router#show version

Cisco IOS Software, VG3X0 Software (VG3X0-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.4(3)M3, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Copyright (c) 1986-2015 by Cisco Systems, Inc.

Compiled Fri 05-Jun-15 17:29 by prod_rel_team

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 15.4(3r)M1a, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Router uptime is 1 day, 14 hours, 14 minutes

System returned to ROM by power-on

System image file is "flash0:vg3x0-universalk9-mz.SPA.154-3.M3.bin"

Last reload type: Normal Reload

Last reload reason: power-on

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United

States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and

use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply

third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.

Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for

compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you

agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable

to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to

export@cisco.com.

Cisco VG320 (revision 1.0) with 1003520K/45056K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FGL2023103U

2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces

1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Module

DRAM configuration is 32 bits wide with parity enabled.

255K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

255488K bytes of ATA System CompactFlash 0 (Read/Write)

License Info:

License UDI:

-------------------------------------------------

Device#   PID                   SN

-------------------------------------------------

*0        VG320                 FGL2023103U     

Technology Package License Information for Module:'vg3x0'

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technology    Technology-package                  Technology-package

              Current              Type           Next reboot  

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ipbase          ipbasek9             None                   ipbasek9

security        securityk9           RightToUse         securityk9

uc                 None                  None                   None

data              datak9               RightToUse         datak9

NtwkEss        None                 None                   None

CollabPro      None                 None                   None

Configuration register is 0x2102

If this is not the case, enter the config-register 0x2102 command once in global configuration mode.

Router#configure terminal

Router(config)#config-register 0x2102

Router(config)#end

Router#

If the show version command is issued again, the same line in the command output can append (0x2102 at next reload) to the current register setting.

2. use the write erase command to clear the current startup configuration on the router.

3. Use the reload command to reload the router. When prompted with the save prompt for configuration, DO NOT

Router#reload

System configuration has been modified. Save ?  [yes/no]:  n  

Proceed with reload? [confirm]

After the router reloads, the system displays the System Configuration dialog box.

                      --- System Configuration Dialog ---

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

The router is now reset to its original factory default settings.

Method 2

This method uses the config-register 0x2142 command in global configuration mode.

Enter the config-register 0x2142 command in global configuration mode.

Router(config)#config-register 0x2142

This causes the router to ignore the startup configuration on the next reload. If show version is run again, it will (0x2142 on next reload) append to the current configuration register setting.

Router#show version

Cisco IOS Software, VG3X0 Software (VG3X0-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.4(3)M3, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Copyright (c) 1986-2015 by Cisco Systems, Inc.

Compiled Fri 05-Jun-15 17:29 by prod_rel_team

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 15.4(3r)M1a, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Router uptime is 1 day, 14 hours, 19 minutes

System returned to ROM by power-on

System image file is "flash0:vg3x0-universalk9-mz.SPA.154-3.M3.bin"

Last reload type: Normal Reload

Last reload reason: power-on

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United

States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and

use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply

third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.

Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for

compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you

agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable

to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to

export@cisco.com.

Cisco VG320 (revision 1.0) with 1003520K/45056K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FGL2023103U

2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces

1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Module

DRAM configuration is 32 bits wide with parity enabled.

255K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

255488K bytes of ATA System CompactFlash 0 (Read/Write)

License Info:

License UDI:

-------------------------------------------------

Device#   PID                   SN

-------------------------------------------------

*0        VG320                 FGL2023103U     

Technology Package License Information for Module:'vg3x0'

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technology    Technology-package                  Technology-package

              Current              Type           Next reboot  

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ipbase        ipbasek9             None               ipbasek9

security      securityk9           RightToUse     securityk9

uc                None                 None               None

data             datak9               RightToUse     datak9

NtwkEss       None                 None               None

CollabPro     None                 None               None

Configuration register is 0x2102 (will be 0x2142 at next reload)

Use the reload command in enable mode to reload the router. Save at the system prompt No save configuration is required.

Router#reload

System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]:  n  

Proceed with reload? [confirm]

After the router reloads, the System Configuration dialog box appears.

For the question: Do you want to enter the initial configuration dialog, enter no?

setting Use the config-register 0x2102 command to change the configuration register back to 0x2102, entered once in global configuration mode.

Issue the write memory command in enable mode to overwrite the current startup configuration with the current running configuration.

In startup mode, use the reload command to reload the router.

After the router reloads, the system displays the System Configuration dialog box.

            --- System Configuration Dialog ---

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

The router is now reset to its original factory default settings.

The above are the steps to restore factory settings of Cisco router! You can choose the appropriate method to restore according to the actual situation. Here we need to remind you, when we are ready to restore factory settings, please be sure to do a good backup to avoid data loss. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.