topic Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC in Wireless

reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

adamscottmaster2013 — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 01:31:35 GMT

Hi - I have very little experience with Cisco Wireless Controller (WLC) and Cisco Access Point (AP). I have to decom a few Cisco APs that are currently joined the Airwave Wireless LAN Controller 5520 (version 8.10.171.0). From what I read in the documentation, the process is very simple: Reset the CAPWAP Configuration on IOS and ClickOS APs - Cisco

Reset AP through the AireOS or Catalyst WLC

In addition to the previous methods, you can also reset the configuration of the LAP from the WLC. When the LAP is registered to the controller, you can use these commands from the controller in order to reset the configuration on the LAP:

Use the clear ap config adamscottap1 command in order to clear all of the AP configurations to default, which includes the AP static IP configuration (adamscottap1 is the name of the AP listed in the WLC)

This will set the AP configuration back factory default, right?

Can someone confirm that it is that easy?

TIA

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

Leo Laohoo — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 02:23:22 GMT

If the AP is runs on classic IOS, I would delete all the files in the flash except the subdirectory (which contains the IOS).

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

Saikat Nandy — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:25:40 GMT

If you have IOS APs - 2700/3700 etc and have AP access, you can run - clear lwapp ap all-config (but you need to run 'debug capwap console cli' at the very first)
If you have COS APs - 2800/3800/4800/latest 9100 and have AP access, you can run - capwap ap erase all
If you would like to reset the APs from WLC - be it any model, you can run - clear ap config <ap name>

My personal preference is running the command in the AP itself. 🙂

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

adamscottmaster2013 — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 09:12:42 GMT

Thank you @Saikat Nandy. I do NOT have console access to the AP. I guess I have to run - clear ap config <ap name> - CLI from the WLC, right?

TIA

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

adamscottmaster2013 — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 09:13:34 GMT

@Leo Laohoo: I have neither console nor ssh access to the APs.

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

Leo Laohoo — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:23:23 GMT

@adamscottmaster2013 wrote:
I have neither console nor ssh access to the APs.

I find this hard to believe.

Please explain how console or SSH/telnet access to the AP is not possible?

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

adamscottmaster2013 — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:05:20 GMT

@Leo Laohoo The APs are at remote locations and they were setup without ssh/telnet access.

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

Rich R — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:52:49 GMT

Correct @adamscottmaster2013

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

Leo Laohoo — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 21:44:47 GMT

@adamscottmaster2013 wrote:
The APs are at remote locations and they were setup without ssh/telnet access.

If the APs are connected to a controller, SSH/telnet access can be enabled regardless how "remote" the APs is/are located.

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

adamscottmaster2013 — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 19:01:23 GMT

@Leo Laohoo: Ever heard of Firewalls, dummy?

Re: reset Cisco Access Point back to factory default from Cisco WLC

Leo Laohoo — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:46:00 GMT

@adamscottmaster2013 wrote:
Ever heard of Firewalls, dummy?

Yes, we have several in our network and we have enabled SSH/telnet access from our network to the APs.