topic Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults! in Wireless

Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:10:46 GMT

I am trying to reset a Cisco Air Cap 1552 E access point back to it's factory defaults. I have tried every mode button press and release from what I read online, but nothing is working. I do not have an option to reset it via a controller. Can someone suggest what is the right way to do this. Thanks in advance.

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

MHM Cisco World — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:17:13 GMT

config ap clear-config <AP-Name>

Check this

MHM

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:27:43 GMT

I cannot log onto the access point.

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

MHM Cisco World — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:29:08 GMT

This command from wlc

MHM

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:32:09 GMT

This Access point has never been connected to our WLC!

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Mark Elsen — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:43:15 GMT

@Cap-24 Try to hold the mode button for more then 30 seconds ,

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:28:47 GMT

I have tried all sorts of length of seconds to get this to reset, but nothing seems to be working. Should I see a message come up in putty session that says it is being reset. Other options here? Is it possible to connect it to the WLC without being able to log into it? At that stage I can probably change the log in? Thoughts.

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Mark Elsen — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:58:08 GMT

- @Cap-24 Do you see anything at all on the putty connection , for instance after a power cycle of the AP ?

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:09:47 GMT

Putty does show a full boot up of the Access point. Goes through two bootloaders, flash phase and Capwap discovery. I don't see the reset button option working for any second amount. Any other ideas?

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Mark Elsen — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:54:25 GMT

- @Cap-24 No direct other ideas , can you show this boot process ?

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Stefan Mihajlov — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:04:00 GMT

@Cap-24

On the 1552E the reset only works if you do it exactly during the power-on self-test. Unplug the DC/power cable, hold the MODE button down, plug the power back in, keep holding for about 45 seconds until the LED turns red, then release. The AP should wipe its config and reboot to factory defaults.

If you just press the button after boot, nothing happens – it has to be done at power-up.

–––
Best regards,
Stefan Mihajlov

Mark this post as Helpful if it helped you, and Accept as Solution if it resolved your question.

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:32:50 GMT

@Stefan Mihajlov When I pressed the mode button down for 45 sec, just as I was releasing all lights were red. Unfortunately this did not reset the device.

@Mark Elsen - Boot up process below.

IOS Bootloader - Starting system.
Xmodem file system is available.
flashfs[0]: 62 files, 4 directories
flashfs[0]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[0]: Total bytes: 31868928
flashfs[0]: Bytes used: 15250432
flashfs[0]: Bytes available: 16618496
flashfs[0]: flashfs fsck took 19 seconds.
Reading cookie from flash parameter block...done.
Base Ethernet MAC address: 2c:3f:38:be:22:c0
Loading "flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6"...############

File "flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6" uncompressed and installed, entry point: 0x3000
executing...

IOS Secondary Bootloader - Starting system.
Xmodem file system is available.
flashfs[0]: 62 files, 4 directories
flashfs[0]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[0]: Total bytes: 31868928
flashfs[0]: Bytes used: 15250432
flashfs[0]: Bytes available: 16618496
flashfs[0]: flashfs fsck took 6 seconds.
Reading cookie from flash parameter block...done.
Base Ethernet MAC address: 2c:3f:38:be:22:c0
Boot CMD: 'boot flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/c1520-k9w8-xx.153-3.JC6;flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/c1520-k9w8-xx.153-3.JC6'
Loading "flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/c1520-k9w8-xx.153-3.JC6"...########################
File "flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/c1520-k9w8-xx.153-3.JC6" uncompressed and installed, entry point: 0x3000
executing...

cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706

Cisco IOS Software, C1550 Software (C1520-K9W8-M), Version 15.3(3)JC6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2017 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 14-Mar-17 19:09 by prod_rel_team

Initializing flashfs...

flashfs[2]: 62 files, 4 directories
flashfs[2]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[2]: Total bytes: 31610880
flashfs[2]: Bytes used: 15250432
flashfs[2]: Bytes available: 16360448
flashfs[2]: flashfs fsck took 7 seconds.
flashfs[2]: Initialization complete.
flashfs[4]: 0 files, 1 directories
flashfs[4]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories
flashfs[4]: Total bytes: 5806080
flashfs[4]: Bytes used: 1024
flashfs[4]: Bytes available: 5805056
flashfs[4]: flashfs fsck took 1 seconds.
flashfs[4]: Initialization complete....done Initializing flashfs.

Radio0 present 8364B 8000 A8020000 0 A8030000 30
Rate table has 336 entries (20 legacy/64 11n/252 11ac)

POWER TABLE FILENAME = flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/J2.bin

Radio1 present 8364B 8000 B8020000 0 B8030000 13
POWER TABLE FILENAME = flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/J5.bin

Radio2 not present 0 0 0 0 0 11

cisco AIR-CAP1552E-A-K9 (PowerPC 8349) processor (revision A0) with 52214K/13312K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FTX1546P022
PowerPC 8349 CPU at 533Mhz, revision number 0x0031
Last reset from unknown reload cause - ptr to non-ascii bytes 0x17
LWAPP image version 8.2.151.0
4 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2 802.11 Radios

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address: 2C:3F:38:BE:22:C0
Part Number : 73-13538-01
PCB Serial Number : FOC154223BH
Top Assembly Part Number : 800-34851-02
Top Assembly Serial Number : FTX1546P022
Top Revision Number : A0
Product/Model Number : AIR-CAP1552E-A-K9
% Please define a domain-name first.
ipv6 enable
^

Press RETURN to get started!

*Mar 1 00:00:09.547: %SOAP_FIPS-2-SELF_TEST_IOS_SUCCESS: IOS crypto FIPS self test passed (15)
*Mar 1 00:00:10.303: %SOAP_FIPS-2-SELF_TEST_HW_SUCCESS: HW crypto FIPS self test passed (1-6)
*Mar 1 00:00:10.303: Registering HW DTLS

*Mar 1 00:00:10.463: m8349_ether_enable: MACCFG1 sync timeout
*Mar 1 00:00:13.155: %SOAP_FIPS-2-SELF_TEST_RAD_SUCCESS: RADIO crypto FIPS self test passed on interface Dot11Radio 0 (4)
*Mar 1 00:00:13.163: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface Ethernet4, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:13.167: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface GigabitEthernet0, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:13.167: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface GigabitEthernet1, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:13.167: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface GigabitEthernet2, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:13.167: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface GigabitEthernet3, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:13.311: loading Power Tables from flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/J2.bin. Class = A
*Mar 1 00:00:13.311: record size of 2ss: 404 read_ptr: 1B94E38

*Mar 1 00:00:16.051: %SOAP_FIPS-2-SELF_TEST_RAD_SUCCESS: RADIO crypto FIPS self test passed on interface Dot11Radio 1 (4)
*Mar 1 00:00:16.131: loading Power Tables from flash:/c1520-k9w8-mx.153-3.JC6/J5.bin. Class = A
*Mar 1 00:00:16.131: record size of 2ss: 404 read_ptr: 1B94E38

*Mar 1 00:00:17.563: %SYS-4-VRF_TABLE_INIT_WARNING: cannot determine platform max VRFs
*Mar 1 00:00:18.471: %SYS-5-RESTART: System restarted --
Cisco IOS Software, C1550 Software (C1520-K9W8-M), Version 15.3(3)JC6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2017 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 14-Mar-17 19:09 by prod_rel_team
*Mar 1 00:00:18.471: %SNMP-5-COLDSTART: SNMP agent on host ATT-1-AP-1 is undergoing a cold start
*Mar 1 00:00:18.799: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface Dot11Radio0, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:19.003: %SSH-5-ENABLED: SSH 2.0 has been enabled
*Mar 1 00:00:19.003: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface Dot11Radio1, changed state to uplwapp_crypto_init: MIC Present and Parsed Successfully

*Mar 1 00:00:19.743: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface BVI1, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:20.315: %DOT11-3-ADD_PRIM_IDB_TOLIST: can not add idb GigabitEthernet0 to the private list
*Mar 1 00:00:20.383: %CDP_PD-4-POWER_OK: Full power - INJECTOR_DETECTED inline power source
*Mar 1 00:00:21.315: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Ethernet4, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:30.747: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface BVI1, changed state to down
*Mar 1 00:00:31.747: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface BVI1, changed state to down
*Mar 1 00:00:37.295: Currently running a Release Image
validate_sha2_block: Failed to get certificate chain
*Mar 1 00:00:37.307: Using SHA-1 signed certificate for image signing validation.
ip routing
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

ip cef
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

no ip routing
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 bvi1
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

*Mar 1 00:00:40.575: AP image integrity check PASSED

*Mar 1 00:00:40.587: Non-recovery image. PNP Not required.

*Mar 1 00:00:40.675: validate_sha2_block:No SHA2 Block present on this AP.

*Mar 1 00:00:40.691: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface Dot11Radio0, changed state to reset
*Mar 1 00:00:41.779: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface Dot11Radio0, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:41.787: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface Dot11Radio1, changed state to reset
*Mar 1 00:00:42.687: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface BVI1, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:42.779: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Dot11Radio0, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:42.875: %LINK-6-UPDOWN: Interface Dot11Radio1, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:43.687: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface BVI1, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:43.875: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Dot11Radio1, changed state to up
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: Resource monitoring: Process memory

*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: %PLTMONITOR-6-MUSAGE: Memory Processor Pool Total: 25341244 Used: 23275408 Free: 2065836
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: %PLTMONITOR-6-MUSAGE: Memory I/O Pool Total: 13631488 Used: 10594664 Free: 3036824
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: PID TTY Allocated Freed Holding Getbufs Retbufs Process
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: %PLTMONITOR-6-PROC: 0 0 6378320 6512 6376004 10301120 0 *Dead*
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: %PLTMONITOR-6-PROC: 1 0 601560 0 608720 0 0 Chunk Manager
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: %PLTMONITOR-6-PROC: 66 0 517528 240 530448 0 0 LWAPP CLIENT
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307:

*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: Resource monitoring: Processor memory
*Mar 1 00:00:45.307: Alloc PC Size Blocks Bytes What

*Mar 1 00:00:45.527: %PLTMONITOR-6-PC: 0x21A6F0 0000001200 0000003636 0004363200 *Free Packet Header* Processor
*Mar 1 00:00:45.643: %PLTMONITOR-6-PC: 0x333C84 0000006000 0000000092 0000552000 Process Stack Processor
*Mar 1 00:00:45.695: %PLTMONITOR-6-PC: 0x474AFC 0000020000 0000000030 0000600000 Flashfs Sector Processor
*Mar 1 00:00:45.707: %PLTMONITOR-6-PC: 0x48A85C 0006291456 0000000001 0006291456 soap_flash init Processor
*Mar 1 00:00:46.135: Resource monitoring: I/O memory
*Mar 1 00:00:46.135: Alloc PC Size Blocks Bytes What

*Mar 1 00:00:46.151:

*Mar 1 00:00:50.771: Logging LWAPP message to 255.255.255.255.

*Mar 1 00:00:50.775: %SYS

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

coolbreeze — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:44:02 GMT

Does it reboot-loop after the boot process (such as after capwap discovery process and failing to find a controller if it has never joined a controller) ? Or does the boot up process end to a prompt? This boot process looks familiar, and I had similar reset issues on 1572s and 1562s, but I haven't had luck trying to find my related notes on it...curious, do you have a controller environment, or wanting to set up as a standalone/autonomous, and therefore needing to factory reset, etc?

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:37:54 GMT

@coolbreeze I don't think it reboots after it tries to capwap discovery. It does not end at prompt, unless I press return and get to log in option. Can I just join this Lightweight Access Point to our Controller. I have put the MAC address, host name, IP in our WLC. Let me know.

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

coolbreeze — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:26:26 GMT

If it is not in a boot-loop, and you are able to press Return and get a login prompt on the console, and you are able to login to the AP (assuming console cable connection), then try configuring the AP with IP address information, and primary controller information. The commands you use will differ based on if you are using AirOS vs Catalyst environment. AirOS would be something like:

AP# capwap ap ip address [ip_address] [netmask]
AP# capwap ap ip default-gateway [gateway_address]
AP# capwap ap primary [controller-hostname] [controller-ip]
AP# show capwap ip config
AP# reload

This thread has good information in general, and commands for the catalyst controller/9800 version / IOS XE AP commands: https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/9800-wlc-cli-command-for-ap-primary-controller-assignment/td-p/4308489

If this is a default out of box AP, try the default creds to login - cisco/Cisco, enable, Cisco
If this is not a default out of box AP, then back to figuring out how to factory reset it.
Another option is to maybe try DHCP options (and configure DHCP such as on the local switch if not currently using) to help point it to the controller, if you don't have the ability to login to the AP via console and can't get factory reset figured out. https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless-mobility-knowledge-base/configuring-dhcp-option-43-and-option-60/ta-p/3143572
Depending on your environment, checking what the cisco-capwap-controller.[domain.com] resolves to, and set a static DNS entry with pointer to the controller as well - the DHCP options and link above are another approach to addressing the same thing, fyi.

If you have console access to the AP, you can try "capwap ap erase all" on the AP to factory reset the AP from within the CLI without using the mode button.

I still haven't found my notes for factory default issues on these....I wanna say it was unplug the AP power, hold down the mode button, plug in the AP power, keep holding the mode button longer than 20 but not longer than 45 second...or was it longer than 60 seconds? Or try following the on-screen prompts in the console while holding down the mode button but in my experience is hit or miss with the 1500s series for some reason (hence I usually have my notes).

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

MHM Cisco World — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:36:31 GMT

Move the AP to same subnet of WMI of wlc 9800 and check boot again

Share it here please

MHM

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

Cap-24 — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:52:10 GMT

@coolbreeze Thanks for your efforts in trying to assist with this Access point issue. I can't log into the access point. We typically would set a static IP, DG, and put in capwap primary controller IP, then plug into same WLC switch subnet and device would join the WLC.

When it comes to the reset of the AP via the Reset button? Should I see something in putty that tells me to release the button as it is resetting? It does not seem to be working with any amount of seconds. Any other ideas?

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

MHM Cisco World — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:58:43 GMT

So now it join wlc

Try reset it from wlc

Or even why you need reset if it join?

MHM

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

coolbreeze — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:22:59 GMT

Sorry that was actually me that marked your post helpful since that was a good suggestion that would work - although it looks like it reported it as an accepted solution which I didn't realize it would do... Looks like the OP replied to my comment including plugging into the same switch as the WLC is a method they typically use I think, but seem to require setting static IPs on the AP, so I don't think it has joined the WLC, and is possible their previously shared boot logs are from while plugged in on the same switch as the WLC (same subnet is an assumption though)

Re: Resetting a Cisco Air Cap 1552E access point to factory defaults!

MHM Cisco World — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:25:03 GMT

Sorry it me by accident select as solution' but I remove it.