881 router factory reset

[kevin.hong1]

How do I factory reset a cisco 881 router?

[Leo Laohoo]

Look at the back of the router and you should be able to find a "Reset" button.  

Q. What is the purpose of the Reset button?

A. The Reset button is used to restore the router to the default factory settings if pressed within 5 seconds of router power up. Here is how it works:

● The router will not react to the Reset button if it is pressed 5 seconds or more after power up.

● When the Reset button is pressed within 5 seconds of bootup and there is no valid xxx.cfg file in the flash memory, the router boots up with the factory defaults stored in nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM).

● When the Reset button is pressed within 5 seconds of boot up and there is a valid xxx.cfg file in the flash memory, the router boots up with the xxx.cfg file and avoids the startup-config file in NVRAM. The xxx.cfg default configuration file in flash memory also replaces the startup-config file in NVRAM.

[kuhmadchen]

So I've tried this, and it doesn't seem to change anything.

Do I need to hold the button in? if so: for how long?

I've tried from a single press, up to pressing and holding for as long as 15 seconds.

[kuhmadchen · Accepted solution]

Yes, I know this is an old post, but using the info posted by Leo, and then got more details:

1. Turn off and disconnect power.
2. Press and hold the reset button.
3. Connect the power and turn on.
4. Continue holding the reset button until after it gets to [OK] and gave some Invalid Input errors