Reset Router to Factory Defaults

Introduction

This document describes how to restore a Cisco router to its original factory default settings.

Prerequisites

Requirements

In order to perform the procedures described in this document, you must have enable (also known as privileged EXEC ) access on the router.

Router#  <<< Privileged EXEC mode

Components Used

This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Conventions

For more information on document conventions, refer to the Cisco Technical Tips Conventions.

Instructions to Reset a Cisco Router Back to Factory Defaults

There are two main methods to return a Cisco router to its original factory defaults. These two methods are described next.

Note: To view any information on the commands in this article refer to the Cisco IOS® Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference.

Method 1

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

1. Issue the show version  command to check the configuration register on the router.

The configuration register setting is displayed in 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 have (0x2102 at next reload) appended to the current register setting.

2. Erase the current start-up configuration on the router with the write erase command.

3. Reload the router with the reload command. When prompted to save the configuration, DO NOT save .

Router#reload
System configuration has been modified. Save ?  [yes/no]:  n  
Proceed with reload? [confirm]

Once the router reloads, the System Configuration Dialog appears.

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

The router is now reset to the original factory defaults.

Method 2

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

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

   Router(config)#config-register 0x2142
   

   This causes the router to ignore the start-up configuration on the next reload. If you run a show version again, it has (0x2142 at next reload) appended 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)

2. Reload the router with the reload command in the enable mode. It is not necessary to save  when prompted to save  the system configuration.

Router#reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]:  n  
Proceed with reload? [confirm]

After the router has reloaded, the System Configuration Dialog appears.

1. Enter no  to the question: Would you like to enter initial configuration dialog?

2. Change the configuration register setting back to 0x2102 with the config-register 0x2102 command, entered once in global configuration mode.

3. Issue the write memory command in enable mode to overwrite the current start-up configuration with the configuration that currently runs.

4. Reload the router with the reload command in enable mode.

5. Once the router reloads, the System configuration Dialog appears.

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

   The router is now reset to the original factory defaults.

Note: The next configurations are stored in ROMMON and the write erase and/orconfig-register 0x2142 commands cannot reset them to the factory default settings.

• warm-reboot

• memory-size iomem <not default>

Verification

This section provides information you can use to verify that your router has been returned to the factory defaults. 

Note: Internal and bug information is only accessible to registered Cisco clients.

• show running-config — Use this command to verify that the previous configuration that the router ran has been erased. The output must result in a skeleton configuration. For example, there must be no IP addresses or descriptions configured under any interface on the router, no hostname or settings particular to your environment.

• show version — Use this command to verify that the configuration register is set to the default value of 0x2102.

Related Information

• Cisco Technical Support & Downloads