To factory reset a Vodafone router, keep the router powered on, insert a pin or paper clip into the reset hole until you hear a click, hold it for 10 seconds, then wait a further 5 seconds for the process to complete. A short press of around 5 seconds will only restart the router, not wipe its settings. All custom configuration, including saved Wi-Fi passwords and any personalised credentials, is deleted by a full factory reset.
These two actions are easy to confuse, and the distinction matters. A restart (or reboot) simply cycles the power and clears temporary faults. Your settings stay intact. A factory reset wipes everything and returns the router to the state it was in when it left the factory.
As Vodafone's Community Blog puts it: "Pressing the reset button for only 5 seconds will simply restart your router without resetting it to factory settings." If you hold the button for the full 10 seconds, you get the factory reset. Hold it for less, and you have only rebooted the device.
Vodafone UK Support is clear that the router must be turned on before you begin. Do not unplug it first.
These steps apply to common Vodafone models including the Vodafone Station, the Wi-Fi Hub THG3000, and the Mobile Wi-Fi R219z. The reset hole is usually on the back or underside of the device.
Vodafone Device Guides note plainly: "All settings in your router are deleted during this process." That includes any custom DNS, port forwarding rules, and your personalised Wi-Fi password.
If you can still access the router's admin panel, the Vodafone Station offers a second route: a software reset through the browser interface. Log in using the address printed on your router (typically 192.168.1.1 or a Vodafone-specific URL), find the settings or maintenance section, and select the factory reset option. The outcome is identical to the physical button method.
Your router reverts to its default Wi-Fi name and password, shown on the label underneath the device. Every device that was previously connected will need to rejoin the network using those default credentials. If Vodafone requires broadband login details to be entered manually on your connection type, you will need those to hand before your internet service comes back up. Check your original Vodafone welcome letter or the My Vodafone app if you are unsure what those details are.
A restart sorts most temporary glitches: slow speeds, dropped connections, a router that has become unresponsive overnight. Reserve the factory reset for situations where you have forgotten the admin password, you are passing the router to someone else, or a persistent fault has not cleared after multiple restarts and a call to Vodafone support. The reset is a last resort, not a first response.
## Quotations > Pressing the reset button for only 5 seconds will simply restart your router without resetting it to factory settings. > — Vodafone Community Blog (Vodafone Germany) (https://forum.vodafone.de/t5/Community-Blog-english-version/Restart-Reboot-and-Reset-Solutions-for-Network-Problems/ba-p/3184752) > Please note that all settings in your router are deleted during this process. > — Vodafone Device Guides (Vodafone UK) (https://deviceguides.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone/mobile-wi-fi-r219z-windows-11/installation/restore-factory-default-settings/) ## Frequently asked questions ### how long do I hold the reset button on Vodafone router Hold the reset pin for 10 seconds to factory reset your Vodafone router, then wait a further 5 seconds for the process to complete. If you only press it for 5 seconds, the router will restart but your settings will remain unchanged. Make sure your router is powered on before you start. ### what's the difference between restart and factory reset Vodafone A restart (5 seconds) simply reboots your router and clears temporary faults while keeping all your settings intact. A factory reset (10 seconds) deletes all custom configuration including saved Wi-Fi passwords and returns the router to its original state. You'll need to reconfigure everything after a factory reset. ### will factory reset delete my Vodafone router settings Yes, a factory reset completely deletes all settings stored in your router, including Wi-Fi passwords and personalised credentials. After the reset, your router will return to its default state and you'll need to reconfigure it using the default Wi-Fi name and password printed on the label underneath the device. ### can I reset Vodafone router with router turned off No, your Vodafone router must be kept powered on and connected to the mains before you begin the reset process. Insert a pin or paper clip into the reset hole while the router is running, then hold for 10 seconds to complete the factory reset. ### what tool do I need to reset Vodafone router You'll need a thin pin or paper clip to press the reset button inside the reset hole on your Vodafone router. A SIM-eject tool works well for this purpose. Insert it until you hear a click, then hold for 10 seconds to factory reset. ## Sources 1. [Restart, Reboot, and Reset: Solutions for Network ... - Vodafone Community](https://forum.vodafone.de/t5/Community-Blog-english-version/Restart-Reboot-and-Reset-Solutions-for-Network-Problems/ba-p/3184752) (forum.vodafone.de) 2. [How to factory reset a Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub THG3000 Router](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrUaSXZdRwU) (www.youtube.com) 3. [Vodafone Support Centre](https://www.vodafone.co.uk/business/support/articles/how-do-i-factory-reset-my-vodafone-router----4eb44375-9151-4741-bfbb-b04682d1f308) (www.vodafone.co.uk) 4. [Vodafone WiFi Router Setup & Expert Settings & How to ... - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7gtxZG7hw) (www.youtube.com) 5. [Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi R219z - Restore factory default settings | Vodafone UK](https://deviceguides.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone/mobile-wi-fi-r219z-windows-11/installation/restore-factory-default-settings/) (deviceguides.vodafone.co.uk)