You've been messing with your TP-Link extender for a while now. Something is wrong, the link might be dropping, or it might not be connecting to your router. You thought that a reset would fix it either way. That's a good move most of the time.
You're stuck now, though. You didn't let go of the reset button. You took it out of the plug and put it back in. You did everything the guide told you to do. Still nothing is happening. It's not starting over.
There's likely a simple reason why your TP-Link extender isn't restarting itself. Let's look at this together and figure out what's going on.
First, make sure you’re actually resetting it the Right Way
I know this sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people miss it.
Here’s the right way to reset most TP-Link extenders:
Find the reset button—usually a small pinhole labeled RESET on the side or bottom.
Use a paperclip or pin.
Hold it for at least 10 seconds. Sometimes you need to go up to 15.
Watch for the LED lights. Most models will blink or flash to show they’re resetting.
Don’t just tap the button. Holding it for 3 seconds won’t do it. You need to keep that button pressed until the lights change.
If you’re doing that and still nothing—keep reading.
Is It Plugged In and Powered Up?
Again, seems basic. But you must make sure the extender is fully powered on before trying a reset.
Plug it into a stable outlet (not a surge protector for now).
Wait until the power light turns solid.
Then try holding the reset button.
If the device is still booting when you try the reset, it won’t work. Let it fully start up first.
Are You Using the Right Reset Button?
Some TP-Link extenders have more than one button—WPS, LED, power, reset. And on some models, the reset function is shared with another button, like WPS.
Check your exact model number (on the label) and look up the reset instructions for that model on TP-Link’s official site. You want to make sure you're pressing the actual reset button and not something else.
What about the Deco Series? (Important for “How to Reset Deco” Searches)
If you're dealing with a TP-Link Deco unit and not a basic extender, the reset process is a little different.
For Deco models, here’s how to reset:
Make sure the Deco is powered on.
Locate the reset button (usually on the base or back).
Press and hold for 10 seconds.
The LED will change color—usually yellow or pulsing white—that means it's resetting.
If you're Google "how to reset Deco" and nothing’s working, you might be holding the button too short or releasing it before the LED starts blinking. Be patient. It takes a few seconds.
Also, note that on Deco units, holding the button for 1 second only reboots the device—it doesn’t factory reset it. You need that 10-second hold.
Still Not Resetting? Try a Hard Power Cycle
Sometimes the internal software gets stuck and needs a full shutdown before it’ll respond to a reset.
Here’s what to do:
Unplug the extender (or Deco) completely.
Wait at least 30 seconds.
Plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot.
Then do the reset process again—hold for 10–15 seconds.
Watch those LEDs. If they don’t blink or change, and you’re sure you’re pressing the right button the right way, you might be dealing with a deeper issue.
Check for a Firmware Glitch
If you’ve been messing with settings, or an update failed halfway, the extender might be stuck in a weird state.
You might need to do a manual firmware recovery. That’s a last resort, and it depends on the model. You’ll usually need a computer, an Ethernet cable, and the firmware file from TP-Link’s site.
That’s rare—but it happens. Especially after a power outage or interrupted update.
Final Option: Contact TP-Link or Replace It
If nothing works—no LED changes, no reset response, no web login—it might be a hardware fault. It doesn’t happen often, but if your extender or Deco unit won’t reset at all, and you've tried everything here, it could be time to contact TP-Link support or consider replacing it.
Most of their products come with a decent warranty, and if you're within the window, they’ll usually send a replacement.
Final Thoughts
If your TP-Link extender isn’t resetting, don’t assume it’s broken right away. Nine times out of ten, it’s just a matter of holding the button too short, not waiting for the LEDs, or trying it while the unit’s still booting up.
When you know the right timing—and you understand the difference between a restart and a reset—it makes all the difference.
So whether you're figuring out how to reset Deco or trying to get an extender back to factory settings, take it slow. Be patient. Watch the lights.
And once it finally resets, you can start clean—and set it up the right way from scratch. No more guessing. Just solid Wi-Fi again.
Write a comment ...