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Cisco Meraki Documentation

Resetting Cisco Meraki Devices to Factory Defaults

Overview

Cisco Meraki devices can be reset to factory defaults using the reset button on the device. This requires a paper clip or object with a long thin tip. Insert the tip of the paper clip into the reset button, then press and hold for 10-15 seconds or until the power light goes out (whichever occurs first). This will reset the device to factory defaults and reboot. If a static IP address was configured for the device, it will need to be configured again using the local status page. 


Resetting a Meraki appliance to factory defaults will clear the local configuration stored on that appliance. This will clear any statically assigned IP address information, Ethernet configuration, DHCP lease pool, and web proxy settings.  

If a device is still in a network after being factory reset, it will re-download its previous configuration when it comes back online. This includes any previously assigned static IP addresses. If the configuration needs to be completely reset, make sure to remove the device from its network before resetting to factory defaults (you may follow Adding and Removing Devices from Dashboard Networks

Before attempting a factory reset, it's recommended that you wait until after the status light has started cycling colors. This will ensure the device has finished booting and is prepared to accept the factory reset. 

Rack-Mounted Security Appliance

To reset a rack-mounted security appliance to the factory defaults, press the button labeled Reset on the front panel of the security appliance for 10-15 seconds. This will clear the static IP address settings, DHCP lease pool, and local configuration of the device. After resetting the unit, the device will need to download its latest configuration from the dashboard. Please be patient as this could take up to 5-10 minutes.

To reconfigure a static IP address on a security appliance, please follow the instructions in Using the Cisco Meraki Device Status Page article.

 

Reset button of the rack-mounted MX security appliance - located on the front panel next to the USB port  

Compact MX Security Appliance and Z-Series Teleworker Gateway

To reset a compact (non-rack-mounted) security appliance or teleworker gateway to the factory defaults, press the button labeled Reset on the back panel of the security appliance for 10-15 seconds. This will clear the static IP address settings, DHCP lease pool, and local configuration of the device. After resetting the unit, the device will need to download its latest configuration from the dashboard. Please be patient as this could take up to 5-10 minutes. 

Reset button of a compact MX or Z-Series appliance -  located on the back panel next to the USB port

 

The reset button on different security appliances or Teleworker gateway appliances may have different indicators/words such as "Reset," "Restore," or simply a circular arrow icon. There is only ever one hole for a factory reset on these appliances, regardless of the label.

 

"Restore" label used instead of "Reset" on an MX or Z-Series appliance

On some security appliances, the reset button is located on the side of the unit (next to the USB port) and labeled with a circular arrow:

 

Circular arrow label used instead of "Reset" on an MX or Z-Series appliance

MX84

On the MX84, the reset button is located on the back of the unit, and labeled with a circular arrow:

Circular arrow label used instead of "Reset" on the MX84 appliance

MS Access Switches

To reset a switch to the factory defaults, press the button labeled Reset or Restore on the front panel of the switch for 10-15 seconds. Be sure to release the button after the power light goes out. This will clear the static IP address settings and local configuration of the device. After resetting the unit, the device will need to download its latest configuration from the dashboard. Please be patient as this could take up to 5-10 minutes. 

Note: Holding the reset button after the switch reboots will place it in factory test mode. If this has occurred, reboot the device to return it to normal behavior.

Reset button of an MS switch located on the front panel next to port 2

 

On MS420 series switches, the Restore button will be located on the right side of the switch, adjacent to the Small-Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) ports.

Reset button on the MS420 switch is located on the front-right side of the switch - next to management port

  

For diagrams indicating the location of the reset/restore button, view the MS Installation Guides articles.

For information about configuring a static IP address on the switch, view the MS Quick Start Guide.  

MS350 Series Switch

On the MS350 series switches, the reset button is located on the back of the unit, labeled with a circular arrow:

Circular arrow reset button on MS350 switch - located on the back-left panel near the management port

MR Access Points

Outdoor Access Points

To reset an outdoor Access point (AP) to the factory defaults, press the button labeled Reset below the Ethernet port of the Access point for 10-15 seconds. This will clear the static IP address settings and local configuration of the device. After resetting the unit, the device will need to download its latest configuration from the dashboard. Please be patient as this could take up to 5-10 minutes. 

Note: MR58 and OD2 devices do not have a reset button.

The reset button is located in a small pin-sized hole next to the Ethernet port.

Reset button of the outdoor MR access point is located below the Ethernet port

To set up a static IP address on a Cisco Meraki AP, refer to the Static IP Assignment on a Cisco Meraki Access Point article.

MR70, MR78

For these models, the reset button is located next to the Ethernet port, within the cable bay.

Reset button placement for MR70 and MR78 access points

Indoor Access Points

To reset an indoor access point to the factory defaults, press the button labeled Reset for 10-15 seconds. The location of this button varies and is illustrated below. Resetting the unit will clear the static IP address settings and local configuration of the device. After resetting the unit, the device will need to download its latest configuration from the dashboard. Please be patient as this could take up to 5-10 minutes. 

The reset button for most indoor models is located adjacent to the power and Ethernet ports on the Access point. Exact location will vary by model.

Reset button of the MR11, MR14, MR18, MR26, MR32, MR33, and MR34 is located next to the Ethernet port.

To set up a static IP address on a Cisco Meraki Access point, visit the article for Static IP Assignment on a Cisco Meraki Access Point.

MR12, MR16, MR24, MR30H, MR36H

For these models, the reset button is located on the rear plate of the AP.

Reset button of the MR 12, MR16, MR24 is located on the back plate.

MV Security Cameras

Each camera model has a different reset button location. After resetting any camera, the device will need to download its latest configuration from the dashboard. Please be patient as this could take up to 5-10 minutes. 

Stored video will not be deleted upon doing a factory reset. To delete video, the camera must be removed from the network. 

  • [No photo] For the MV21 and the MV71 to factory defaults, press the button located next to the Ethernet port for five seconds,
  • For the MV63 the reset button is under the dome behind the desiccant packet.

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  • For the MV93 the reset button is on the rear side.

MV93_factoryreset1.jpg

  • For the MV12 and MV22 turn the optical dome to unlock it from the base.

On the MV12:

Reset button of the MV12 is located beneath the optical dome, along the inner edge.

On the MV22:

Reset button of the MV22 is located beneath the optical dome, along the inner edge.

  • For the MV52, the reset button is the under the top lens hood, towards the rear. Slide the hood of the camera away from the front lens towards the mounting plate, and slide the longer cover under the hood to find the pin hole to factory reset the camera. Note that it may require significant force to slide the plastic hood away from the camera body.

On the MV52:

Reset button of the MV52 is located on beneath the optical dome, above the ball joint.

  • For the MV63 and MV72 you will first need to loosen four Torx head security screws before removing the optical dome.

On the MV72:

Reset button of the MV72 is located beneath the optical dome along the outer edge.

  • For the MV32 the reset button is next to the Ethernet port as in the MV21 and MV71.

On the MV32:

Reset button of the MV32 is located on the back panel near the cutout for the Ethernet cable.