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MichelKesin's avatar
MichelKesin
Follower
Jun 17, 2021

Does factory reset remove the recovery security questions for Netgear?

I bought a used Nighthawk AC 3200 and I have reset the name and password to the default. However, whenever I tried logging into the website to change the WiFi name, there are two security questions after I enter the serial number. And I can't pass it.

Is there any way I can get rid of it? The WiFi works, just can't change the names and access the settings.

Hardware

2 Replies

  • antinode's avatar
    antinode
    Guru
    Jun 17, 2021

    > I bought a used Nighthawk AC 3200 [...]

     

       "AC3200" is a speed, not a model number.  Look for "Model" on the
    product label.

     

    > [...] I have reset the name and password to the default. [...]

     

       How, exactly?

     

       Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your (actual) model number,
    and look for Documentation.  Get the User Manual (at least).  Read.
    Look for "Types of Logins" and "Reset".  Further reading might not hurt,
    either.

     

    > [...] whenever I tried logging into the website to change the WiFi
    > name, there are two security questions [...]

     

       "tried" how, exactly?  The usual cause for getting security
    questions is putting in the wrong user name and/or password.  A
    settings reset (done properly) should restore the default password.

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jun 17, 2021
     
    MichelKesin wrote:

    I bought a used Nighthawk AC 3200 and I have reset the name and password to the default. However, whenever I tried logging into the website to change the WiFi name, there are two security questions after I enter the serial number.

    There is a bug in Netgear's implementation of password recovery on some devices. You can get locked into a closed loop.


    If password recovery is enabled, but you have not set the answers to the questions, it keeps sending you back to the beginning of the process. If you haven't already given the thing your personal answers, they are not in its memory and it has no way of knowing if they are correct.


    If the standard factory password (password) does not work, then you will have to factory reset the thing to get back to that. Then either disable password recovery (check the manual for your device) or provide some answers to those questions. It isn't clear from your message what you mean by this bit:

     

    MichelKesin wrote:

    I bought a used Nighthawk AC 3200 and I have reset the name and password to the default.

    This is how to go about it:

     

    How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support

     

    Then when you set the thing up, you should have an option to disable password recovery during the setup process. Do that and the prompts should go away.

     

    Get the manual and look for "Password Recovery".

     

    You don't say which router you own, the model number, but most Netgear devices have this option. Over the years, though, Netgear has tried to build on more "security" and will sometimes throw up prompts urging yo to change passwords. Don't just ignore those prompts. They will keep coming back until you "do the right thing".