How to reset your Rio: what it erases and what to do next

Updated October 22, 2026.

Locked out of your Rio, or just want a clean start? That's frustrating, and there's a way back in. A reset is a built-in feature of your Rio. It also takes your home Wi-Fi offline and disconnects every device on it. Here's exactly what happens, so you can pick a good time and not be caught off guard. Plan on about 15 minutes.

When should you reset your Rio?

A reset is a fresh start. It's the wrong tool for most everyday problems, because it disconnects everything. It helps most when other fixes have run out.

A reset can help when

• The app says "This Rio is managed by a different Rio account." Your Rio keeps a list of the Rio account emails it was set up with, and the account you used isn't on it. Try signing in with the account that set up the Rio first. If you can't, a reset erases the list so you can set the Rio up with yours.
• Someone else may have set up your Rio. Maybe a friend, a relative, an installer or the previous owner. If it's tied to their account, you'll see the message above. If your own account is already on the list, you don't need a reset.
• You bought or were given a used Rio. A reset clears the previous owner's settings and account link, so you start fresh.
• You forgot your Rio's admin password. Try Forgot password in the app first. You'll need the password printed on the label. If that doesn't work, a reset is the next step.
• Nothing else has worked. You've tried Restart and Forgot password, and the app still won't let you in. A reset is the last resort. If you can, email us before you do it.
• You're giving away, selling or returning your Rio. A reset erases your Wi-Fi settings and account link first, so the next person starts clean.
• You just want a clean slate, after a messy setup or a lot of experimenting.

Try something gentler first when

• Your Wi-Fi is slow or keeps dropping. Open the app, go to Settings and tap Restart. It erases nothing, and it often fixes the problem.
• Your Rio is on old software. Follow the update guide instead.
• You just want a different Wi-Fi name or password. Change it in the app. No reset needed.

Not sure which one you are? Email us what you're seeing. We'd rather help you pick than have you erase something you didn't need to.

What does a reset erase?

Everything you set up goes. The Rio's own identity stays. Here is the full list, so nothing surprises you.

In plain terms: a reset wipes your setup and disconnects everything. You can set it all up again, but it isn't instant.

What if your Rio is already up and running?

If your family relies on this Wi-Fi, we get it. In that case a reset is a real interruption, so pick a quiet time and tell everyone in the house first. Here's what to expect.

• Your Wi-Fi goes down. The Rio restarts after the reset, which usually takes about 5 minutes and sometimes longer. After that, it stays offline for your devices until you set it up again. Phones, TVs, cameras, smart plugs and work laptops all lose their connection.
• Every device is disconnected. The Rio's device list is erased, so each device has to join again.
• You set up your Rio again. Choose your Wi-Fi name and password, add your rooms and approve your devices. About 5 minutes in the app.
• Some devices may reconnect on their own. If you pick the same Wi-Fi name and password as before, some probably will. Don't count on it. Plan on rejoining the rest by hand.
• Remote access is off. Turn it back on once you're set up.
• Rio VPN should come back after setup. Open the app and give it a few minutes. If it doesn't show up, email us.

How do you reset it?

Two ways. Both do the same thing. Take it one step at a time.

Way 1: In the Rio app

Use this when you can sign in to your Rio. You need to be at home, on your Rio's Wi-Fi. The app won't reset your Rio from away, because you couldn't set it up again.

1. Open the Rio app and tap Settings.
2. Tap Reset to factory defaults.
3. Tick "I understand everything on my Rio is erased."
4. Tap Erase and reset. Once it starts, it can't be stopped.

Way 2: With the reset button

Use this when the app says "managed by a different Rio account," or you can't sign in. It works with no app and no password.

1. Keep your Rio plugged in and switched on.
2. Turn it around. On the back, find the tiny hole marked RESET. It sits between the WAN port and the round ON/OFF button.
3. Push a straightened paperclip into the hole and hold it for 5 seconds.
4. Watch the light. Flashing red means it's resetting. You can let go.

Nothing happened? That's okay. Try again and hold for 15 seconds, and make sure you pressed the tiny hole, not the round button.

Pressed the round button by mistake? It just turned your Rio off. Press it once to turn it back on, wait 2 minutes, then try the hole.

No paperclip? A SIM eject tool or a thin pen refill works. Skip pencils, because the lead can break off.

What to do after the reset

You're nearly there. Five small steps.

1. Wait several minutes. Give it up to 10. The light goes from flashing red to flashing green while it starts up. Solid red means it has no internet yet, which is normal until you plug it into your modem. Solid green means online.

2. Join your Rio's Wi-Fi. On the label on the bottom of your Rio, find the SSID (it starts with RIO-) and the Wi-Fi Password.

3. Open the Rio app and sign in with your own Rio account.
4. Type the label's "Password" line when the app asks for your Rio's password. That's the one next to "Username: admin," not the Wi-Fi Password.

5. Set up your Rio again. Follow the app's screens.

One thing to avoid: don't tap Forgot password on a second phone while you do this. It can take admin access away from the first one. Use the label.

Frequently asked questions

Will a reset disconnect my devices?

Yes. A reset erases your Wi-Fi name, password and device list, so your Wi-Fi goes down and every phone, TV, camera and laptop has to join again. Some may reconnect by themselves if you reuse your old Wi-Fi name and password, but don't count on it. Plan on rejoining the rest by hand.

Will I lose my Rio VPN subscription if I reset my Rio?

No. Your subscription is tied to your Rio account, not stored on the Rio, so a reset doesn't cancel it. The VPN sign-in on the Rio is erased, and our system should send it back after you set up again. If it doesn't, email us.

Does a reset undo my Rio's software update?

No. A reset keeps the software version, so it never rolls back to an older one.

How long does a Rio reset take?

About 15 minutes in total. The reset itself takes seconds. Then the Rio needs about 5 minutes to start up, sometimes longer, and setup in the app takes about 5. Your Wi-Fi is offline for most of that time.

Why does my Rio say it's managed by a different Rio account?

Your Rio keeps a list of the account emails it was set up with. If your account isn't on that list, it refuses to let you in. Signing in with the account that set it up fixes it. If you can't do that, a reset erases the list.

Do I need to reset my Rio to change my Wi-Fi password?

No. Change it in the Rio app. A reset is only for a fresh start.