How do I update my FRITZ!Box and reset it to factory settings?

Updating FRITZ!OS keeps your FRITZ!Box secure and adds new features. If your FRITZ!Box no longer works properly or you want to pass it on, you can reset it to factory settings. Here is how to do both.

Short answer: start the update in the user interface under 'System' → 'Update'. You can reset the FRITZ!Box under 'System' → 'Backup', where you can also back up your settings first. If you can no longer access the user interface, depending on the model you can use the reset button, the phone code #991*15901590*, the app or the 'Forgot your password?' function.

CONTENTS

• Updating FRITZ!OS online
• Before you reset: back up your settings
• Resetting to factory settings (with access to the user interface)
• Resetting without access to the user interface

Updating FRITZ!OS online

ℹ Automatic updates

In the 'Auto-Update' tab you can set whether the FRITZ!Box installs new FRITZ!OS versions automatically. Updates for connected FRITZ! devices, e.g. repeaters, can be found under 'Home Network' → 'Mesh'.

Before you reset: back up your settings

A reset deletes your personal settings. Your Teleboy internet settings are kept. FRITZ! therefore recommends creating a backup first. This lets you restore your settings after the reset.

Resetting to factory settings (with access to the user interface)

⚠ Before you reset

Your Teleboy internet settings are preconfigured on the FRITZ!Box and are kept. After the reset, the FRITZ!Box reconnects to the internet by itself. This can take a few minutes. Your personal settings (e.g. WLAN name and password) are deleted, however. So create a backup first. Afterwards, you log in again with the password printed on the label on the bottom. If you still have no internet after a few minutes, follow our guide Setting Up the FRITZ!Box (DSL & Fiber Optic) or contact us.

These steps use the FRITZ!Box 5530 as an example. Depending on the model, the FRITZ!OS version and the interface language, the menus may differ slightly.

Resetting without access to the user interface

If you can no longer log in, for example because you changed the password and then forgot it, there are several options. Which methods are available depends on the model. Check the manual of your device to see which ones your FRITZ!Box supports.

ℹ Check first

If your browser only shows a blank or white page, clear the browser cache and try again. For advanced users: with a LAN cable, the FRITZ!Box can also be reached at the emergency IP address 169.254.1.1 if you give your computer the static IP address 169.254.1.2 with the subnet mask 255.255.255.0, but you still need the FRITZ!Box password to log in there.

Option A: with the reset button

Option B: with a connected phone

With a cordless phone that is not registered with the FRITZ!Box, you may first need to allow characters such as * and # to be sent in the phone settings.

Option C: with the AVM app

Option D: via 'Forgot your password?'

If you are offered 'Send push service mail' under 'Forgot your password?', you can use it to reset only the password. Your other settings are then kept.

If the FRITZ!Box does not establish an internet connection after the reset and the info LED is red, follow our guide Setting Up the FRITZ!Box (DSL & Fiber Optic) or contact us.

ℹ More information from the manufacturer

You can find detailed instructions from FRITZ!: Updating FRITZ!OS via online update, Loading the FRITZ!Box factory settings and Forgot password for the FRITZ!Box user interface. More tips for when you cannot access your FRITZ!Box are available from CHIP: resetting the FRITZ!Box without access (in German).

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