If you are unable to login to your 3Com Wireless gear, it may be because you are typing-in incorrect authentication (username/password) details. Double-check your password (if any), and verify that neither the CAPSLOCK key on your keyboard is “On,” nor one of the SHIFT keys on your keyboard stuck in pressed-down state.

Considering that many administrators restrict how (using only wired, terminal, or wireless access), and from where (using filters based on IP addresses, MAC Addresses, or only from select computers) various devices can be configured, it may be quite possible that you are not even reaching the device in question. It may be helpful, therefore, to try to login using a wired (LAN based, or Terminal/Serial Port) access before doing a brute-force factory reset on your 3Com gear.

If you are still unable to login using a direct/wired access, and if you are certain that you are using the right (case-sensitive) password; you may have no options but to reset your 3Com wireless device to factory default settings. However, should you choose to do so, it will completely wipe out your configuration changes –including user accounts, Ethernet settings, access filters, and network usage statistics. You will have to repeat all your configuration steps –starting afresh with the friendly configuration wizard once again. It might be a good idea to alert all your network users that they may lose connectivity while you try to restore your wireless device to factory defaults, and then work on reconfiguring it to its previous operational state.

Even though the actual steps involved in resetting the make/model of your 3Com hardware may vary slightly, the task ahead of you is rather simple. You will have to hold down the Rest button for between 10 to 30 seconds, release it, and then wait for a few seconds while your 3Com hardware reboots.

Please note that on some 3Com products (e.g. on 3Com Wireless LAN Building to Building Bridge, 3Com product # 3CRWE91096A), the reset button (a little push button) is located at the back of the unit. On some other 3Com products (e.g. Access Point 2000 3CRWE20096A, Access Point 6000 3CRWE60092A, Access Point 8000, 3CRWE80096A, etc.), the reset button is located at the front of the unit.

Here is how to reset a 3Com Access Point 2000/6000/8000 to Factory Defaults:

1. Turn on the Power to your AP –if not already.
   
2. Insert a thin/pointed object (a pen or paper clip) into the RESET hole on the AP above the power connector.
   
3. Hold down the reset button for a few (between 15 to 30) seconds,
   
4. Release the "Reset" button.
   
5. Your 3Com AP is now reset to factory defaults.

However, if your 3Com device is connected to an active Internet connection, pressing/holding down the reset button may not restore your 3Com gear to factory defaults. You will probably see that the power LED will blink amber and your 3Com hardware will reboot; but it will not be restored to factory defaults and you will not be able to login using factory default password. This is especially true if you have a PoE device. Unplug all Ethernet/PoE cables connecting to your 3Com gear before pressing the reset button. This should allow your 3Com hardware to be reset and restore all settings to their default values.

Check your 3Com documentation for default passwords, or visit other information pages in this (3Com) category at this website for information on default IP address, Netmask, and password for your specific 3Com product make and model type.