Your router no longer receives security updates: decide what to replace

A router can still provide Wi-Fi after its manufacturer stops security updates. That does not mean it is safe to expose indefinitely. A factory reset changes settings but does not create new security patches. Check the exact model and hardware revision before deciding it is unsupported; similar names may have different firmware.

Make an evidence-based plan​

1. Read the model and hardware revision on the router label and compare them with the vendor's official support page. Check the latest firmware, release date and any end-of-support notice. For an ISP-owned device, ask the provider for its update policy.
2. Before replacing, list the important settings: internet connection type, Wi-Fi names, guest network, any deliberate port rules and devices that need reconnecting. Do not export a configuration file and upload it to an unknown website.
3. Choose a currently supported replacement with automatic or clear update notifications and WPA3 or WPA2 support. Confirm compatibility with your connection and provider. NIST identifies secure, authenticated software updates as a baseline requirement for consumer routers.
4. Install the new router, update its firmware, change the administrator credential and test main and guest networks. Remove stale port rules rather than copying every old exposure.

Retire the old unit​

Factory-reset it according to the vendor's instructions, remove it from any cloud management account and dispose of it appropriately. If it belongs to the ISP, return it through their process. NIST's router requirements explain why updates matter. The FTC's connected-device advice also recommends disconnecting old equipment. A new router does not patch outdated cameras or smart plugs; audit those separately.