How to reset a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) to factory defaults

Resolution

Complete these steps to reset the WLC to factory default settings using the CLI:

1. Enter reset system at the command prompt.
   
2. At the prompt that asks whether you need to save changes to the configuration, enter Y or N. The unit reboots.
   
3. When you are prompted for a username, enter recover-config to restore the factory default configuration.
   
   The WLC reboots and displays the  Welcome to the Cisco WLAN Solution Wizard Configuration Tool message.
   
4. Use the configuration wizard to enter configuration settings.

Note: Once the WLC is reset to defaults, you need a serial connection to the WLC in order to use the configuration wizard.

For more information on resetting the device to default settings using GUI, refer to the Resetting the Device to Default Settings section of Configuring Controller Settings.

 

source