This article details a few methods to revert an EX-Series switch to its default factory configuration settings.

Reverting an EX-Series Switch to Factory Default Configuration 

If, for any reason, the current active configuration on the EX Switch fails, you can revert the device to its factory default configuration. You can also roll back to a previous configuration, which is covered in other Knowledge Base articles and the EX-Series documentation.

The default factory configuration contains the basic configuration settings. This is the first configuration of the switch and it is loaded when the switch is first installed and powered on.

You can revert the EX switch to the factory default configuration by using the Menu button to the right of the LCD on the front panel of the switch or by using the load factory-default configuration command.

Reverting the to the Factory Default Configuration by Using the Menu Button 

To reset the EX switch to the factory default configuration, use the buttons to the right of the LCD on the front panel of the switch as shown in Figure 1 below. 

Figure 1: EX-series Switch Front Panel

Note: If you want to convert an EX-4200 switch from being a member of a multi-member virtual chassis configuration to a standalone switch, first disconnect the cables connected to the virtual chassis ports (VCPs). See Disconnecting a Virtual Chassis Cable from an EX-series Switch. The Menu button procedure deletes all modified configuration parameters, including the virtual chassis parameters such as member ID, mastership priority, and setting of VCP uplinks. 

1. Press the Menu button until you see MAINTENANCE MENU on the panel.

2. Press the Enter button.

3. Press Menu until you see FACTORY DEFAULT.

4. Press Enter. The display says RESTORE DEFAULT?.

5. Press Enter. The screen flashes FACTORY DEFAULT IN PROGRESS and returns to the idle menu. For more information about Idle Menu, see EX-series Switch—LCD.

Reverting to the Factory Default Configuration by Using the load factory-default Command 

The load factory-default command is a standard Junos configuration command and works in the standard way when the command is entered on an EX3200 switch or on a standalone EX4200 switch.

When this configuration command is entered on a single EX-4200 switch, it replaces the current active configuration with the factory default configuration. A commit command commits this factory default configuration on the switch. 

NOTE:  Any information that had been configured prior to issuing load factory-default is deleted, including the virtual chassis parameters such as member ID, mastership priority, and setting of VCP uplinks. 

However, the load factory-default command is not supported on a multi-member virtual chassis. If you try to issue a commit command after using load factory-default on a virtual chassis that has two or more members, the command fails.

Workaround for a switch that was previously included in a multi-member virtual chassis 

The following workaround allows you to reset a switch, which was previously included in a multi-member virtual chassis, to factory default configuration.

It deletes all configuration parameters other than the virtual chassis parameters, and allows you to commit the configuration. It does not delete information related to member ID, mastership priority, or settings of VCP uplinks:

1.  To revert the switch to the factory default configuration, enter this command in CLI mode:

user@switch# load factory-default 

2. To enable this default configuration file to run correctly, enter this command:

user@switch# delete system commit factory-settings 

3. Commit the modified default configuration file:

user@switch# commit 

Check the member ID and mastership priority with the show virtual-chassis status  command and check to see whether there are other settings for uplink VCPs by using the show virtual-chassis vc-port  command.

You can remove any remaining virtual chassis parameters as follows:

• To change the member ID, use the request virtual-chassis renumber command.

• To change mastership priority, edit the mastership-priority value.

• To delete the setting of an uplink VCP, use request virtual-chassis vc-port delete-pic-slot.

• 2020-08-10: Article reviewed for accuracy; no changes required

• 2020-10-15: Added related link and updated "load factory default" to "load factory-default"

• 2026-03-30: Minor, non-technical changes made for search optimization

• Technical Documentation on load