Ubiquiti UniFi access point fix broken reset switch

You need to reset your UniFi access point, but when you put a paperclip into the reset hole, you don't feel anything inside. The flimsy reset pushbutton has probably snapped off the board.
I couldn't find any resources online about how to fix it, so I decided to work it out myself and share the process.
These are the steps a moderately-experienced tech could follow to fix the problem. You'll need a steady hand, a 'spudger' and soldering iron.

[@rogerjones5280]

Thanks for the video! My button was also broken off and I don't have a soldering iron. However it was simple to hold down the button on the board itself for 10 seconds, it reset, and I was able to finally re-adopt it.

[@Tittanu2012]

I agree. Much easier to remove the small metal pieces over the switch and then replug the cable in the unit and push the reset button on the board for 10 sec. I actually threw the small metal pieces in the bin (where they belong imo...)

[@michaelbarr7586]

Thank you. In my situation the reset button hole was not aligned with the button! used a self tapping screw to make the hole bigger.

[@lichtdatacommunicationsinc2793]

You can do SSH Factory Reset.

[@121sim]

In my case I was able to press the button through the whole and I could feel the "clicking", but apparently the switch was bust. After opening up the AP, I was able to short left and right side of the micro switch with a short piece of wire to reset it.

[@rubatoguy]

Awesome. I kept trying to reset my AP and it felt like there was nothing in the hole! Mystery solved!

[@renegade637]

I don't have the issue where the button has detached from the board. However, it does get me wondering if the button itself doesn't work anymore.

[@aamjad2001]

Hi. Mu unifi ac pro would startup fine. But its signals are full only when i and within 2 ft from it. Any far from this distance and no wifi signals. Can you help what might be wrong. Someone in a post said that a lose somthing on the motherboard is the cause but i could not identify any such thing

[@geigeradius]

Thanks, i was able to repair this button

[@KevinVeenman]

For me the button snapped off completely. Soldered two small wires to the leads, expanded the reset button hole and fed them out. When the wires touch it resets. Put some electrical tape on both wires for the intermediate period when not needing the reset.

[@renegade637]

I may consider doing that. I pulled out our old AP to see if I could do anything with it. I think it's stuck in an upgrade mode because it flashes green and amber every 1 second. However, I can't get it to reset via the reset button. Makes me wonder if the reset button is broken mechanically.

[@TheCrushMedia]

is there a way to activate the reset switch if its been missing? i bought a refurbished nas drive which failed on me and i couldnt get the reset switch to work. after opening i noticed the button was gone completely

[@daxliniere]

Touch a wire between the two terminals where the switch would be attached. A paperclip might do the trick, otherwise a tinned wire.

[@TheNolan28]

How about if the access point did not reset what must be the problem, my access point is sailsky

[@jakenology17]

How much you charge for repair?

[@ukmedthegreat]

fuck me what a lazy, cheap and stupid design. Cheers for the help!