There is nothing to clarify as there is no password only reset. A reset will indeed wipe everything. It is a router and therefor a security device and allowing a password reset would constitute a security threat in that someone might be able to use it, then gain access to your router and do whatever with your active settings, some of which you might not know about for sometime.
While some residential routers do have a way of allowing a reset, most commercial routers do not.
I can only suggest that if you are absolutely certain of the credentials, that perhaps trying a different browser will work. If not, then a reset is called for.
For all intents and purposes, this router is pretty much dead from a development standpoint. Now might be the time to consider its replacement if the other factors (time, cost, capabilities, etc.) involved align with the notion.