Why you need to change your router password first
Your router comes with a default password from the manufacturer — usually printed on a sticker on the device itself or in the manual. Anyone who knows your router model can look up that default password online and log into your network settings. Changing it to something only you know is the single fastest way to lock down who can access your home network.
This is different from your WiFi password (the one you give guests). The router password protects the settings themselves — who can change what devices connect, what speeds they get, and whether traffic gets logged. If someone gets into your router settings, they can lock you out of your own network or redirect your traffic through their computer.
You do not need to change it often after the first time. Once per year is reasonable. But if you suspect someone has accessed your router, or if you gave the password to a technician and they never changed it back, change it now.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your router by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser on a device connected to your network.
- Your router username is almost always "admin" — the password is the one printed on the sticker, unless you changed it before.
- Once logged in, look for "Administration," "System Settings," or "Advanced" to find where the password field lives; the exact location varies by brand.
- Write down your new password somewhere safe before you log out, because you will need it if you ever need to change settings again.
- Changing the router password does not affect your WiFi password — guests can still connect the same way they always have.
Finding your router's login page
Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi — a phone, tablet, or computer. Type your router's IP address into the address bar. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither of those works, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router; the IP address is usually listed there.
Press Enter. A login screen should appear asking for a username and password. If nothing appears, make sure you typed the address correctly and that you are connected to your own WiFi, not a mobile hotspot or a neighbor's network.
If you get an error message saying the page cannot be reached, your router may use a different address. Check the manual or the sticker again. Some routers use addresses like 192.168.100.1 or even a web address like routerlogin.net.
Logging in with the default credentials
The username is almost always admin. The password is the one printed on the sticker attached to your router. Look for a label that says "Password," "Admin Password," or sometimes just "PWD." It may be a string of numbers and letters, or it may say something like "admin" or "password" if the manufacturer set a straightforward default.
Type both into the login screen and click the button to log in. If it does not work, double-check that you copied the password exactly — these are case-sensitive, so "Admin" is different from "admin." If you still cannot log in, you may have changed the password before and forgotten it. In that case, see the section on resetting your router below.
Locating the password change screen
Once you are logged in, you will see your router's settings dashboard. The layout varies widely depending on the brand and model. Look for a menu or tab labeled "Administration," "System Settings," "Advanced," or "Management." Some routers put it under "System" or "Tools."
Click on that section. Inside, you should see an option for "Change Password," "Admin Password," "System Password," or "Login Password." Click on it. Do not confuse this with "WiFi Password" or "Network Key" — those are different and control who can connect to your network, not who can change the settings.
If you cannot find it after checking the main menu sections, look for a "Help" or "Search" feature in the router's interface. Some routers have a search box at the top of the settings page where you can type "password" and jump straight to the right screen.
Entering your new password
The password change screen will ask you to enter your current password first, then your new password twice (once to enter it, once to confirm you typed it correctly). Type your current password — the one from the sticker — in the first field.
In the "New Password" field, enter a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if the router allows them. Avoid using the same password as your WiFi password or any password you use elsewhere. A password like "BlueDoor#Kitchen2024" is stronger than "password123."
Type the same new password in the "Confirm Password" field. Check both fields carefully — if they do not match exactly, the router will reject the change. Once both are filled in correctly, click "Save," "explore," "Update," or whatever button the router uses to confirm the change.
What happens after you save
The router will process the change, which usually takes a few seconds. You may be logged out automatically and returned to the login screen. If so, log back in using "admin" as the username and your new password. If the login works, the change was successful.
Write down your new password and store it somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a notebook in a find place. Do not email it to yourself or store it in a cloud document that could be hacked. You will need this password if you ever need to change your WiFi password, adjust port forwarding, or troubleshoot your network.
Your WiFi password remains unchanged. Anyone who was connected to your network before will still be able to connect the same way. Only the ability to log into the router settings itself has changed.
If you forgot your router password
If you changed the password before and cannot remember it now, you will need to reset the router to its factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings and returns the router to the state it came in — including resetting the password back to the default on the sticker.
Look for a small button labeled "Reset" on the back or bottom of your router. Using a paperclip or the tip of a pen, press and hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink, indicating the reset is in progress. When they stop blinking and return to normal, the reset is complete.
Wait a minute for the router to fully restart, then log in again using "admin" and the default password from the sticker. After you are in, change the password to a new one you will remember, following the steps above. Note that resetting also erases any custom WiFi settings, so you may need to set up your WiFi name and password again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my router password disconnect my devices from WiFi?
No. The router password and the WiFi password are separate. Changing the router password does not affect WiFi at all — your phone, laptop, and other devices will stay connected without any action from you.
What if I change the router password and then cannot log back in?
If you typed the new password correctly and it still does not work, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for it to fully boot up and try logging in again. If it still fails, you may need to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button.
Can I use the same password for my router and my WiFi?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If someone guesses your WiFi password, they should not also be able to change your router settings. Keep them different so that a guest who knows your WiFi password cannot access the administration panel.
How often should I change my router password?
Once per year is a reasonable schedule for a home network. Change it sooner if you suspect someone has accessed your settings, if a technician visited and you gave them the password, or if you have not changed it since you first set up the router.
Where should I write down my router password?
A locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager on your computer are all better options than writing it on a sticky note on the router itself. If you use a password manager, make sure the master password to that manager is something only you know.