Change your router password through its admin panel, which you reach by typing your router's IP address into a web browser

Your router has two passwords: the Wi-Fi password (what guests use to connect) and the admin password (what lets you change router settings). Most people need to change the Wi-Fi password. To do this, you log into your router's admin panel, find the wireless settings, and update the password there. The whole process takes about five minutes and requires only a web browser — no special software or technical knowledge.

The admin password is harder to change because you need the current one to get in. If you have never changed it, it is still the default password printed on a sticker on your router's back or bottom. If you have changed it and forgotten it, you will need to reset the entire router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings and Wi-Fi password.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) printed on the router itself or in your router's manual.
  • Type that IP address into a web browser's address bar, then log in with the default username and password from the router's label.
  • Look for "Wireless Settings" or "Wi-Fi Settings" and change the password there — this is the password your devices use to connect.
  • Change the admin password in a separate section (often called "Administration" or "System Settings") so someone else cannot log in and change your settings.

Finding your router's IP address and default login

Your router has a label on the back or bottom that shows the IP address you need to type into a browser. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.100.1. The label also shows the default username (often "admin") and default password. Write these down before you start.

If the label is missing or unreadable, you can find the IP address another way. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "Default Gateway" — that is your router's IP address. On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Network, click Advanced, and look at the Router field. On a phone or tablet, go to Wi-Fi settings, tap the network you are connected to, and look for "Router" or "Gateway".

Log into your router's admin panel

Open any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — it does not matter which). Click the address bar at the top and type your router's IP address exactly as it appears on the label. Press Enter. A login page should appear asking for a username and password.

Type the default username and password from the router's label. If you have changed the admin password before and remember it, use that instead. Click Login or Submit. You should now see your router's settings dashboard — a page with options like Wireless, Network, Administration, or System.

Change the Wi-Fi password

Look for a section called "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Wireless Settings," or "WLAN." Click it. You should see a field labeled "Password," "Passphrase," "Pre-Shared Key," or "PSK." This is the password your devices use to connect to your Wi-Fi.

Delete the current password and type a new one. Make it at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #). Avoid words from the dictionary or personal information like birthdays. Write down the new password somewhere safe — you will need it to connect devices to Wi-Fi.

Look for a button labeled "Save," "explore," or "OK" and click it. Your router will restart, which takes 30 seconds to two minutes. Your Wi-Fi will drop briefly. Once it comes back, use the new password to reconnect your devices.

Change the admin password

While you are logged in, find a section called "Administration," "System Settings," "Management," or "Advanced." Look for a field labeled "Admin Password," "Management Password," or "System Password." This is different from the Wi-Fi password — it controls who can log into the router and change its settings.

Change this password to something different from your Wi-Fi password and different from any password you use elsewhere. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — not in a text file on your computer, but in a physical notebook or a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. If you forget this password, you will have to reset the router to factory settings.

Click Save or explore. The router may restart again. You are now logged out. The next time you need to change router settings, you will log in with the new admin password.

What to do if you forgot the admin password

If you cannot remember the admin password and cannot log in, you must reset the router to factory settings. On most routers, there is a small button labeled "Reset" on the back. Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart.

After the reset, the router returns to its default password (the one on the label). You can now log in again. However, resetting erases all your custom settings — your Wi-Fi password, any port forwarding rules, and any other changes you made. You will need to set everything up again from scratch.

Why change both passwords

The Wi-Fi password keeps casual visitors off your network. The admin password keeps someone who is already on your network from changing your settings, redirecting your traffic, or locking you out of your own router. If you only change the Wi-Fi password and leave the admin password as the factory default, anyone who knows that default (it is printed on millions of routers) can log in and cause real damage.

Changing both passwords takes ten minutes total and is the single most important step in securing a home network. It is worth doing even if you live alone, because it protects you if someone gains temporary access to your Wi-Fi — through a weak password, a guest who shares it, or a device that was compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot find the admin panel after typing the IP address?

The IP address on your router label might be wrong, or your computer might not be connected to the router's network. Try the other common addresses: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.100.1. If none of those work, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully start up.

Can I change my Wi-Fi password without knowing the admin password?

No. You must log into the admin panel with the admin password to reach the wireless settings. If you have never changed the admin password, use the default from the label. If you have changed it and forgotten it, you must reset the router to factory settings.

What if my router does not have a Reset button?

Some routers use a different method. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for reset instructions. Many newer routers have a small hole instead of a button — use a straightened paperclip to press inside it. A few routers reset by holding down the power button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Do I need to change my password if I live alone?

Yes. Someone outside your home can crack a weak Wi-Fi password or guess the default admin password. Once inside, they can see your traffic, change your settings, or use your internet for illegal activity. Changing both passwords takes ten minutes and closes those doors.

Will changing my password disconnect my devices?

Changing the Wi-Fi password will disconnect all devices temporarily. After the router restarts, you will need to reconnect each device using the new password. Changing the admin password does not affect your devices — only the next time someone tries to log into the router settings.