Where to find your Verizon router and what you need

Your Verizon router is the box that broadcasts your WiFi signal — usually a white or black device about the size of a paperback book, sitting on a shelf or mounted on a wall. It has lights on the front that glow when it's working. Before you change your password, locate this router and have it nearby. You'll also need to know your current admin password, which is different from your WiFi password. If you don't know it, you can reset the router to factory settings, but that will erase your current WiFi password and all custom settings.

Most Verizon routers have a sticker on the bottom or back with default login information printed on it. Look for a username (usually "admin") and a password. Write these down before you start. You'll enter this information into a web browser to access the router's settings page, where the WiFi password lives.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your WiFi password by logging into your router's settings page using a web browser, not through an app or phone call.
  • The default admin password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your Verizon router — find it before you start.
  • After you change the password, all your devices will disconnect and you'll need to reconnect them using the new password.
  • If you forget your new password, you can reset the router to factory settings, but this erases all your custom settings and returns the WiFi password to the default.
  • Change your password at least once when you first set up your router, and again if you suspect someone has accessed your network.

Logging into your router's settings page

Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi — a computer, tablet, or phone. In the address bar at the top, type 192.168.0.1 and press Enter. This is the standard address for Verizon routers. A login page should appear asking for a username and password.

Enter admin as the username. For the password, use the one from the sticker on your router. If the sticker is worn or missing, try the default password motorola (for older Verizon routers) or check the router's manual. If none of these work, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds — this returns everything to defaults, including your WiFi password.

Once you're logged in, you should see a dashboard with various options. Look for a section labeled WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. The exact name depends on your router model, but it's usually near the top of the menu or on the left side.

Finding and changing your WiFi password

In the WiFi Settings section, you'll see fields for your network name (called the SSID) and your WiFi password. The password field may show dots or asterisks instead of the actual characters — this is normal for security. Click on the password field and clear it completely, then type your new password.

Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Something like Blue$Couch42! is stronger than password123. Avoid using your name, address, or anything someone could guess from your social media. Write down your new password in a safe place before you save it — you'll need it to reconnect your devices.

After you've entered your new password, look for a Save, explore, or OK button and click it. The router will process the change, which usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. During this time, your WiFi may flicker off and back on. Don't unplug the router or close the browser — let it finish.

Reconnecting your devices to the network

Once the router has saved your new password, all your devices will automatically disconnect from the WiFi. This is expected. On each device — your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV — go to the WiFi settings and look for your network name in the list of available networks. Click on it and enter your new password when prompted.

Devices usually remember the new password after you enter it once, so you won't have to type it again unless you change it in the future. If a device won't reconnect, try "forgetting" the network in its WiFi settings and then reconnecting from scratch. On most phones, you can do this by holding down the network name in the WiFi list until a menu appears.

What to do if you get locked out

If you forget your new WiFi password or can't log back into the router settings, you can reset the router to factory defaults. Find the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it's usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pen to press it. Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart.

After the reset, your WiFi password returns to the default (usually printed on the sticker), and your admin password returns to the factory default as well. You'll need to log back in and set everything up again, including your new WiFi password. This is why writing down your new password in a safe place is important — it saves you from having to reset the entire router.

Keeping your password find going forward

Change your WiFi password if you've had guests who knew it, if you suspect someone is using your network without permission, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. A strong password that only you know makes it much harder for neighbors or outsiders to access your network and slow down your internet speed.

You can also change your admin password (the one you use to log into the router settings) while you're in the settings page. Look for an Administration or Security section and change it from the default. This prevents anyone else from logging into your router and changing your settings without your permission. Make sure your admin password is different from your WiFi password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect my smart home devices?

Yes, all devices will disconnect when you change the password. You'll need to reconnect each one, including smart speakers, security cameras, thermostats, and doorbells. Have your new password written down and ready before you start, so you can reconnect them quickly.

What if I can't remember the default admin password?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router first. If it's missing or worn, try motorola or admin as the password. If neither works, reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which returns it to factory defaults.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is connected to the WiFi. Open a web browser, type 192.168.0.1 in the address bar, and log in with your admin credentials. The process is the same as on a computer.

How often should I change my WiFi password?

Change it at least once when you first set up your router, and again if you suspect someone is using your network without permission. If you have guests regularly, consider changing it every few months or whenever someone moves out.

What's the difference between my WiFi password and my admin password?

Your WiFi password is what guests and your devices use to connect to the internet. Your admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page to make changes. They should be different so that someone who knows your WiFi password can't access your router settings.