Access your router's admin page first

To change your Linksys router password, you need to log into the router's control panel using a web browser on any device connected to that network. Open a browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — and type myrouter.local or 192.168.1.1 into the address bar. Press Enter.

A login page will appear. If you have never changed the password before, the default username is admin and the default password is admin. Enter both and click the login button. If the default credentials do not work, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — Linksys sometimes prints the default password there.

Once you are logged in, you will see a dashboard with tabs or a menu on the left side. The exact layout depends on your router model, but you are looking for a section called Administration, Advanced, or Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach your Linksys router by typing myrouter.local or 192.168.1.1 into a web browser on a device already connected to the network.
  • The default login is usually admin / admin, but check the sticker on your router if that does not work.
  • Once logged in, look for Administration or Advanced settings to find the password change option.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols for security.
  • After you save the new password, you will be logged out and must log back in with the new credentials.

Find the password change option in Administration settings

Click on the Administration tab or menu item. On most Linksys models, this is where password settings live. You should see options like "Management", "Router Password", or "Admin Password" — the exact wording varies by model.

Look for a field labeled New Password or Router Password. Some routers show two fields: one for the new password and one to confirm it. Do not confuse this with Wi-Fi password settings, which are usually in a separate section called Wireless or Wi-Fi.

If you cannot find an Administration section, try the Advanced tab instead. On newer Linksys models, password settings sometimes live under Advanced > Administration or Advanced > System Settings.

Enter and confirm your new password

Click in the password field and type your new password. Make it at least 8 characters long and mix in uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or # — this makes it much harder to guess. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.

If there is a "Confirm Password" field below, type the same password again. This catches typos before you save. Double-check that both fields match exactly, because if they do not, the router will reject the change.

Do not use a password that is the same as your Wi-Fi password. They serve different purposes — the router password protects the settings, and the Wi-Fi password protects your network from outsiders. Keeping them separate means a guest who knows your Wi-Fi password cannot change your router settings.

Save the change and log back in

Look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will process the change, and you will usually see a message saying the password has been updated.

The page will log you out automatically. You are now back at the login screen. Type admin in the username field and your new password in the password field, then click login. If the new credentials work, the password change is complete.

If you cannot log in with the new password, wait 30 seconds and try again — sometimes the router needs a moment to finish saving. If it still does not work, you may have made a typo. Check that Caps Lock is off and try once more.

What to do if you forget the new password

If you forget the password you just set, you will need to reset the router to factory defaults. On the back or bottom of the router, there is a small hole labeled Reset. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink, and the router will restart.

After the restart, the router will be back to its original state. The default username and password will be admin and admin again. You can then log in and set a new password. This process erases all your custom settings, so you will need to reconfigure your Wi-Fi network name and password afterward.

Changing your Wi-Fi password is separate

The router password and the Wi-Fi password are two different things. The router password protects access to the settings page you just used. The Wi-Fi password is what guests and devices use to connect to your network.

If you want to change your Wi-Fi password instead, look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Network in the router's control panel. You will find fields for the network name (SSID) and the password. Change the password there, save, and all your devices will be disconnected. You will need to reconnect them using the new Wi-Fi password.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot reach myrouter.local?

Try typing 192.168.1.1 instead. If that does not work either, make sure your device is connected to the Linksys network — either by Wi-Fi or ethernet cable. If you are on a different network, you cannot reach the router. Restart your device and try again.

Can I change the password from my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is connected to the Linksys Wi-Fi network. Open any web browser, type myrouter.local or 192.168.1.1, and follow the same steps. The process is identical on phones and computers.

Do I need to restart the router after changing the password?

No. The router saves the new password when ready and does not need to restart. You will be logged out, but that is normal. Log back in with your new password and you are done.

Will changing the router password disconnect my devices?

No. Changing the router password only affects who can access the settings page. Your devices will stay connected to the Wi-Fi. They will not notice the change at all.

What if the default password does not work?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — Linksys sometimes prints a different default password there. If that does not work, you will need to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button, which will erase all settings and return it to admin / admin.