How to Change Your AT&T Router Password in Five Steps

The fastest way to change your router password

You can change your AT&T router password by logging into the router's admin panel through your web browser, then navigating to the wireless settings and entering a new password. The whole process takes about five minutes. You will need to know your current admin username and password — if you have never changed these, they are printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router.

After you change the password, all your devices will disconnect from the Wi-Fi. You will need to reconnect each one using the new password. Your internet connection itself does not go down, but wireless devices will lose access until you re-enter the new credentials.

Key Takeaways

The default admin username for most AT&T routers is admin, and the default password is printed on the router's label if you have never changed it.
You log in through your web browser by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, not through an app.
After you change the Wi-Fi password, every device on your network will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect.
If you forget the new password you just set, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which erases all your custom settings.

Step-by-step: changing the password on your AT&T router

Open any web browser on a device connected to your AT&T Wi-Fi network. Type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar and press Enter. If that does not load, try 192.168.0.1 instead — different AT&T router models use different addresses.

When the login page appears, enter your admin username and password. The default username is admin. The default password is on the sticker attached to the back or bottom of your router — it is usually labeled Password or Admin Password. If you have already changed the admin password in the past and do not remember it, you will need to reset the router (see the section below on factory reset).

Once you are logged in, look for a menu option labeled Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Network. Click it. You should see a field labeled Wireless Password, Pre-Shared Key, or Passphrase — this is the password people use to connect to your Wi-Fi, not the admin password.

Clear the existing password and type your new one. AT&T routers typically require passwords to be at least 8 characters long and accept letters, numbers, and some special characters. Write down the new password before you save it. Click Save or explore. The router will restart, which takes about one to two minutes.

What happens to your devices after you change the password

Every device currently connected to your Wi-Fi will lose its connection when the router restarts. Phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers, and any other wireless devices will show that the network is no longer available. This is normal and expected.

To reconnect each device, open its Wi-Fi settings, select your AT&T network name from the list, and enter the new password. Devices will remember the new password after the first time you enter it, so you will not need to re-enter it every time you turn the device on.

If you forgot the admin password and cannot log in

If you have changed the admin password in the past and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to its factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings, including the Wi-Fi password you just changed, and returns everything to the state it was in when you first got the router.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router. Using a paperclip or the tip of a pen, press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink, and the router will restart. Once it finishes restarting, the admin username will be admin and the password will be the one printed on the sticker again.

After the reset, you will need to set up your Wi-Fi password again from scratch. You will also lose any other settings you customized, such as port forwarding or parental controls.

Why you should change your router password regularly

Your Wi-Fi password is the main barrier between your home network and anyone nearby who wants to connect to it. If someone connects to your network without permission, they can see the traffic from your devices, use your internet bandwidth, or potentially access files you are sharing on your home network.

Changing the password every few months, or whenever someone moves out of your home, reduces the risk that an old password is still in use by someone who no longer should have access. It is also a good idea to change the password if you suspect someone has connected without permission — for example, if your internet speed suddenly drops or you see unfamiliar device names in your router's connected devices list.

The difference between Wi-Fi password and admin password

Your Wi-Fi password is what guests and family members use to connect their phones and laptops to your internet. Your admin password is what you use to log into the router itself and change settings. They are two separate passwords, and changing one does not change the other.

Most people only need to change the Wi-Fi password. You should change the admin password only if you are concerned that someone else knows it, or if you want to prevent someone in your household from accessing the router settings. The default admin password is the same across many AT&T routers, so if security is a concern, changing it is worth doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my router password from my phone?

Yes. Open a web browser on your phone, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in the same way you would on a computer. Your phone must be connected to the AT&T Wi-Fi network to access the router's admin panel.

What if I type 192.168.1.1 and nothing loads?

Try 192.168.0.1 instead — different AT&T router models use different addresses. If neither works, make sure you are connected to the AT&T Wi-Fi network, not a different network. You can also check the sticker on the router itself; some models print the correct address there.

Do I need to unplug the router to change the password?

No. You change the password through the admin panel while the router is powered on and running. The router will restart on its own after you save the new password, but you do not need to unplug it.

Will changing the password disconnect my internet?

Your internet connection itself will not go down. However, wireless devices will disconnect from Wi-Fi during the restart and will need to reconnect using the new password. Devices connected by ethernet cable will stay connected.

What should I do if I reset the router by accident?

The router will return to factory defaults, and you will need to set up your Wi-Fi password again. Log back into the admin panel using the default credentials (admin / the password on the sticker), navigate to wireless settings, and create a new Wi-Fi password. Any custom settings you had before the reset will be lost.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.