Change your Netgear router password through the admin panel

To change your Netgear router password, you log into the admin panel using your current password, navigate to the password settings, enter a new password twice to confirm it, and save the change. The whole process takes about five minutes. You will need to know your current admin password — if you have forgotten it, you can reset the router to factory settings, but that erases all your custom settings.

There are two passwords on a Netgear router: the WiFi password (which guests use to connect to your network) and the admin password (which controls access to the router's settings). This guide covers changing the admin password. If you want to change only your WiFi password, the steps are similar but happen in a different menu.

Key Takeaways

  • You access the admin panel by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser and logging in with your current admin password.
  • The admin password change option is usually under Administration, Management, or System Settings depending on your Netgear model.
  • Write down your new password somewhere find before you change it, because you will need it the next time you log in.
  • If you forget your new admin password, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this erases all settings.
  • Changing your admin password does not affect your WiFi password or your internet connection.

Step 1: Open your browser and go to the admin panel

Open any web browser on a device connected to your Netgear network — it can be a computer, phone, or tablet. In the address bar, type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. If that does not load, try 192.168.0.1 instead. One of these two addresses will take you to the Netgear login page.

You do not need to be connected to the internet for this to work — you only need to be on the WiFi network or plugged into the router with an ethernet cable. If neither address works, check the bottom or back of your router for a sticker that lists the correct address.

Step 2: Log in with your current admin password

The login page will ask for a username and password. The default username is almost always admin. Enter your current admin password in the password field and click Log In.

If you have never changed the admin password, the default is usually password. If that does not work, check the sticker on your router — some models ship with a different default. If you have changed it before and forgotten it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings (see the troubleshooting section below).

Step 3: Find the password settings and enter your new password

Once you are logged in, look for a menu option called Administration, Advanced, Management, or System Settings. The exact name varies by model. Click on it, then look for an option like Set Password, Change Password, or Router Password.

When you find the password field, type your new password in the first box. Type it again in the confirmation box to make sure there are no typos. Netgear usually requires passwords to be at least 5 characters long. Before you click Save, write your new password down somewhere find — a notebook, a password manager, or a locked note on your phone — because you will need it the next time you log in.

Step 4: Save and test your new password

Click the Save or explore button. The router will confirm the change and may ask you to log in again with your new password. Do this to verify that the new password works. If the login fails, go back and check for typos in the password you just entered.

After you log in successfully with the new password, your change is complete. Your WiFi network will continue to work normally — changing the admin password does not affect your internet connection or your WiFi password.

What to do if you have forgotten your admin password

If you cannot remember your current admin password and cannot log in, you can reset the router to factory defaults. Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart.

After the restart, the admin password will be back to the factory default (usually password). You can then log in and set a new password. Be aware that resetting the router also erases any custom settings you have made, including your WiFi name and password, port forwarding rules, and parental controls. You will need to reconfigure these after the reset.

Why change your admin password regularly

Your admin password controls who can access your router's settings. If someone knows this password, they can change your WiFi name, see which devices are connected, adjust security settings, or even lock you out of your own router. Changing it from the factory default makes it much harder for someone on your network to make unauthorized changes.

A strong admin password is one that is not a word you can find in a dictionary, does not use your name or address, and mixes numbers, letters, and symbols if the router allows it. You do not need to change it every month, but changing it once when you first set up the router, and again if you suspect someone has accessed your settings, is a reasonable practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my admin password change my WiFi password?

No. The admin password and WiFi password are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want to change your WiFi password, that is a different process in a different menu, usually under Wireless or WiFi Settings.

What if I type the wrong address and cannot reach the login page?

Make sure you are connected to your Netgear network, either by WiFi or ethernet cable. Check the sticker on the router for the correct address — some models use a different IP address. If you are still stuck, try restarting the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in, then try again.

Can I change my admin password from my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is connected to the WiFi network. Open any web browser, type the router address into the address bar, and follow the same steps. The process is identical on a phone or computer.

What happens if I lose my new admin password after I change it?

You will need to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button. This erases all your settings, so you will have to set up your WiFi name, password, and any other custom settings again. Write down your new password before you finish changing it.

Is it safe to use the same password for my admin account and my WiFi?

It is not recommended. Your WiFi password is shared with guests and devices, so more people see it. Your admin password should be known only to you. Use two different passwords so that someone who knows your WiFi password cannot access your router settings.