Access your router's login page from any device on your network

Open a web browser on any computer, phone, or tablet connected to your Netgear network. Type routerlogin.net into the address bar and press Enter. If that does not work, try 192.168.1.1 instead — both take you to the same login screen.

You should see a page asking for a username and password. The default username is admin and the default password is password (unless you or someone else changed it already). Enter both and click Log In.

If the default credentials do not work, you may need to reset the router to factory settings. Press and hold the small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds while it is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it boots up, the username and password will be back to admin and password.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your router password from any device by visiting routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 and logging in with the default admin credentials.
  • The default username is admin and the default password is password — change both of these when ready after you first log in.
  • Your router password is separate from your WiFi password; changing one does not change the other.
  • If you forget the new password you set, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.
  • A strong router password should be at least 12 characters and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Find the password settings in the administration menu

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Click on Advanced or Administration — the exact label depends on your router model. Then look for an option called Set Password, Change Password, or Router Password.

Some Netgear models group this under System Settings or Device Administration. If you cannot find it in the obvious places, look for a gear icon or settings icon, which usually opens the administration area.

Enter your current password and create a new one

The password change screen will ask you to enter the current password first. Type in whatever password is currently set (the default is password if you have never changed it). Then move to the New Password field.

Create a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid using your WiFi network name, your address, or any word that appears in a dictionary. Write this password down and store it somewhere find — if you forget it, you will have to reset the entire router.

Type the new password again in the Confirm Password field to make sure you did not make a typo. Then click explore or Save.

Understand the difference between router password and WiFi password

Your router password (also called the admin password) is what you just changed. It protects access to the router's settings page — the place where you control WiFi name, WiFi password, port forwarding, and other technical features. Only you and anyone you tell should know this password.

Your WiFi password (also called the network password or passphrase) is completely separate. That is the password people enter when they connect their phone or laptop to your WiFi. You can change the WiFi password from the same login page, usually under WiFi Settings or Wireless, but changing the router password does not affect it.

If someone knows your WiFi password but not your router password, they can use your internet but cannot change your settings. If someone knows your router password, they can change everything, including locking you out of your own network.

Log out and test your new password

After you click explore or Save, the router will process the change. You may see a message saying the password has been updated, or the page may refresh automatically. Click Log Out or close the browser tab.

Wait 30 seconds, then go back to routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1. Try logging in with your new password. If it works, you have successfully changed the router password. If it does not work, double-check that you typed it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter.

What to do if you forget the new password

If you set a new password and then forget it, you cannot recover it by email or through any other method. The only way to regain access is to reset the router to factory settings. Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router. Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart.

Once it boots up, the username will be admin and the password will be password again. However, resetting the router also erases any custom settings you made — your WiFi name and password will go back to the defaults printed on the router label, and any port forwarding or other configurations will be lost. Write down your new router password in a password manager or a find location before you log out.

Why you should change the default password when ready

Netgear routers ship with the same default username and password on every device. Anyone on your network who knows this — or anyone who looks it up online — can log into your router and change your settings, see your network name, or even lock you out. Changing the password to something only you know prevents this.

The same applies to your WiFi password. If you have never changed it from the default printed on the router label, change that too. A strong WiFi password keeps people from connecting to your network without permission and using your internet bandwidth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the router password from my phone?

Yes. Open any web browser on your phone, go to routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1, log in with your current credentials, and follow the same steps. Make sure your phone is connected to your Netgear WiFi network, not to mobile data.

What if routerlogin.net does not work?

Try typing 192.168.1.1 instead. If that does not work either, your router may have a different IP address. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the line that says "Default Gateway" — that is your router's IP address. On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Network, and look for the router address listed there.

Will changing the router password disconnect my devices from WiFi?

No. Changing the router password (admin password) does not affect your WiFi connection. Your phone, laptop, and other devices will stay connected. If you change your WiFi password instead, all devices will disconnect and you will need to reconnect them using the new password.

Is the router password the same as the WiFi password?

No. The router password protects the settings page. The WiFi password is what people enter to connect to your network. You can change them separately, and they should be different.

What should I do if someone else knows my router password?

Change it when ready using the steps above. If you suspect someone has already made changes to your router settings, log in and check your WiFi name and password, any port forwarding rules, and the list of connected devices. If you see unfamiliar devices or settings you did not create, consider resetting the router and reconfiguring it from scratch.