Access your modem's settings page through a web browser
Your modem has a built-in settings page you reach by typing an address into any web browser on a device connected to your network. Open Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, then type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.100.1 into the address bar and press Enter. One of these will load your modem's login screen.
If neither address works, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your modem — it will show the correct address, usually labeled "Gateway" or "Admin URL". Some modems use a web address like mymodem.local instead of numbers. The sticker also lists the default username and password you'll need to log in for the first time.
You may see a security warning saying the connection is not private. This is normal for modem settings pages. Click "Advanced" or "Proceed anyway" to continue — you are connecting to your own device, not the internet.
Log in with the default username and password
When the login page appears, enter the username and password from your modem's sticker. Most modems use admin as the username and admin or motorola as the password, but yours may differ. Type both carefully and click the login button.
If the default credentials do not work, your modem may have been changed already. Check any paperwork from your internet provider — they sometimes send the login details in a welcome packet. If you cannot find them, contact your provider's support line with your account number and modem model, and they can reset the modem to factory defaults or provide the current credentials.
Key Takeaways
- You reach your modem settings by typing 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.100.1 into a web browser on any device connected to your network.
- The default username and password are printed on a sticker attached to your modem, usually on the back or bottom.
- Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Advanced", "Administration", "Settings", or "Password" — the exact name varies by modem brand.
- Change both the Wi-Fi password and the admin password so someone cannot log back into your settings later.
- Write down your new passwords in a safe place, because you will need the admin password if you ever need to access these settings again.
Find the password settings in your modem's menu
After you log in, you will see a dashboard or menu with several options. Look for a section called Advanced, Administration, Settings, or Wireless — different modem brands organize this differently. Some modems have a tab at the top; others have a menu on the left side. Click on the section that mentions passwords, Wi-Fi settings, or security.
If you cannot find it, look for a gear icon or a section labeled "System Settings" or "Device Settings". Once you are in the right area, you should see fields for the Wi-Fi password (sometimes called the "Network Key" or "Passphrase") and the admin password (the one you use to log into this page). These are two separate passwords and you should change both.
Change the Wi-Fi password first
Find the field labeled Wi-Fi Password, Network Key, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key. Clear the current password and type a new one. Make it at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like BlueSky#2024Home is stronger than password123.
Write this password down before you click save, because you will need it to reconnect all your devices to Wi-Fi after the change takes effect. Your phone, laptop, smart TV, and any other connected devices will lose their connection and ask for the new password when you reconnect them.
Change the admin password second
Look for a field labeled Admin Password, Device Password, or Management Password. This is the password you use to log into this settings page — it is separate from your Wi-Fi password. Clear the current password and type a new one. Use a strong password here too, since this controls access to your entire modem.
This password does not affect your Wi-Fi connection or your devices. It only controls who can log into the modem's settings page. Store it somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked notes file, or written down in a find place — because you will need it if you ever need to change settings again.
Save your changes and reconnect your devices
After you enter both new passwords, look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK. Click it. Your modem will restart, which usually takes one to three minutes. During this time, your internet will go down briefly and all your devices will disconnect from Wi-Fi.
Once the modem restarts and the lights stabilize, reconnect each device to Wi-Fi. When you select your network name, you will be prompted for the new Wi-Fi password you just created. Enter it on your phone, laptop, tablet, and any other devices. The admin password change does not affect this step — only the Wi-Fi password matters when reconnecting devices.
What to do if you get stuck
If you cannot reach the settings page, make sure you are connected to the modem's Wi-Fi or plugged in with an ethernet cable. If you typed the address correctly and still see an error, try clearing your browser's cache: press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select "All time", and click "Clear data".
If you forgot the new admin password and need to access settings again, you can reset the modem to factory defaults by holding down the reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your changes and returns the modem to its original state, so you will need to set everything up again. Contact your internet provider first — they may be able to help without a full reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change both passwords?
You should change both. The Wi-Fi password controls who connects to your network; the admin password controls who can change your modem settings. Changing only the Wi-Fi password leaves your settings page open to anyone who knows the default admin password, which is public information.
What if I change the password and forget it?
For the Wi-Fi password, you can log back into the modem settings page with the admin password and view or change it again. For the admin password, your only option is to reset the modem to factory defaults using the reset button, which wipes all your changes. Write down both passwords before you save.
Will changing the password disconnect my devices?
Changing the Wi-Fi password will disconnect all devices and require you to reconnect with the new password. Changing only the admin password does not affect your devices or your internet connection — only the settings page login changes.
Can my internet provider see my modem password?
Your provider cannot see the password you set. They can reset your modem remotely if needed, which returns it to factory defaults, but they cannot view or change the password you created without your permission.
Why does my modem keep asking for the password after I change it?
Make sure the modem finished restarting before you reconnected devices — this usually takes one to three minutes and you will see the lights stabilize. If a device keeps asking for the password, "forget" the network in your device settings and reconnect from scratch, typing the new password carefully.