Access your router's settings page

To change your router password, you first need to log into the router itself through a web browser on any device connected to your network. Open a browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — and type your router's IP address into the address bar. The most common address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router; it will list the correct address.

When you reach the login page, you will see two fields asking for a username and password. The default username is usually admin, and the default password is often admin, password, or 12345 — again, check your router's sticker if these do not work. Once you log in, you are inside your router's control panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) goes in the browser address bar, not a search engine, to reach the login page.
  • Default login credentials are printed on a sticker attached to your router; do not guess if the common defaults do not work.
  • The password you change is the Wi-Fi password people use to connect to your network, not the admin password for the router itself — though you can change both.
  • After you change the password, all devices currently connected will stay connected, but new devices will need the new password to join.
  • Write down your new password somewhere safe before you log out, because you will need it to reconnect devices later.

Locate the wireless or Wi-Fi settings section

Once logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the section labeled Wireless, Wi-Fi, Network, or sometimes Security. Different router brands use different names — a Netgear router might say "Wireless Settings," while a TP-Link might say "Wireless" and a Linksys might say "Wi-Fi." Click on that section.

You should now see a page with fields for your network name (called the SSID) and your password. The password field may show dots or asterisks instead of the actual characters. This is the Wi-Fi password that people use when they connect their phones, laptops, and tablets to your network — the one you want to change.

Change the password field

Click in the password field and clear whatever is there. Type your new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #) if the router allows them. Avoid using your name, address, or obvious words that someone could guess.

Some routers show a checkbox that says "Show password" — checking it lets you see what you are typing instead of dots. This can help you catch typos. Take your time and type carefully, because a wrong character means devices will not be able to connect later.

Save your changes

Look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will process the change, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You may see a message saying the settings are being applied, or the page may briefly go blank. Do not close the browser or unplug the router during this time.

Once the page returns to normal, your new password is active. The router itself stays on and working the whole time — you are not restarting it, just changing one setting.

Reconnect your devices with the new password

Any device currently connected to your Wi-Fi will stay connected for now, but the next time it disconnects or you restart it, it will need the new password. Go to each device — phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV — and forget the old network. On most phones, this means going to Settings, then Wi-Fi, finding your network name, and tapping "Forget." On a computer, do the same through your network settings.

Then reconnect by selecting your network name and entering the new password. Write the password down on paper and keep it somewhere safe — a drawer, a notebook, or a password manager — so you do not lose it. If you forget it later, you can always log back into the router and check or change it again.

If you cannot log in to the router

If the default username and password do not work, the router may have been changed by a previous owner or user. Look for a small reset button (usually recessed, requiring a paperclip to press) on the back of the router. Holding it for 10 to 15 seconds will reset the router to factory defaults, erasing any custom settings. After a reset, use the default credentials from the sticker and start over.

If you reset the router, you will lose any other custom settings you had — like a custom network name or port forwarding rules — so only do this if you are certain you want to start fresh. After the reset, the router will restart itself, which takes a minute or two.

Changing the admin password separately

The password you just changed is your Wi-Fi password — what guests and your devices use to connect. Your router also has an admin password, which is what you used to log into the settings page itself. You can change this too if you want, though most home users do not need to. If you do want to change it, look for a section called Administration, System Settings, or Account in the router menu, find the password field there, and follow the same steps.

To change the admin password, click into that field, clear it, and type your new admin password. Make it different from your Wi-Fi password so that if someone learns one, they do not have both. Save the change the same way you saved the Wi-Fi password change, using the Save or explore button. Write down your new admin password as well, since you will need it if you ever need to log back into the router settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The router applies the change automatically and keeps running. You only need to restart devices that were already connected so they can reconnect with the new password. The router itself does not need to restart.

What if I forget the new password I just set?

Log back into the router using the same IP address and admin credentials, go to the wireless settings, and you can see or change the password again. If you also forgot the admin password, reset the router to factory defaults using the recessed reset button, then set everything up again from scratch.

Will changing the password kick everyone off the Wi-Fi?

No. Devices that are already connected will stay connected. They will only need the new password the next time they disconnect and try to reconnect, or if you restart them. This gives you time to update each device before they lose access.

Can I use any characters in my password, or are there limits?

Most routers accept letters, numbers, and common symbols like !, @, #, and $. Some older routers only accept letters and numbers. If you type a character and it does not appear, that router does not support it — try a different one. Stick to common symbols to be safe.

Should I change my password regularly?

There is no strict rule, but changing it once a year or whenever someone moves out is reasonable. If you suspect someone has your password or you notice unfamiliar devices on your network, change it right away. Otherwise, once a year is enough for most home networks.