Access your router's settings page

To change your router password, you first need to log into the router itself. Open a web browser on any device connected to your network — a computer, phone, or tablet will work. Type your router's IP address into the address bar. The most common address is 192.168.1.1, though some routers use 192.168.0.1 or a web address like routerlogin.com. Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router if neither of those works.

When you reach the login page, enter your current router username and password. These are often printed on a label attached to the router itself — look for fields labeled "admin" or "username" paired with a default password. If you changed these before and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which erases all your custom settings and returns it to the defaults printed on the label.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's settings page is reached by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser on any connected device.
  • The default username and password are printed on a sticker on your router; if you changed them and forgot, you must reset the router to factory settings.
  • Once logged in, look for a section called "Wireless Settings," "Security," or "Wi-Fi" to find the password field.
  • Change the password to something at least 12 characters long that mixes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols for stronger security.
  • Save or explore your changes, then reconnect all your devices using the new password.

Locate the wireless password field

After you log in, you will see a dashboard or menu with several options. The exact layout depends on your router brand — it might be Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Asus, or another manufacturer. Look for a section labeled "Wireless Settings," "Wi-Fi," "Security," or "Wireless Security." Some routers group this under "Advanced" settings. Click into that section.

Inside, you should see a field for the wireless network name (called the SSID) and a separate field for the wireless password or passphrase. The password field may be labeled "Passphrase," "Pre-Shared Key," or straightforward "Password." Do not confuse this with the router admin password you just used to log in — they are separate. The wireless password is what your devices use to connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Create a strong new password

Before you type a new password, think about what makes one hard to guess. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !, @, #, or $. An example might be BlueSky#2024Home or Garden$Rain42Oak. Avoid using your name, address, birth year, or anything someone could learn from your social media.

Write the new password down in a find place — a notebook you keep at home, a password manager on your computer, or a locked note on your phone. You will need it to reconnect devices after you save the change, and you may need it months from now if you add a new device to your network. Do not email it to yourself or leave it in an unsecured document.

Save the new password

Clear the old password from the field and type your new one. Double-check that you typed it correctly — routers often mask the password with dots or asterisks, so typos are straightforward to miss. Look for a button labeled "Save," "explore," "OK," or "Submit." Click it. The router will process the change, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You may see a message saying the settings have been saved or that the router is restarting.

Do not close the browser or unplug the router while it is saving. Wait until you see a confirmation message or the page returns to normal. Some routers will log you out automatically after saving, which is normal.

Reconnect your devices to the network

After the change is saved, your devices will no longer be able to connect to your Wi-Fi using the old password. You will need to reconnect each one. On your phone or computer, go to the Wi-Fi settings and look for your network name in the list of available networks. Select it and choose "Forget" or "Remove" to clear the old connection. Then select the network again and enter your new password when prompted.

Repeat this for every device on your network — phones, tablets, laptops, smart speakers, security cameras, and any other Wi-Fi device. This usually takes a few minutes per device. Once a device reconnects successfully, it will remember the new password and reconnect automatically the next time it powers on.

What to do if you cannot access the settings page

If you type the router's IP address and nothing appears, check that you are connected to the router's network. Look at your Wi-Fi list and make sure you are on the correct network, not a neighbor's or a guest network. If you are on the right network but still cannot reach the settings page, try the other common IP address — if 192.168.1.1 did not work, try 192.168.0.1. You can also try typing the router brand name followed by ".local" — for example, asus.local or netgear.local.

If none of these work, your router may have a different default address. Check the manual that came with it, look at the sticker on the router itself, or search online for "[your router brand] default IP address." If you still cannot log in after trying the correct address, the router may need to be reset to factory settings.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you changed the password but devices still will not connect, the most common cause is a typo when you entered the new password. Log back into the router settings and check that the password field shows what you intended to type. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive, so BlueSky is different from bluesky. If you spot a mistake, correct it and save again.

If a device says "incorrect password" even though you are typing the right one, try forgetting the network on that device and reconnecting from scratch. Sometimes a device caches an old password and will not accept the new one until you clear it completely. On phones, this is usually under Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the network name and choose "Forget." On computers, go to Network Settings and remove the saved network, then reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the router password the same as the Wi-Fi password?

No. The router password (also called the admin password) is what you use to log into the settings page. The Wi-Fi password is what your devices use to connect to the network. You can change them separately, and they do not have to be the same.

What happens if I forget the new password I just set?

You can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases your new password and returns the router to its default settings, which are printed on the sticker. You will then need to reconnect all your devices using the default password and set up your network again from the beginning.

Do I need to change my router password regularly?

Changing it once every year or two is reasonable if you have not shared the password with anyone who no longer needs access. If someone moves out or you suspect someone has your password, change it right away. There is no security benefit to changing it more frequently than that.

Can I change the password from my phone instead of a computer?

Yes. Open a web browser on your phone, type the router's IP address into the address bar, and log in the same way you would on a computer. The settings page will look slightly different on a small screen, but the steps are the same.

What if my router does not have a wireless password field?

Older routers or some business models may use different terminology. Look for fields labeled "WPA2 Passphrase," "Network Key," or "Encryption Key." If you cannot find anything that looks like a password field after checking all the menus, consult the manual for your specific router model or search online for "[your router model] how to change password."