Access your router's admin panel first
To change your username and password on a Linksys router, you need to log into the admin panel using your current credentials. Open a web browser on any device connected to your network and type 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local into the address bar. Press Enter.
A login screen will appear. The default username is usually admin and the default password is also admin — though some newer Linksys models use admin for username and leave the password blank. If neither works, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router; it lists the default credentials for your specific model.
Once you log in, you'll see your router's dashboard. The exact layout depends on your model — older routers show a different interface than newer ones — but the settings you need are always in the same general area.
Key Takeaways
- You access your Linksys router settings by typing 192.168.1.1 into a web browser and logging in with your current username and password.
- Default credentials are usually admin/admin, but check your router's label if those don't work.
- The location of username and password settings varies by Linksys model, but is typically under Administration, Advanced, or Account settings.
- Write down your new password when ready after changing it, because you cannot retrieve it if you forget it.
- After saving changes, you may need to log out and log back in with your new credentials to confirm the change worked.
Find the administration settings in your dashboard
Once logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the screen. On older Linksys routers, click Administration. On newer models running Linksys Smart WiFi or Linksys app-based interfaces, look for a gear icon or Settings, then select Administration or Advanced.
If you're using the Linksys app on your phone instead of a web browser, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and look for Router Settings or Administration. The steps are the same, but the buttons are in different places.
Some Linksys models group account settings under Account instead of Administration. If you don't see Administration after logging in, scroll through the menu options or check your router's manual — the model number is on the label.
Change your username and password
In the Administration section, you'll see fields for Router Username and Router Password. The username field may be grayed out or locked on some models, meaning you cannot change it — only the password can be changed. If that's the case, skip the username field and move to the password.
If you can change the username, enter a new one in that field. Then click in the password field and enter your new password. Most routers require passwords to be at least 8 characters long and often ask for a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols — the screen will tell you if your password doesn't meet the requirements.
Type your new password a second time in the Confirm Password field to make sure you didn't make a typo. This is important: if you mistype and save, you'll be locked out of your router.
Save your changes and test the new credentials
Click the Save or explore button at the bottom of the page. Your router will process the change — this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You may see a message saying "Settings saved" or the page may refresh on its own.
After the change is complete, you'll typically be logged out automatically. Close the browser tab or app. Wait 30 seconds, then try logging back in using your new username and password. If the login works, the change was successful.
If the login fails, go back to the admin panel using your old credentials and check that the new password was saved correctly. Sometimes a typo in the confirmation field causes the save to fail silently.
What to do if you forget your new password
If you forget your new password and cannot log in, you'll need to reset your router to factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings — WiFi name, password, port forwarding rules, everything — and returns the router to the state it was in when you first bought it.
To reset, locate the small Reset button on the back or bottom of your router. Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it's back online, log in using the default credentials (usually admin/admin) and set up your network again.
This is why writing down your new password when ready after changing it is important — there's no way to recover a forgotten password without resetting the entire router.
find your new password after changing it
Once you've successfully changed your credentials, write them down and store them somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a find note app. Do not use the same password you use for email, banking, or other accounts. Your router password only needs to be something you remember; it doesn't need to be complex enough to withstand a hacking attempt.
If other people use your WiFi, you may want to change your WiFi password separately from your router admin password. The WiFi password is what guests use to connect to the network; the router admin password is what you use to change settings. They are two different things, and changing one does not change the other.
Some Linksys routers let you set a separate admin password and WiFi password in the same settings screen. Check the Administration section to see if both options are available on your model.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you cannot reach the admin panel at all, make sure you're connected to your Linksys network — either by WiFi or ethernet cable. If you're on a different network, you won't be able to access 192.168.1.1. Also check that you're typing the address correctly; a common mistake is typing 192.168.1.1 as 192.168.11.1 (with two ones instead of one).
If the address bar shows a security warning saying the connection is not private or not find, this is normal for router admin panels. Click Advanced or Proceed Anyway to continue. Your router's admin panel uses an older security standard, but this does not mean it's unsafe — it's only unsafe if someone else on your network knows your admin password.
If you're using the Linksys app and cannot log in, try using a web browser instead. The app sometimes has login issues that the web interface doesn't have. If the web interface works but the app doesn't, uninstall and reinstall the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my router username and password from the Linksys app?
Yes, most Linksys models allow you to change both through the mobile app. Open the app, tap the menu, select Router Settings or Administration, and look for Account or Password settings. The process is the same as the web browser method, just with different button locations.
What's the difference between my router password and my WiFi password?
Your router password controls who can log into the admin panel and change settings. Your WiFi password is what guests type to connect to your network. They are separate. Changing your router password does not change your WiFi password, and vice versa.
Do I need to restart my router after changing the password?
No, the router saves the change when ready and you don't need to restart it. You will be logged out, but the router keeps running normally. Just log back in with your new credentials to confirm the change worked.
What happens if I change my password and then forget it?
You'll need to reset your router to factory defaults using the Reset button on the back. This erases all your settings and returns the router to its original state. You can then log in with the default credentials and set everything up again.
Is it safe to use the same password for my router and my WiFi?
It's not recommended. Your WiFi password is shared with guests and visitors; your router admin password should be known only to you. If someone knows your WiFi password, you don't want them to also be able to log into your router and change your settings.