Check the sticker on your router first

The easiest place to find your router password is on a sticker attached to the device itself. Most routers have a label on the bottom or back that lists the default password — often called the "Wi-Fi password" or "Network Key" — along with the network name (SSID). The sticker usually shows both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names if your router broadcasts both bands.

If the sticker is still there and readable, write down the password exactly as shown, including capital letters and numbers. This is the password you use when connecting phones, laptops, or other devices to your Wi-Fi.

The sticker may also show a default login password for accessing the router's settings page — this is different from the Wi-Fi password and is not what you need to connect devices to your network.

Key Takeaways

  • The Wi-Fi password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router if you have never changed it.
  • If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory settings, which erases your custom password and restores the default one from the sticker.
  • Resetting your router will disconnect all devices and erase any custom settings you configured, so only do this if you are ready to reconnect everything.
  • If you cannot find the sticker or do not remember changing the password, logging into your router's admin page through a web browser may show you the current password.

Log into your router's settings page to view the password

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can view your current Wi-Fi password by logging into your router's admin page. Open a web browser on a device connected to your Wi-Fi and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Most home routers use one of these addresses.

When the login page appears, enter the router's admin username and password. For many routers, both are set to admin by default, though some use admin as the username and password as the password. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website if these do not work.

Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Network," or "Security." The Wi-Fi password should be listed there, often under a field called "Passphrase," "Pre-Shared Key," or "Network Key." Write it down exactly as shown.

Reset the router to factory settings if you cannot log in

If you do not remember the admin password for your router's settings page, you can reset the device to its factory defaults. This will erase your custom Wi-Fi password and restore the default password printed on the sticker. Warning: resetting will also erase any custom settings you configured, such as port forwarding or parental controls, and will disconnect all devices from your network.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the router — usually recessed into the case so you cannot press it by accident. With the router powered on, use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights on the front blink or the device restarts. This typically takes one to two minutes.

Once the router finishes restarting, the Wi-Fi password will be back to the default shown on the sticker. You can then reconnect your devices using that password and log into the admin page to set a new custom password if you wish.

Find the router model number to look up the default password

If you have lost the sticker and cannot reset the router, you can look up the default password online using the model number. The model number is usually printed on the sticker as well, or on a label on the back or bottom of the device. It often starts with letters like TP-Link, Netgear, Linksys, or Asus followed by numbers.

Search the internet for "[your router model] default password" — for example, "TP-Link Archer C7 default password." The manufacturer's support page or user manual will show the default credentials. Many manufacturers also list defaults on their website under support or documentation.

If the router has been in use for a while and the password was changed from the default, this method will show you what the password was originally, but not what it is now. In that case, resetting the router is your only option.

Contact your internet service provider if the router is theirs

Some internet service providers (ISPs) provide the router as part of your service rather than you owning it outright. If this is the case, the router may have a custom default password set by your ISP rather than the manufacturer's standard default.

Call your ISP's customer service number — usually on your bill or on their website — and explain that you need the Wi-Fi password for your router. Have your account number ready. They can tell you the current password or reset it for you remotely, which is faster than doing it yourself.

If you own the router but are unsure, check your bill or service agreement. It will say whether the equipment is provided by the ISP or is your own.

Change your password after you find it

Once you have located or reset your password, consider changing it to something you will remember. Log back into your router's admin page using the address and login credentials from earlier, find the Wi-Fi or Wireless settings section, and look for the option to change the passphrase or network key.

Create a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down in a safe place — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a note on your phone — so you do not lose it again.

After you change the password, all your connected devices will disconnect. You will need to reconnect each one using the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Wi-Fi password and the router admin password?

The Wi-Fi password is what you type when connecting your phone or laptop to the network. The admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page to change configurations. They are separate and serve different purposes.

Will resetting my router delete my internet connection?

No. Resetting the router restores it to factory settings but does not affect your internet service. Your ISP connection will still work once the router restarts. You will just need to reconnect your devices to Wi-Fi using the default password.

Can I reset my router if I do not have a paperclip?

Yes. Any thin, pointed object works — a straightened paper clip, a ballpoint pen tip, a thumbtack, or even a toothpick. The goal is to press the recessed reset button firmly for 10 to 15 seconds.

What if 192.168.1.1 does not work when I try to log in?

Try 192.168.0.1 instead. If neither works, check your router's manual or search the model number plus "default gateway" online. Some routers use different addresses. You can also find the correct address by opening your computer's network settings and looking for the "default gateway" listed there.

Is it safe to use the default password from the sticker?

The default password is better than no password, but it is not unique to your router — anyone with the same model can find it online. Change it to a custom password as soon as you can so only people you trust can connect to your network.