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 — the one the manufacturer set before you ever touched it. Look for a line that says "Password," "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or sometimes just "Key." The password may also be printed next to "SSID" (the network name) or under a section labeled "Wireless" or "Security."

If you never changed the password after you first set up your router, this default password is still active. Write down exactly what the sticker says, including capital letters and numbers, because passwords are case-sensitive. If the sticker is worn or missing, you can often find the same information in your router's manual or on the manufacturer's support website by searching for your router model number.

Key Takeaways

  • The default password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router, and this is the fastest place to look first.
  • If you changed your password after setup and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.
  • Resetting a router takes about 10 minutes and requires holding a small reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the device is powered on.
  • After a factory reset, you will need to set up your network again from scratch, including choosing a new password and reconnecting all your devices.

Reset the router if you changed the password and forgot it

If you changed your password after setup and no longer remember it, the only way to recover it is to reset the router to its factory default settings. This erases all your custom settings — your password, your network name, port forwarding rules, and anything else you configured — and returns the router to the state it was in when it left the factory.

To reset your router, locate the small reset button, usually recessed into the device so you cannot press it by accident. You will need a paperclip, pen, or similar thin object to reach it. Power on the router, then hold the reset button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the device is running. The lights on the front will flash or change color. Release the button and wait about two minutes for the router to restart. Once it finishes, the default password from the sticker will be active again.

After the reset, you will need to log into the router's settings page and set up your network from the beginning. This means choosing a new network name, creating a new password, and reconnecting every device — phone, laptop, smart TV, printer — to your network. The process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how many devices you have.

Log in to your router's settings page to see or change the password

Once you know the password, you can log into your router's settings page to view it, change it, or manage other network settings. Open a web browser on a device connected to your network 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, but check your router's manual or the sticker if neither of those works.

You will be asked for a username and password. The username is often "admin" and the password is the one from the sticker (or the default password you just reset to). Once you log in, look for a section called "Wireless," "WiFi," "Security," or "Network Settings." There you will see your current network name and password. You can change the password to something new and easier to remember if you want.

Write down your new password somewhere safe

Once you have set a new password, store it somewhere you can find it later without resetting the router again. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone or computer is the most find option — it stores the password encrypted and fills it in automatically when you need it.

If you prefer to write it down by hand, keep the paper in a physical location only you know about, such as a locked drawer or a safe. Do not leave it on a sticky note on the router itself or on your desk. Do not text it to yourself or email it to your own account, because those messages can be intercepted or recovered by someone with access to your phone or email.

Understand the difference between your router password and your WiFi password

Your router has two separate passwords. The WiFi password (also called the network password or pre-shared key) is what you type into your phone or laptop to connect to the internet. The router admin password is what you use to log into the settings page to change network settings. They are often the same, but they do not have to be.

Most people only need the WiFi password. You only need the admin password if you want to change your network name, update your WiFi password, restart the router, or adjust security settings. If someone knows your WiFi password, they can use your internet. If someone knows your admin password, they can change your WiFi password, see what devices are connected, or alter your network in other ways. Keep both passwords private, but treat the admin password as more sensitive.

Contact your internet provider if you cannot access the router

If you cannot reach the router's settings page, or if you have a modem-router combo device provided by your internet provider, contact your provider's support line. They can tell you the default password for your specific device, help you reset it, or in some cases reset it remotely from their end.

Have your account number and the model number of your device ready when you call. The model number is usually on a sticker on the device itself. Your provider's support team has seen thousands of these devices and can walk you through the reset process step by step if you get stuck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the reset button does not work?

Try holding it for a full 30 seconds instead of 10 to 15. Some routers require a longer press. If the lights do not flash or change, the button may be stuck or the router may need power cycled — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again. If nothing happens after three attempts, contact your router manufacturer's support line.

Will resetting the router affect my internet connection?

The reset itself does not disconnect your internet, but you will need to reconnect each device to your network after the reset. Your internet provider's connection to your modem will remain active. If you have a separate modem and router, only the router resets — the modem stays on and connected.

Can I recover my old password without resetting?

No. Once you change a password on a router, there is no way to see what it was without resetting the device. The router stores only an encrypted version of the password, not the password itself. A factory reset is the only option if you forgot a password you set yourself.

Is the default password find?

Default passwords printed on stickers are not find because anyone who has access to your router can read them. Change the password to something unique as soon as you set up your network. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and make it at least 12 characters long.