Where to look first: the sticker on your router

The easiest place to find your router password is on a sticker attached to the back or bottom of the device itself. Most manufacturers print a default username and password there when the router ships. The password is usually labeled "WiFi Password," "Network Key," "PSK," or sometimes just "Password." Write down exactly what you see — these passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter.

If the sticker is missing, faded, or you cannot read it, the password may still be the factory default. Check the router's model number (also on the sticker or printed on the case) and search online for "[your model number] default password." Common defaults include "admin" for both username and password, or "admin" with a blank password field.

Key Takeaways

  • The default password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of most routers and is the fastest place to look first.
  • If you changed the password yourself and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which erases your custom password.
  • You can also log into the router's settings page using the default username and password to see or change the WiFi password without resetting the whole device.
  • If you rent your router from your internet provider, contact them directly — they have records of the password and can reset it remotely.
  • Write down your new password somewhere safe after you change it, since the default sticker will no longer be accurate.

Logging in to the router settings to view or change the password

If the sticker password does not work, you can log into the router's control panel using a web browser. Open any browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these is the standard address for most home routers. You will see a login screen asking for a username and password.

Use the default username and password from the sticker or from a search for your model number. Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled "WiFi," "Wireless," "Network," or "Security." Inside that section you should see the current WiFi password (sometimes called the "Pre-Shared Key" or "PSK"). You can view it there or change it to something new. After you change it, save the settings — the router will restart and the new password takes effect when ready.

Resetting the router to factory defaults

If you changed the password yourself and cannot remember it, and the default password no longer works, you can reset the router to its original factory state. This erases all your custom settings, including the password you created, and returns it to the default password on the sticker.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a straightened paperclip or a ballpoint pen to press and hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink or go dark. Release the button and wait two to three minutes for the router to restart. Once it finishes restarting, the password will be back to the factory default printed on the sticker.

Warning: resetting the router also erases any other changes you made, such as a custom network name, port forwarding rules, or parental controls. You will need to set those up again after the reset.

Finding the password if you rent the router from your internet provider

If your internet provider (such as Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, or Charter) supplied the router as part of your service, the device may have a different default password than a retail router. The provider often prints their own sticker on the device with login information specific to your account.

If you cannot find that sticker or the password does not work, contact your provider's customer service. They can look up the password in your account, tell you what it is, or reset it remotely so you can use the default again. This is faster than resetting the device yourself because the provider can do it without interrupting your internet service.

What to do if none of the default passwords work

If you have tried the sticker password, searched for the model number default, and the reset button did not work, the router may have been customized by a previous owner or technician. In this case, a full factory reset is your only option — but this time, power off the router completely, then hold the reset button while powering it back on, and keep holding for 15 to 20 seconds. Some routers require this "hard reset" method to fully clear a forgotten password.

If the hard reset still does not restore the default password, the router may be damaged or locked by the previous owner. At that point, you have two choices: contact the router manufacturer's support line with proof of purchase, or replace the router with a new one. A new retail router costs between $50 and $200 depending on the model and speed.

Keeping track of your password after you change it

Once you set a new WiFi password, write it down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager, or a note on your phone. Do not rely on the sticker, because it will no longer be accurate. If you forget the new password later, you will have to reset the router again, which means losing any other custom settings you have made.

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, address, or birthdate. If you need to share the password with a guest, you can tell them the password verbally or write it on a piece of paper — you do not need to reset the router or create a separate guest network unless you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am already connected to the network?

On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network name, and click "Manage Known Networks." Find your router's network, click it, and select "Properties." Scroll down to "Security" and toggle "Show" next to the password field. On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password," and enter your computer password when prompted.

What if I reset the router but the default password still does not work?

Try the other common default address: if 192.168.1.1 did not work, try 192.168.0.1. If neither works, search online for your exact router model number plus "default IP address." You may also try leaving the password field blank and entering only the username, or vice versa — some routers ship with one or the other empty.

Does resetting the router affect my internet connection?

Resetting the router does not affect your internet connection itself — your modem and your provider's service are separate. However, you will lose WiFi for a few minutes while the router restarts. Wired devices connected by ethernet cable will also briefly lose connection. Once the router finishes restarting, everything reconnects automatically.

Can I change the password without logging into the router settings?

No. The only way to change the password without accessing the router's control panel is to reset the router to factory defaults, which puts it back to the sticker password. To create a custom password, you must log in through a web browser or a mobile app provided by the manufacturer.