Where to find your router credentials

Your router username and password are usually printed on a sticker attached to the router itself — most often on the bottom or back. Look for a label that says "Admin", "Username", "Password", or sometimes just lists both as "Default Login". The sticker typically shows something like "Username: admin" and "Password: [a string of numbers or letters]".

If the sticker is missing or worn away, your next step depends on whether you remember changing the password. If you never changed it from the factory default, the username is almost always admin and the password is often admin, password, or 12345 — but this varies by manufacturer. If you did change it and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router, which erases all your settings.

Write down what you find before you try to log in. You will need both pieces of information to access your router's settings page.

Key Takeaways

  • The router username and password are usually printed on a sticker on the bottom or back of the device.
  • If the sticker is missing and you never changed the password, try the factory defaults: username admin with password admin, password, or 12345.
  • If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which will erase your network configuration.
  • Once you have the credentials, you log in through your web browser by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar.

Checking the router label first

Before you do anything else, physically inspect the router. Flip it over or look at the back panel. Most routers have a white or silver label with black text that lists the default login information. On some models, the username and password are the same. On others, they are different. Write down exactly what the label says — including capital letters and numbers — because routers are case-sensitive.

If the label is there but hard to read, take a photo with your phone's flashlight on. You can zoom in on the photo later to read small text. If the label is completely gone, move to the next section.

Using factory default credentials

If you have never changed your router password since you set it up, the factory defaults will work. The username is almost always admin. The password varies by brand and model, but common defaults are admin, password, 1234, or 12345.

To try logging in, open any web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar (not the search bar). Press Enter. A login screen should appear. Type admin in the username field and try one of the common passwords above. If none of those work, your router may use a different default — check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website by searching "[your router model] default password".

If you changed the password yourself and cannot remember it, the factory defaults will not work. You will need to reset the router.

Resetting the router if you forgot the password

Every router has a small reset button, usually recessed into the case so you cannot press it by accident. It is often on the back or bottom, sometimes labeled "Reset" or "Restore". To reset the router to factory settings, use a straightened paperclip or a pen tip to press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink or go dark — this is normal.

Release the button and wait 30 seconds for the router to restart. Once it is back on, the username and password will return to the factory defaults printed on the label. You can now log in with admin and the default password for your model.

Be aware that resetting the router erases all your settings — your Wi-Fi network name, Wi-Fi password, port forwarding rules, and any other changes you made. You will have to set up your network again from scratch. If you do not want to lose your settings, skip this step and contact your internet provider or the router manufacturer for help recovering the password.

Logging in once you have the credentials

Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) and click on the address bar at the top. Type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. If that does not work, try 192.168.0.1 instead. A login page should load — it will ask for a username and password.

Type the username (usually admin) and the password from the label or from your factory defaults. Click the login button. If the credentials are correct, you will see your router's settings dashboard. If you see an error message, double-check that you typed the username and password exactly as they appear — spaces, capital letters, and numbers all matter.

What to do if you still cannot log in

If the factory defaults do not work and you do not remember changing the password, the router may have been set up by someone else — a previous owner, a family member, or your internet provider. Contact whoever set it up and ask for the password.

If you cannot reach them, your internet provider may have a record of the default password for your specific router model. Call their technical support line and tell them the router model number (found on the label). They can often tell you the factory default or walk you through a reset.

If you want to change the password after you log in, look for a section called "Administration", "Settings", "Security", or "Advanced" in your router's dashboard. The exact location varies by brand, but there will be a field where you can enter a new password. Write down the new password somewhere safe — not on the router itself, but in a password manager or a notebook you keep in a find place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the IP address 192.168.1.1 does not load the login page?

Try 192.168.0.1 instead — different routers use different IP addresses. If neither works, your router may be using a different address. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "Default Gateway" — that is your router's IP address. On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Network, and look for "Router" in the TCP/IP settings.

Can I reset the router without losing my Wi-Fi password?

No. Resetting the router returns all settings to factory defaults, including your Wi-Fi network name and password. Before you reset, write down your current Wi-Fi name and password so you can set them up again afterward. You can usually find your Wi-Fi password in your router's settings under "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi".

Is it safe to use the default password?

No. Once you log in, change the password to something only you know. Anyone on your network could potentially access your router settings with the factory default. Go to the Administration or Security section of your router and create a new, unique password that is at least 12 characters long.

What if my router is from my internet provider?

Some internet providers issue routers with custom usernames and passwords. Check any paperwork that came with the router, or call your provider's support line. They can tell you the login information or reset it for you remotely.