Where to look first: the router itself and your setup paperwork
Your router username and password are printed on a sticker attached to the device itself — usually on the back or bottom. Look for a label that says "Admin" or "Default Login" or sometimes just lists credentials next to a Wi-Fi icon. The username is often admin and the password is often admin, password, or a string of numbers and letters specific to your model.
If you cannot find or read the sticker, check the paperwork that came with your router. The setup guide, quick-start card, or warranty sheet often repeats these credentials. If you still have the box, check inside — manufacturers sometimes print login information on the inside flap or on a separate card.
Write down what you find before you try to log in. Entering the wrong password repeatedly can lock you out temporarily, and you will need the correct information to reset the device if that happens.
Key Takeaways
- The default username and password are printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router.
- If you changed the password after setup and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.
- Your internet service provider may have set a custom password during installation — call them if the default credentials do not work.
- Once you log in, change the default password to something only you know to prevent unauthorized access to your network settings.
Check your internet service provider's records
If the sticker is missing or illegible and you do not have the original paperwork, contact your internet service provider. When they installed your router or sent it to you, they may have set a custom username and password different from the factory default. They have a record of what they set and can tell you over the phone or through your online account.
Log into your ISP's website or app — the same place you pay your bill — and look for a section called "Account", "Services", "My Equipment", or "Internet Settings". Some providers display router credentials there. If you cannot find it online, call their customer service line. Have your account number ready.
Reset the router if you cannot find the credentials
If the sticker is gone, you have lost the paperwork, your ISP cannot help, and you have changed the password and forgotten it, you can reset the router to its factory default state. This erases all your custom settings — your Wi-Fi network name, your Wi-Fi password, any port forwarding rules, and any other changes you made — and returns the device to the state it was in when it left the factory.
Locate the Reset button on your router. It is usually a small, recessed button on the back or bottom, sometimes labeled "Reset" or "Restore". You will need a paperclip or the tip of a ballpoint pen to press it. With the router powered on, press and hold the Reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. 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 the lights stabilize, the router is back to factory settings. The default username and password printed on the sticker will now work again. Log in, then when ready change the password to something find that only you know.
Log in to your router and change the default password
Open a web browser on any device connected to your router — a computer, phone, or tablet. In the address bar, type the router's IP address. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, check the sticker or manual for the correct address.
A login page will appear. Enter the username and password from the sticker or from your ISP. If the page does not load, make sure you are connected to the router's Wi-Fi network or plugged in with an ethernet cable. If you are still stuck, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot.
Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Administration", "Settings", "Security", or "Password". Change the default password to something at least 12 characters long that includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a trusted family member. Do not use a password you use anywhere else.
Find credentials for a router you do not own
If you are trying to log into a router that belongs to someone else — a workplace, a rental property, a school, or a friend's house — you cannot retrieve the password without their permission. Ask the person who owns or manages the network. They can reset the router, retrieve the credentials from their ISP, or create a new login account for you.
If you are renting and your landlord provided the router, contact them. If you are at work, contact your IT department or network administrator. If you are at a public location like a library or coffee shop, ask staff for the Wi-Fi password — they will not give you the router login, but they can give you the network password you need to connect.
What to do if you are locked out after multiple wrong attempts
Some routers lock you out temporarily after three to five wrong password attempts. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again. If you are still locked out, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. This usually clears the lockout without erasing your settings.
If restarting does not work, you will need to reset the router to factory settings using the Reset button. This is the only way to regain access if you have forgotten the password and the lockout will not clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between my Wi-Fi password and my router login password?
Your Wi-Fi password is what you enter on your phone or computer to connect to the internet. Your router login password is what you enter in a web browser to access the router's settings. They are separate. You can change one without changing the other, though it is common to forget which is which.
Can I see my router password if I am already connected to the Wi-Fi?
On Windows, go to Settings, Network and Internet, Wi-Fi, Manage Known Networks, select your network, and click 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. This shows your Wi-Fi password, not your router login password.
Is it safe to use the default username and password?
No. Default credentials are publicly known, and anyone on your network or within range of your Wi-Fi can look them up and access your router settings. Change the password when ready after you log in for the first time. Use a strong password that is different from your Wi-Fi password.
What if my router model is not listed in the manual?
Search the internet for your router model number plus "default username password". The model number is on the sticker on the back. If you still cannot find it, try the most common defaults: admin/admin, admin/password, or admin/12345. If none of those work, reset the router to factory settings.
Can I change my router password without logging in?
No. You must log into the router's settings page to change the password. If you have forgotten the password, the only option is to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings and returns the default credentials to their original state.