Where to find your router password and username

Your router username and password are usually printed on a sticker attached to the back or bottom of the device itself. Look for a label that lists "Username" (often "admin"), "Password", and sometimes "SSID" (your Wi-Fi network name). This is the fastest way to find them — no searching required.

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, your next step depends on whether you can still access the router's settings. If you remember the password, you can log in through a web browser and view or change both credentials. If you do not remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings and returns it to the original username and password printed on the label.

The username is almost always "admin" across most router brands — Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Asus, and others use this as the default. The password varies by manufacturer and model, which is why the sticker matters. A few routers use "root" or leave the password blank, but this is uncommon.

Key Takeaways

  • The router sticker on the back or bottom of your device lists the default username (usually "admin") and password you need to log in.
  • If you can still access the router settings through a browser, you can view the current username and password without resetting.
  • Resetting the router to factory settings erases all your custom settings and returns it to the original credentials on the sticker.
  • The default username is almost always "admin" across most brands, but the password is unique to your router model and printed on the label.

How to log in if you remember the password

Open a web browser on any device connected to your Wi-Fi or plugged into the router with an ethernet cable. Type the router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, and it is often printed on the sticker as well. Press Enter.

A login screen will appear asking for a username and password. Enter "admin" in the username field (or whatever is listed on your sticker), then type the password from the sticker. Click "Log In" or "Submit". You are now inside your router settings, called the admin panel or dashboard.

Once logged in, look for a section labeled "System Settings", "Administration", "Advanced", or "Tools" — the exact name varies by brand. Inside this section, you should see fields showing your current username and password. Write these down or take a screenshot. If you want to change them to something you will remember, most routers let you do this from the same screen, though you will need to restart the router for the change to take effect.

What to do if you cannot remember the password

If you cannot log in and the sticker is missing or illegible, you will need to reset the router. This erases all your custom settings — your Wi-Fi network name, password, port forwarding rules, and any other changes you made — and returns the router to the factory defaults printed on the label (or the defaults for your model if the label is gone).

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back of the router, usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip, pen, or the tip of a thumbtack to press and hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will flash or go dark, and the router will restart. This takes about two to three minutes.

Once the router has restarted, the username will be "admin" and the password will be whatever is printed on the sticker. If the sticker is missing, search online for your router model number (printed on the label or the bottom of the device) plus "default password". Manufacturer websites and router documentation sites list the factory defaults for every model.

Finding your router model number and IP address

The model number is printed on the sticker on the back or bottom of your router, usually in a line that reads "Model:" followed by a code like "WRT3200ACM" or "Archer A7". Write this down — you will need it if you have to search for default credentials or troubleshoot connection problems.

The IP address (the web address you type into your browser to access the router settings) is also usually on the sticker, listed as "Gateway", "Router Address", or "Access Address". If it is not there, the address is almost always 192.168.1.1 for older routers or 192.168.0.1 for newer ones. Try the first one first; if it does not work, try the second.

You can also find the IP address by opening the network settings on your computer or phone. 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 > Network, select your Wi-Fi connection, and click "Advanced" — the router address is listed under "TCP/IP". On a phone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap your network name, and look for "Router" or "Gateway".

Changing your username and password after you log in

Once you are logged into the admin panel, navigate to the Administration, System Settings, or Advanced section (the exact name depends on your router brand). Look for a subsection called "Change Password", "Administrator Settings", or "Login Credentials".

You will see fields for the current username and password, and fields for the new username and password. Enter the current credentials first to confirm you have permission to make changes. Then type your new username and password into the new fields. Most routers require a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes numbers or special characters, though some are less strict.

After you save the changes, the router will ask you to log out and log back in with the new credentials. Do this right away to confirm the new password works. Write down the new username and password in a safe place — if you forget it again, you will have to reset the router to factory settings.

What happens if you reset the router

A factory reset returns the router to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. This means your Wi-Fi network name and password are erased, so all your devices will lose their connection. You will need to reconnect each device to the Wi-Fi network using the default network name and password (both usually on the sticker).

Any custom settings you made — port forwarding, DNS changes, parental controls, or guest networks — are also erased. If you set up a custom username and password after you first got the router, those are erased too, and the router returns to "admin" and the factory default password.

A reset does not erase your internet connection itself or affect your modem. Your internet service provider's connection remains active; you are only resetting the router's internal settings. After the reset completes and you reconnect your devices, your internet should work the same way it did before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Wi-Fi password from the router settings?

Yes. Log into the admin panel with your username and password, then look for "Wireless", "Wi-Fi", or "Network" settings. You should see a field labeled "Passphrase", "Password", or "Pre-Shared Key" — this is your Wi-Fi password. Most routers show it as dots or asterisks for security, but some have a "Show Password" checkbox you can click to reveal it.

What if the IP address 192.168.1.1 does not work?

Try 192.168.0.1 instead. If neither works, check the sticker on your router for the correct address. You can also find it through your computer's network settings (Command Prompt on Windows, Network settings on Mac) by looking for "Default Gateway". If you still cannot reach the login page, restart your router and try again.

Is it safe to use the default username and password?

No. The default credentials are public knowledge, and anyone on your Wi-Fi network or with access to your router could log in and change your settings. After you first log in, change both the username and password to something unique. Write the new credentials down and store them somewhere safe, separate from the router itself.

Do I lose my internet if I reset the router?

Your internet connection stays active — the modem and your internet service provider are unaffected. However, your Wi-Fi network will disappear, so all your devices will disconnect. After the reset completes, you will need to reconnect each device using the default Wi-Fi name and password from the sticker.

What if the sticker is completely worn off and I cannot read anything?

Search online for your router model number (printed elsewhere on the device or in your purchase paperwork) plus "default password". Manufacturer websites and router documentation databases list the factory defaults for every model. If you cannot find the model number, reset the router and the default credentials will work — then you can change them to something you will remember.