Where to find your router credentials
Your router username and password are usually printed on a sticker attached to the router itself — often on the back or bottom. Look for a label that says "Admin," "Username," "Password," or sometimes just "Default Login." The sticker typically shows both pieces of information side by side.
If the sticker is missing or worn away, the default credentials depend on your router's manufacturer. Common defaults are "admin" for the username and "admin," "password," or a blank field for the password. You can find your specific router's defaults by searching "[your router model] default username password" — for example, "TP-Link Archer C7 default username password."
Your router model number is also on that same sticker or label. Write it down before you search, because different models from the same brand often have different defaults.
Key Takeaways
- The username and password are printed on a physical sticker on your router, usually on the back or bottom panel.
- If the sticker is gone, search for your exact router model number plus "default username password" to find what the manufacturer set.
- Common defaults are "admin" for username and "admin" or "password" for the password, but this varies by brand and model.
- If you changed the password yourself and forgot it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases your Wi-Fi network name and password too.
What to do if you changed the password and forgot it
If you previously logged in and changed the password yourself, the default credentials will no longer work. Your only option is to reset the router to factory settings. This erases all your custom settings — including your Wi-Fi network name and password — and returns the router to how it came from the manufacturer.
To reset, locate the small reset button (usually recessed into the case so you cannot press it by accident). Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, the default username and password from the sticker will work again.
After you log in with the defaults, you will need to set up your Wi-Fi network name and password again from scratch. Your devices will not automatically reconnect — you will have to manually select the network and enter the new password on each one.
How to log in once you have the credentials
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, but check your router's manual or the sticker to be sure.
A login page will appear. Enter the username and password from the sticker (or the defaults you found online). Click "Login" or "Submit." You are now in the router's settings panel, where you can change your Wi-Fi password, update firmware, or adjust other network settings.
If the page does not load, make sure you are connected to the router's network. If you typed the address correctly and still see nothing, try the other common IP address (if you tried 192.168.1.1, try 192.168.0.1 instead).
Why you might not remember changing it
Many people change their router password once during setup and then never think about it again. If you set a new password months or years ago, it is straightforward to forget. Some routers also prompt you to change the default password the first time you log in, so you may have done it without consciously deciding to.
If you are certain you never changed it and the default credentials still do not work, it is possible someone else on your network changed it without telling you. This is rare in a home setting but worth considering if you share the network with roommates or family members who have technical knowledge.
Keeping your router credentials find
Once you log in, change the default username and password to something only you know. Default credentials are public information — anyone with your router model number can find them online — so leaving them unchanged means anyone who gains physical access to your router can change your settings or lock you out.
Write your new credentials down and store them somewhere safe, like a password manager or a locked drawer. Do not use the same password as your Wi-Fi network password. Your router login controls your entire network, while your Wi-Fi password only lets people connect to it.
If you forget your new password after changing it, you will have to reset the router again, which is why writing it down matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between my Wi-Fi password and my router password?
Your Wi-Fi password is what guests enter to connect to your network. Your router password is what you enter to log into the router's settings panel. They are separate — you can change one without changing the other. The router password is more sensitive because it controls everything about your network.
Can I reset my router without losing my Wi-Fi network?
No. A factory reset erases all settings, including your custom Wi-Fi name and password. If you only forgot your router login password, you have to reset the entire router and set everything up again. If you only forgot your Wi-Fi password, you can log into the router with the default credentials and change just the Wi-Fi password without resetting.
What if I cannot find the reset button?
Check your router's manual or search "[model number] reset button location" online. Some routers have the button on the back, others on the bottom. If your router has no physical reset button, you may be able to reset it from the settings panel itself — log in with the default credentials and look for a "Factory Reset" or "Restore Defaults" option.
Is it safe to use the default username and password?
No. Default credentials are public, so anyone with your router model can find them. Change both the username and password to something unique as soon as you log in. This prevents someone on your network or with physical access to your router from changing your settings.