You can reset your router to factory settings and set a new password, but this will disconnect all your devices and erase any custom settings you've made

The fastest way back in depends on whether you remember your Wi-Fi network name. If you do, you can try a password reset through your internet provider's app or website — many providers let you reset the router remotely without losing your settings. If that doesn't work, or if you don't have access to your provider's tools, a factory reset is the nuclear option: it wipes everything and returns the router to the state it shipped in, forcing you to set up Wi-Fi from scratch.

Before you reset anything, check whether you wrote the password down. Look in the box the router came in, in your email (your provider may have sent setup instructions), or in any notebook where you keep passwords. If you find it, you're done — just log in to the router's admin panel using that password.

Key Takeaways

  • Your internet provider's app or website often lets you reset the router password remotely without erasing your settings — check there first.
  • A factory reset returns the router to its original state, disconnects all your devices, and erases any custom network names or settings you created.
  • After a factory reset, you'll need to log in with the default username and password printed on the router's label, then create a new password.
  • Reconnecting all your devices (phones, laptops, smart home devices) to the new Wi-Fi network takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many you have.
  • Write down your new password somewhere physical, or store it in a password manager, so you don't lose it again.

Try your provider's password reset tool first

Most internet providers — Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, AT&T, Charter Spectrum, and others — offer a way to reset your router password through their website or mobile app without doing a full factory reset. This is the gentler option because it keeps your Wi-Fi network name, any port forwarding rules you set up, and your connected devices intact.

Log into your provider's account online or open their app, look for a section called "Manage My Router," "Router Settings," or "Network," and find the option to reset or change the Wi-Fi password. You'll usually need to verify your identity by answering security questions or confirming a code sent to your phone. Once you've reset it, the new password will be shown on screen — write it down when ready.

If your provider doesn't offer this tool, or if you can't remember your account login, move to a factory reset.

How to do a factory reset on your router

A factory reset erases everything on the router and returns it to the state it left the factory. This means your Wi-Fi network name will revert to the default (usually something like "NETGEAR-1234" or "Xfinity"), all your devices will be disconnected, and you'll have to reconnect them one by one.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router — it's usually recessed so you can't press it by accident. Use a paperclip, pen, or the tip of a thumbtack to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink, and the router will restart. This takes about two to three minutes. Do not unplug the router during this time.

Once the lights stop blinking and return to their normal pattern, the reset is complete. Your router is now back to factory defaults.

Log in with the default credentials and create a new password

Look at the label on the back or bottom of your router. It will show a default username (often "admin") and a default password (often "admin" or "password," or sometimes a string of numbers). Open a web browser on any device connected to the router via ethernet cable, or connected to the default Wi-Fi network, and type the router's IP address into the address bar — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. The label will tell you which one.

You'll see a login screen. Enter the default username and password from the label. Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," or "Network Settings." Change the Wi-Fi password to something you can remember — at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols makes it harder to guess. Save the changes and wait for the router to restart, which takes about one to two minutes.

Reconnect your devices to the new Wi-Fi network

After the restart, your Wi-Fi network name will be back to the default name shown on the router's label. On each of your devices — phone, laptop, tablet, smart speaker, security camera, printer — go to the Wi-Fi settings, forget the old network, and reconnect using the new password you just created. Devices usually connect in the order you try them, so start with the ones you use most.

Smart home devices like Alexa speakers, Ring doorbells, or smart thermostats may need to be removed from their apps and re-added after they reconnect to Wi-Fi. Check the device's app for instructions if it doesn't automatically reconnect. This whole process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many devices you have.

Change the router's default username and password after you're back online

Now that you're logged back in with the default credentials, change the admin password for the router itself — this is different from the Wi-Fi password. Look for "Administration," "System Settings," or "Advanced" in the router's settings menu, find the option to change the admin password, and create a new one. This prevents someone else from logging into your router's settings panel if they're connected to your Wi-Fi.

Also consider changing the Wi-Fi network name (called the SSID) from the default to something that doesn't broadcast your router model to the world. Something like "MyNetwork" is fine; avoid putting your address or last name in it.

How to avoid losing your password again

Write your new Wi-Fi password on a piece of paper and store it somewhere safe — a drawer, a notebook, or a safe in your home. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane, you can store it there too, though a physical copy is useful if you ever need to reconnect a device and can't access your password manager.

Do not store the password in a text file on your computer or in an email — if your computer gets compromised, your Wi-Fi is compromised too. A notebook or a dedicated password manager is more find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my router affect my internet speed?

No. A factory reset only affects the router's settings, not the connection your internet provider gives you. Your speed will be the same as before. However, if you had custom settings that improved performance for your specific setup, you may need to reconfigure them after the reset.

What if I can't find the reset button?

Some routers have the reset button hidden under a removable panel or inside a small hole. Check your router's manual online by searching for the model number (printed on the label) plus "reset button." If the button is truly inaccessible, contact your internet provider — they may be able to reset it remotely or send you a replacement.

Do I need to reset my modem too?

No. Your modem and router are separate devices. The modem connects to your internet provider's network; the router creates your Wi-Fi. You only need to reset the router. Resetting the modem will disconnect your internet entirely and may take 10 to 15 minutes to come back online.

Can I use the same Wi-Fi password I used before?

Yes, if you remember it. When you're setting up the new Wi-Fi password after a factory reset, you can type in your old password instead of creating a new one. This way your devices may reconnect automatically if they still have the old password saved.

What if my router keeps asking for a password after I reset it?

This usually means the router didn't fully reset. Try holding the reset button for 20 to 30 seconds instead of 10 to 15. If it still doesn't work, unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try the reset again while it's booting up.