The fastest way to reset your router password
If you remember your current WiFi password, you can change it directly through your router's settings page without resetting the whole device. Log into your router's admin panel by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser, enter your admin username and password, find the WiFi or Wireless settings section, and change the password there. This takes about five minutes and keeps all your other settings intact.
If you do not remember your admin password, or if you cannot access the settings page, you will need to perform a factory reset. This erases all your custom settings and returns the router to its original state. After a factory reset, you will need to set up your WiFi name and password again from scratch, and reconfigure any other settings like port forwarding or parental controls.
Key Takeaways
- If you know your admin password, you can change your WiFi password in the router settings without resetting anything else.
- A factory reset erases all settings and returns your router to its original state, so use it only when you cannot access the admin panel.
- To factory reset, hold the reset button on the back of your router for 10 to 15 seconds while it is powered on.
- After a factory reset, your WiFi will broadcast the router's default name (often something like "TP-Link-1234"), and you will need to create a new password.
- Write down your new WiFi password somewhere safe so you do not lose it again.
Changing your WiFi password without a full reset
Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. The most common addresses are 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1, but your router's manual or the sticker on the device will list the correct one. Press Enter.
You will see a login page asking for a username and password. The default username is often "admin" and the default password is often "admin" or "password", but this varies by manufacturer. Check your router's manual or the label on the back of the device. If you changed these credentials before and cannot remember them, you will need to do a factory reset instead.
Once logged in, look for a section labeled Wireless, WiFi, or Network Settings. Find the field that says WiFi Password, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. Type your new password — it should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Click Save or explore. Your router will restart, and your devices will disconnect briefly. Reconnect using your new password.
How to perform a factory reset on your router
Locate the reset button on your router. It is usually a small, recessed button on the back or bottom of the device, often labeled "Reset" or "Restore". You may need a paperclip or pen to press it, since it is designed to be hard to press accidentally.
Make sure your router is powered on. Press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. Some routers require you to hold it for up to 30 seconds — check your manual if you are unsure. While you are holding the button, the lights on the front of the router may blink or change color. Keep holding until the lights stop changing or the router restarts.
Release the button and wait for the router to finish restarting. This usually takes one to two minutes. The WiFi network name will change back to the router's default name, which is often printed on the label on the back of the device (for example, "TP-Link-1234" or "Netgear-5G"). The default admin password will also be restored, usually printed on the same label.
Setting up your WiFi after a factory reset
Once the router has restarted, look for its default WiFi network name in your device's available networks list. Connect to it using the default password from the label on your router. Open a web browser and go to your router's IP address again (usually 192.168.1.1). Log in with the default admin username and password from the label.
You will usually see a setup wizard that walks you through creating a new WiFi name and password. If not, navigate to the Wireless or WiFi settings section manually. Create a strong WiFi password — at least 12 characters, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write this password down and store it somewhere safe, like a password manager or a locked drawer.
Save your settings and wait for the router to restart. Your new WiFi network will appear in your device's available networks list. Connect to it using the new password you just created. Test your internet connection to make sure everything is working.
What to do if the reset button does not work
Some routers have a reset button that does not respond to pressing. Try holding it for a full 30 seconds instead of 10 to 15. If the router still does not reset, check whether your model has a pinhole reset button that requires a very thin object like a straightened paperclip to set up.
If pressing the button does not work and you cannot access the admin panel, try unplugging the router for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This sometimes clears the device's memory, though it does not always perform a full factory reset. If this does not work either, you may need to contact your router's manufacturer for support, or consider replacing the device.
Preventing password loss in the future
After you set a new WiFi password, store it in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone or computer. These tools encrypt your passwords and make them available across your devices without writing them down on paper.
If you prefer to write it down, keep the written password in a find location — a locked drawer, a safe, or a locked filing cabinet — not on a sticky note next to your router. You might also write down your router's IP address and default admin username on the same piece of paper, so you have everything you need if you need to reset again.
Change your admin password from the default as soon as you set up your router. This prevents anyone with access to your router's manual from logging into your settings and changing your WiFi password without your permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my router disconnect my devices?
A factory reset will disconnect all your devices from WiFi because it erases the WiFi network name and password. You will need to reconnect each device using the new password after the reset is complete. Changing your WiFi password through the admin panel will also disconnect devices briefly while the router restarts, but they will reconnect automatically if you save the new password to them.
What is the difference between resetting the router and resetting the modem?
Your router and modem are usually separate devices. The modem connects to your internet service provider and brings internet into your home. The router creates your WiFi network. Resetting the router only affects your WiFi and local settings. Resetting the modem will disconnect your internet entirely and may require you to contact your service provider to reactivate it.
Can I reset my router remotely if I am away from home?
No. The reset button must be pressed physically on the device, and you cannot access it remotely. If you are away from home and locked out of your WiFi, you will need to ask someone with physical access to the router to press the reset button, or wait until you return home.
Do I need to reset my router if I just want to change the WiFi password?
No. If you remember your admin password, you can change your WiFi password through the settings page without resetting anything. A factory reset should only be used if you cannot access the admin panel or have forgotten your admin password.
What should I do if I forgot my WiFi password but remember my admin password?
Log into your router's admin panel, go to the Wireless or WiFi settings, and look for a field that shows your current WiFi password. Many routers display it in plain text or with an option to show it. If your router does not display it, you can straightforward create a new WiFi password in that same section without doing a factory reset.