The fastest way back online depends on what you still have access to
If you cannot remember your WiFi password, you have three working routes: reset the router itself (which erases all settings), log into your router's admin panel if you remember that password, or contact your internet provider to walk you through it. The first two take 10 to 20 minutes. The third takes a phone call and usually 15 to 30 minutes on hold, but does not erase your other settings.
Which route works depends on what you remember and what devices you have nearby. A computer or phone already connected to that WiFi can reach the router's control panel without needing the password. A device that has never connected will need either the new password after a reset, or help from your provider.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset of the router erases the forgotten password but also erases any custom settings you made, like port forwarding or a custom network name.
- If you remember your router admin password (different from WiFi password), you can change the WiFi password without resetting anything else.
- Your internet provider's support line can reset your password remotely on many modern routers, keeping your other settings intact.
- A device already connected to the WiFi can access the router's control panel to change the password, even if you cannot remember it.
Resetting the router to factory defaults
A factory reset erases the forgotten WiFi password and returns every setting to what came out of the box. This is the nuclear option — it works on every router, but you lose any custom changes you made, like a custom network name, security settings, or port forwarding rules.
To reset: locate the small recessed reset button on the back or bottom of the router (usually labeled "Reset" or "Restore"). Use a paperclip or pen tip to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it finishes booting (usually 2 to 3 minutes), the WiFi network name and password return to the factory defaults printed on a sticker on the router itself — often something like "NETGEAR-5G" and a default password like "12345678".
After you reset, connect a device to that default network, then log into the router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser) and change the WiFi password to something you will remember. You will also need to reconfigure any custom settings you had before.
Logging in through the admin panel if you remember the router password
Most routers have two passwords: one for WiFi (what guests use) and one for the admin panel (what you use to change settings). If you remember the admin password but not the WiFi password, you can change the WiFi password without resetting anything.
Use any device already connected to that WiFi network — a phone, laptop, or tablet. Open a web browser and type the router's address, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You will see a login screen asking for a username and password. The default username is often "admin" and the default password is often "admin" or "password", but check the sticker on your router or your router's manual for what yours actually is.
Once logged in, look for a section labeled "WiFi", "Wireless", "Network", or "Security". Find the field showing your current WiFi password (sometimes labeled "Passphrase" or "Pre-Shared Key"). Change it to a new password you will remember, save the changes, and the router will restart. Your new password takes effect when ready.
Calling your internet provider for a remote reset
Your internet provider — Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, or whoever you pay each month — can reset your WiFi password remotely on many modern routers. They cannot do this on all routers, but it is worth asking before you spend 20 minutes on a factory reset.
Call the customer support number on your bill. Tell them you cannot remember your WiFi password and ask if they can reset it for you. If your router supports it, they can push a reset command that changes only the WiFi password, leaving your other settings alone. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes on the phone plus a few minutes for the router to explore the change. Your provider will give you a temporary password or send it to your email.
If your provider cannot reset it remotely, they can walk you through a factory reset or help you access the admin panel. This takes longer but still avoids the guesswork of doing it alone.
Using a connected device to change the password
If you have a phone, laptop, or tablet that is already connected to the WiFi, you can use it to reach the router's admin panel and change the password — even though you cannot remember the password itself. The device is already authenticated, so it does not need to re-enter it.
Open a web browser on the connected device and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Log in with the admin username and password (check the router sticker if you do not remember these). Navigate to the WiFi or wireless settings and change the password. Save the changes and the router restarts. Your new password is now active, and you can connect other devices using it.
Finding your router's default address and login
Different routers use different admin addresses and default logins. The most common admin addresses are 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1, but some use 192.168.100.1 or a web address like routerlogin.net or myrouter.local. The easiest place to find the correct address and default username and password is the sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself.
If the sticker is worn or missing, you can usually find this information in the router's manual or on the manufacturer's website. Search for your router model number (printed on the sticker) plus "default password" or "admin login". Most manufacturers publish this information publicly because it is not a secret — it is the same for every router of that model.
What to do if you do not know the admin password either
If you cannot remember both the WiFi password and the admin password, a factory reset is your only option without calling your provider. Press and hold the reset button as described above, and the router returns to factory defaults. You will then use the default admin password printed on the sticker to log in and set a new WiFi password.
If you want to avoid a factory reset, call your internet provider. They can reset the WiFi password remotely on many routers, or they can walk you through the process. Bring your account number or the phone number associated with your account so they can verify you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting the router disconnect my other devices?
Yes. After a factory reset, all devices lose their connection because the WiFi network name and password change back to the factory defaults. You will need to reconnect each device using the new default password, then change the password to something permanent through the admin panel.
What if I cannot find the reset button?
Some routers hide the reset button inside a small hole on the back. Use a straightened paperclip or a pen tip to reach it. If you still cannot find it, search your router model number plus "reset button location" online, or call your provider — they can walk you through it or reset it remotely.
Is the admin password the same as the WiFi password?
No. The WiFi password is what you give to guests to connect. The admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings. They are separate. If you changed one, the other may still be the factory default.
Can I change the WiFi password from my phone without being connected?
No. You need to be connected to the WiFi network first, or have the admin password to log in from outside the network. If you have neither, a factory reset or a call to your provider is the way forward.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset button press itself takes 10 to 15 seconds. The router then restarts, which usually takes 2 to 3 minutes. After that, you can connect to the default network when ready, but allow another 5 to 10 minutes to log in and set a new password.