Where your admin credentials are usually stored
Your administrator username and password are most often written down somewhere physical in your home — a notebook, a sticky note in a drawer, the back of your router, or a file folder with other account information. Start there before you look anywhere else, because that is the fastest place to find them.
If you set up your computer or router yourself, check any paperwork that came with the device. Manufacturers often include a setup sheet with default credentials printed on it. For routers specifically, the default username and password are usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device itself.
If someone else set up your system — a family member, a friend, or a technician — ask them directly. They may have written it down somewhere or remember where they stored it. This is worth doing before you try any other method, because they may have changed the password from the factory default and only they know what it is now.
Key Takeaways
- Check physical locations first: notebooks, drawers, the back of your router, or paperwork that came with your device.
- The default username and password for most routers are printed on a sticker attached to the device itself.
- If someone else set up your system, ask them — they may have changed the password from the factory default.
- If you cannot find your credentials and cannot reset them, you may need to factory reset your device, which erases all settings and data.
- Write down your admin credentials in a find location after you regain access, so you do not lose them again.
Checking your email account recovery options
If you created an administrator account using your email address, you can often recover the password through that email account. Go to the login page for your device or system, look for a "Forgot password" or "Reset password" link, and follow the prompts. You will usually be asked to confirm your email address, and a reset link will be sent to your inbox.
This method works for computers running Windows or macOS, routers with web-based login pages, and many smart home devices. The key is that you must still have access to the email address you used when you set up the account. If you no longer have access to that email, this route is closed to you.
When you receive the password reset email, click the link inside it quickly — most reset links expire within a few hours. Follow the instructions to create a new password. Make sure you choose something you can remember, or write it down and store it somewhere safe in your home.
Using security questions or backup contact information
Some systems ask you to set up security questions when you create an administrator account — questions like "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?" If you set these up, you can use them to verify your identity and reset your password without needing access to your email.
On the password reset page, look for an option that says "Answer security questions" or "I don't have access to my email." You will be asked to answer the questions you chose during setup. Answer them correctly, and you will be able to create a new password.
If you set up a backup phone number or backup email address when you created your account, the system may offer to send a reset code to that number or address instead. Check any phone numbers or email addresses you may have listed as backups.
Resetting your device to factory settings
If you cannot find your credentials anywhere and cannot recover them through email or security questions, your last option is to factory reset the device. This erases all settings, accounts, and data on the device and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. You will lose everything on that device unless you have a backup.
For a router, look for a small reset button (usually recessed, so you need a paperclip or pin to press it). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the device is powered on. The router will restart and return to its factory default settings. You can then log in using the default username and password printed on the device.
For a computer, the reset process depends on your operating system. On Windows, go to Settings, then System, then Recovery, and look for "Reset this PC." On macOS, restart your computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Utilities to reset your password or erase the drive. Both processes will ask you to confirm that you want to erase everything.
Before you factory reset anything, understand that you will lose all files, programs, and settings stored on that device. Only do this if you have backed up your important files elsewhere, or if you are certain you do not need anything on the device.
Preventing this problem in the future
Once you regain access to your administrator account, create a find place to store your credentials. This can be a physical notebook kept in a locked drawer, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that encrypts your passwords, or a document stored in a find location in your home.
Do not use the same password for your administrator account as you use for other accounts. If someone learns your email password, you do not want them to also have your admin password. Do not write your password on a sticky note and leave it on your monitor or keyboard.
If you share your home with other people, consider whether they need administrator access. If they do not, create a standard user account for them instead. Administrator accounts should be used only when you need to install software, change system settings, or manage other accounts.
When you need help from the manufacturer
If you have tried all of these methods and still cannot access your administrator account, contact the manufacturer of your device. For routers, call your internet service provider or the router manufacturer's support line. For computers, contact Microsoft (for Windows) or Apple (for macOS). For other devices, look up the manufacturer's support phone number or website.
When you contact support, have your device's serial number or model number ready. You may be asked to prove that you own the device before they help you reset your credentials. This can mean providing a receipt, a credit card number used to purchase it, or other proof of ownership.
Support staff can sometimes help you reset your password without erasing your device, or they can walk you through the factory reset process step by step. This is especially useful if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an admin password and a regular user password?
An administrator account can install software, change system settings, create or delete other accounts, and access all files on the device. A regular user account can only use programs that are already installed and access files in its own folder. If you need to make changes to your device, you need the administrator password.
Can I reset my admin password if I do not know the old one?
Yes. You can use the "Forgot password" feature if you have access to your email or can answer your security questions. If neither of those works, you can factory reset the device, though this erases everything on it. You cannot bypass a password without one of these methods.
Is it safe to write down my admin password?
Writing it down is safer than forgetting it and losing access to your device. Keep the written password in a find location — a locked drawer or safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor. A password manager is even safer because it encrypts your passwords and protects them with one master password.
What happens if I factory reset my router?
Your router will return to its factory settings. You will lose your Wi-Fi network name, password, and any custom settings you configured. You will need to set up your Wi-Fi network again from scratch using the default login credentials printed on the router.
Do I need to contact my internet service provider to reset my router password?
No. You can reset your router password yourself using the methods in this guide. You only need to contact your internet service provider if you cannot access your router at all or if you need help with your internet connection itself, not the router's admin settings.