Routers are the heart of our home and office networks. They connect all our devices to the internet, manage Wi-Fi signals and protect us from security threats.
But one of the most common problems we face is forgetting username or password of the Wi-Fi network or the router admin panel leaving us unable to access important network settings, change Wi-Fi passwords or configure security features. Whether you changed your router password months ago and forgot it now, or you just moved to a new location with a pre-configured router, being struck can be frustrating. If you are in any of these positions don't worry - you are not alone. In this post we will walk you through all the possible ways to recover or reset your router credentials without losing your connection. Recovering or resetting your router credentials is simpler than you think.
We are going to discuss multiple methods to regain access to your router - trying default credentials, performing a factory reset and brand specific techniques. By the end of this article you will know exactly how to recover access to any router regardless of the brand. Before everything it's important to understand that there are two different types of passwords linked with our router, one is the admin password - used to access router settings and the another one is the WiFi password - used to connect devices to your network. This article focuses on recovering the admin password but the methods given here also reset the WiFi password too.
Understanding Router Credentials
Before trying any recovery method it's fundamental to understand the difference between the password associated with our router. Many of us confuse these which may lead to unnecessary troubleshooting.
Admin Password (Router Login Password)
This is the password we usually use to access our router's administration portal via the web browser. When we type a router's IP address (like 192.168.1.1) into a browser you will be prompted for a username and password. This is where we usually do admin login. The admin password controls who can change router settings, configure security features, setup port forwarding, update firmware and manage connected devices. Most routers come with simple default admin credentials like "admin/admin" or "admin/password". But due to security consciousness users/ISPs often change these default credentials during initial setup. If we or someone else changed this password and forgot it we need to either try the default credentials or perform a factory reset.
WiFi Password (Network Security Key)
This is completely different from the admin password. The WiFI password is the one we usually share with family, friends or guests when they want to connect their devices to our wireless network. We can change our WiFi password through the router admin panel. Actually, forgetting WiFi password doesn't mean that we are stuck out of the router admin panel, as long as we remember our admin credentials.
WPS PIN
Some routers also have a WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) PIN which is another method to connect devices to our network without entering the WiFi password. This is less commonly used and not relevant to admin password recovery.
Why Router Security Matters
Router is the gateway to our entire home network. Anyone with access to our router admin panel can monitor internet traffic, change DNS settings to redirect our browsing, steal personal information or use our network for illegal activities. That's why it is important to secure our router with a strong password and recovering access properly is so important.
Where Credentials Are Stored
Router credentials are stored in the router's non-volatile memory. When we change our admin password it is encrypted and saved in this memory. During a factory reset, this memory is wiped out and the router reverts to brand default settings, including the original default username and password.
Method 1 - Try Default Credentials
Before you do a factory reset (which erases all your settings), it's worth trying the default credentials. Many users never change their router's default admin password, even if it is changed, trying the default only takes a minute and could save you a lot of reconfiguration work.
Understanding Default Credentials
Every router brand programs default login credentials into their devices at the time of manufacture in the factory. These defaults are published publicly because there is no other way to initially access a brand-new router. Of course this creates security vulnerability - that's why we should always change default passwords, It also means recovery is possible.
Common Default Credentials by Brand
TP-Link Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 or tplinkwifi.net
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: admin
- Older models sometimes use: admin/password
- Some newer models may require creating a password on initial setup
Netgear Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.1.1 or routerlogin.net
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: password
- Some models use: admin/admin
Linksys Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: admin
- Older WRT models: leave password blank
- Smart WiFi routers may require account creation
D-Link Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.0.1
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: (leave blank)
- Some models: admin/admin
- Older models: Admin/blank (capital A)
ASUS Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.1.1 or router.asus.com
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: admin
- RT-series models: same credentials
- Gaming ROG routers: admin/admin
Belkin Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.2.1
- Default Username: (leave blank)
- Default Password: (leave blank)
- Some models require password creation on first use
Cisco/Linksys Business Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.1.1
- Default Username: cisco
- Default Password: cisco
- Business models may vary
Tenda Routers:
- Default IP address: 192.168.0.1 or tendawifi.com
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: admin
Google WiFi/Nest WiFi:
- No default IP access
- Must use Google Home app
- Password set during initial setup via app
Arris/Motorola Modems:
- Default IP address: 192.168.0.1
- Default Username: admin
- Default Password: password
- Some ISP models: printed on device
Step-by-Step: Accessing with Default Credentials
Step 1: Connect to your router
First we need to be connected to the router's network. This can be via WiFi - if you know the password or Ethernet cable. For Ethernet:
- Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into any LAN port on the router (usually yellow ports, not the WAN/Internet port)
- Plug another end into our computer's/laptop's Ethernet port
Step 2: Find your Router's IP address
Most routers use standard IP addresses like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, if you are not sure - Check the article What is My Router IP to find your Router IP.
Step 3: Access Router Admin Panel
- Open any web browser
- In the address bar, type your router's IP address
- Press Enter
- You should see a login page (If you get "This site can't be reached", double check the IP address)
Step 4: Try Default Credentials
- Enter the default username for your brand (usually "admin")
- Enter the default password (varies by brand - see table above)
- Click Login/Sign in
- If Successful, You are done! Change your password immediately.
Step 5: Check Router Label
If the defaults don't work then physically check your router. Most of the routers have a label on the bottom/back displaying:
- Model Number
- Serial Number
- Default IP address
- Default username & password
- Default WiFi network name and password
Sometimes some brands use unique passwords for each device which will be printed on the label.
Step 6: Check Router Manual
If you still have the manual that is provided with your router, it will list the default credentials. If you don't have the physical then you can:
- Visit the manufacturer's site
- Search for your router model number manual or default password
- Download the PDF manual
- Look for initial setup or login section
Step 7: Use Default Password Databases
Several websites maintain databases of default router credentials:
- routerpasswords.com
- default-password.info
- Brand's support page
- Search for your exact router model
What if Default Credentials Don't Work?
It means either:
- The password was changed
- Your ISP pre-configured the router with custom credentials
- You are entering the wrong defaults for your specific model
Method 2 - Factory Reset
A factory reset is the final option because it completely erases all custom settings and makes your router to its original/default state. While this resolves the password problem it also means that you need to reconfigure everything.
When you do a factory reset the router's software deletes all user-configured settings from the non-volatile memory and reverts to the default configuration. This process is irreversible once initiated. All your customized settings will be deleted permanently.
What Gets Deleted:
- Admin username and password (reverts to default)
- WiFi network name (SSID)
- WiFi password
- WiFi security settings
- Guest Network configuration
- Port forwarding rules
- Dynamic DNS settings
- Custom DNS servers
- Firewall rules
- Parental controls
- QoS (Quality of Service) settings
- Static IP reservation
- MAC address filtering rules
- VPN server
- Custom DHCP ranges
- Timezone and NTP settings
What Does Not Get Deleted:
- Router software version
- Hardware MAC address
- Model number and serial number
- Physical WLAN/LAN connections
When to use Factory Reset:
- Default credentials don't work (Password was changed & forgotten)
- Router is behaving randomly or facing performance issues
- You are selling or giving away the router (Security measure)
- You want to start completely fresh configurations
- Manufactures support recommends it for troubleshooting
- You suspect router has been hacked
How to Perform Factory Reset
General Procedure (works for Most Routers)
- The reset button is usually a small button on the back or bottom of the router
- Often labeled "Reset", "Restore" or just has a circular arrow symbol
- Color is maybe red or the same as router case color
- Not to be confused with the WPS button. It is different
- Use paperclip or pin to press the button
- Continue holding for 10-30 seconds
- Keep holding even if lights start flashing
- After several seconds all the lights will turn off
- Some router's LED will change color
- Then release the reset button
- The router will automatically reboot
- Wait 1-3 minutes for complete restart
- Don't unplug or disturb the power to router during this process
- Now you can login with default credentials