Your router stores the settings for your home Wi-Fi network. From it, you can rename the network, change the password, adjust the security level, and alter a variety of other options. To change something on your network, you have to log into your router’s firmware. But how?
The process for logging into your router should be the same, whether you use the internet provider’s unit or purchase your own router. It should also be the same whether you use a dedicated router or a combination modem/router supplied by your provider. Here’s how to gain access to your network’s settings.
Find Your Router’s IP Address
Before you can gain access to your router’s firmware, you’ll need the IP address of your router. Typically, it’s 192.168.1.1, but that’s not always the case, so you may first want to confirm the address of your router.
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In Windows 10, you can find your router’s IP address under Settings > Network & Internet > Status > View hardware and connection properties. For Windows 11, users, go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings and click Hardware and connection properties. Look for an entry named Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then find the Default Gateway setting to locate the IP address.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
You can also find the router’s IP address if you type cmd in the Windows search bar to open the Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter on your keyboard. Scroll through the information until you see Default Gateway under Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter. That’s your router, and the number next to it is your router’s IP address.
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If you’re on a Mac, go to Apple > System Settings and choose Wi-Fi in the sidebar. Click on the name of the network and choose Details to see the necessary information.
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Enter Your Login Credentials
Once you have the IP address, open your web browser and enter it into the address field. You’re then asked for a username and password to access the router’s firmware. This is either the default username and password for your router—separate from your Wi-Fi password—or unique credentials that you may have created when you set up the router.
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Can’t log in? Many routers have a label printed on the unit with the default username and password, so check this first. If the credentials listed on the label don’t work, and you can’t remember them, signing in becomes a bit trickier. Some routers offer a password-recovery feature. If yours does, it should appear after you enter the wrong credentials a certain number of times. Typically, this window will ask for the router’s serial number, which you should find on the unit.
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If you never changed the router’s login credentials, many use the default username admin and the default password password. Try that combination to see if it works. Otherwise, you can run a web search for the default username and password for your router brand, such as Netgear, Linksys, Asus, or TP-Link. Another option is to visit Routerpasswords.com, where you can select the manufacturer to get a list of default usernames and passwords. Try each to see if one of them works.
If you still can’t log into your router’s firmware, you’ll need to reset the device to revert all settings back to their defaults. You’ll usually find a small reset button on your router. Using a pointed object, like a pen or paper clip, push in and hold the reset button for around 10 seconds. You should now be able to log into your router using the default username and password.
(Credit: PCMag / Router Passwords)
Change Router Settings
After you gain access to your router’s firmware, you’ll be free to change the network’s settings. These include the router name and password, the security level, and the Wi-Fi password. You can also set up parental controls, create a guest network, and manage attached devices. Just remember to apply any changes before you move on to the next screen.
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(Credit: PCMag / Netgear)
While we can’t walk you through every process for your specific device, manufacturer documentation and built-in help tools should be available to assist you in making the necessary changes. Most modern routers also have setup wizards that can take care of some of this labor for you.
We recommend changing the router’s username and password, if they’re still set to the default values. Look for the Administrator tab, or something similar. (Note that some routers let you change only the password, not the username.) When creating a new password, remember to create a secure password—not so difficult that you can’t remember it but complex enough that it’s not easy to guess. A passphrase with a combination of easy-to-remember words is also a good option.
Be sure to remember the new password so you don’t have to reset the router in the future. Your router’s firmware may also ask you to set up security questions and answers, another handy way to prove your identity. You’ll then have to apply the settings and log back into your router.
(Credit: PCMag / Netgear)
How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password
While you’re here, take a moment to review your current Wi-Fi password, and change it to something secure. To do this, look for a Wireless or Wi-Fi section in the router’s firmware. You’ll see your current Wi-Fi name and password listed, which you can change. You may want to change the default Wi-Fi name if it’s still using the brand name of the router.
Checking your security settings is another item on the to-do list. Under Security Options, or a similar section, make sure the security for your network is set to at least WPA2-PSK [AES], which has been the strongest level available for years. Newer routers with the latest Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 technology will offer the more secure WPA3 option. If your router has it, use that option. Apply your new settings and close the browser window when finished.
(Credit: PCMag / Netgear)
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About Lance Whitney
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