To reset a router password, you usually either log into the router’s web dashboard and change it there, or do a hardware reset to restore the factory default login, then set a new password.

Two different passwords

Routers have two important passwords.

  • The Wi‑Fi password (what phones/laptops use to join the network).
  • The router admin password (what you use to log into the router’s settings page in a browser).

The steps below cover both, and also what to do if you’ve forgotten everything.

Before you start

  • Make sure you have physical access to the router (you’ll probably need to read the sticker and maybe press the reset button).
  • Look on the back or bottom of the router for:
    • Default Wi‑Fi network name (SSID) and password.
    • Default admin username and password.
    • Default IP address such as 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.

Method 1: Change password without resetting

Use this if you still know the current admin login.

1. Connect to the router

  1. Connect a phone or PC to the router via Wi‑Fi or Ethernet.
  2. Open a browser and type one of these into the address bar:
    • 192.168.0.1
    • 192.168.1.1
    • Or the address printed on the router’s sticker (sometimes a URL like routerlogin.net).

You should see a login page for the router.

2. Log into the admin panel

  • Enter the current admin username and password.
  • If you never changed them, try combinations like:
    • Username: admin / Password: admin
    • Username: admin / Password: (blank)
    • Or whatever is printed on the label.

3. Change the Wi‑Fi password

Once logged in:

  1. Look for menus like Wireless , Wi‑Fi , Wireless Settings , or Network.
  1. Find fields labeled SSID (or Network Name) and Password , Pre‑Shared Key , or Security Key.
  1. Choose security type WPA2‑PSK or WPA3‑SAE if available (these are more secure than WEP).
  1. Enter a new strong Wi‑Fi password:
    • At least 12–16 characters.
    • Mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
  2. Click Apply or Save ; the router may restart and Wi‑Fi will briefly drop.

Then reconnect all your devices with the new password and remove the old saved network on each device so they don’t try to use it again.

4. Change the router admin password (recommended)

Still in the admin interface:

  1. Look for Administration , System , Management , or User Accounts.
  2. Find an option like Change Password or Administrator Password.
  1. Enter your old admin password, then your new strong admin password and save.

This stops others on your network from logging into the router and changing settings.

Method 2: If you forgot the admin password

If you can’t log in at all, you usually have to reset the router to factory settings and then set everything up again.

1. Try default credentials first

  • Check the router’s label or the manual for the default username and password.
  • If the router was used before, someone may have changed these, so the defaults might not work.

Some brands also have a password‑recovery page where, after entering the router’s serial number, you can recover or reset the admin credentials, but this is model‑specific.

2. Do a factory reset (last resort)

If nothing works:

  1. Keep the router powered on.
  2. Find the small recessed Reset button on the back or bottom. You’ll probably need a paperclip or pin to press it.
  1. Press and hold it for about 10–30 seconds (often closer to 15–30 seconds) until the lights blink or the router restarts.

This:

  • Wipes all custom settings (Wi‑Fi name, Wi‑Fi password, parental controls, port‑forwards, etc.).
  • Restores the factory default IP, username, and password printed on the label (for example, admin/admin).

3. Log in after reset and set new passwords

  1. After the router fully reboots, connect to its default Wi‑Fi network or via Ethernet.
  2. Open the browser and go to the default IP (like 192.168.1.1) again.
  1. Log in with the default admin credentials from the sticker or manual.
  1. Immediately:
    • Change the admin password to something strong.
    • Change the Wi‑Fi network name (SSID) and Wi‑Fi password under the Wireless settings.

Some newer routers walk you through a setup wizard that forces you to choose new passwords on the first login.

Safety and good practices

  • Use a unique Wi‑Fi password, not one you reuse for email or banking.
  • Turn on WPA2 or WPA3 security; avoid WEP because it is obsolete and easily cracked.
  • Write the new passwords in a safe place or use a password manager so you do not have to reset the router again.
  • Consider updating the router’s firmware via the admin panel for better security and stability once everything is working.

Simple HTML table recap

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Situation</th>
      <th>What to do</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Know current admin password</td>
      <td>Log into router web page → go to Wireless/Wi‑Fi → change Wi‑Fi password and save.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Forgot Wi‑Fi password but know admin login</td>
      <td>Log into router → view or change Wi‑Fi password in Wireless settings.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Forgot admin password</td>
      <td>Try label defaults → if they fail, press and hold Reset button 10–30 seconds to factory‑reset, then log in with defaults.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>After factory reset</td>
      <td>Log in with default admin credentials → set new admin and Wi‑Fi passwords → reconnect all devices.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR:

  • If you can log in: change the Wi‑Fi and admin passwords from the router’s web interface.
  • If you can’t log in: factory‑reset the router using the reset button, then log in with default credentials and set everything up again.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.