Where to Find Your Router Password and Login

Two passwords, not one

Most people searching for their “router password” actually need one of two different things:

• The Wi-Fi password (also called the network key or passphrase). This is what you type on a phone or laptop to join the network.
• The admin password (the router login). This is what you type on the router’s settings page to change things like the Wi-Fi name or security options.

They are often different, and they are found in different places. Work out which one you need first, then use the matching section below.

Check the label on the router

Many routers have a sticker on the bottom or back. It often lists the default network name (SSID), the default Wi-Fi password, and sometimes the admin address, username, and password. Labels vary by brand, so look for terms such as “Wi-Fi password,” “network key,” “passphrase,” or “admin password.”

Keep in mind that the sticker only shows the factory defaults. If you or someone else changed the passwords later, the label will no longer match.

Find the saved Wi-Fi password on a device you already connected

If any phone or computer is already on the network, it may be able to show you the Wi-Fi password. The exact menus change between versions, so treat these as a general guide.

• Windows 10 or 11: Open network settings, choose the more network adapter options, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, open Status and then Wireless Properties, go to the Security tab, and tick “Show characters.” You may need administrator rights.
• iPhone or iPad: In Settings, open Wi-Fi, tap the info (i) icon next to your network, and tap the password field. You will usually have to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
• Android: In Settings, open Wi-Fi, tap the network (or its gear or share icon), and look for the password or a QR code. Many versions ask you to unlock the phone first.
• Mac: Open Keychain Access, search for your network name, open the entry, and tick “Show password.” You will be asked for your Mac login password.

This reveals only the Wi-Fi password. It does not show the admin password.

Find your router’s IP address

To open the admin page you need the router’s address, often called the default gateway. Common ones are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 10.0.0.1, but yours may differ. Some brands also provide a friendly web name, for example Netgear’s routerlogin.net or TP-Link’s tplinkwifi.net.

• Windows: Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for “Default Gateway” under your active connection.
• Mac: Open System Settings (or System Preferences), go to Network, select your connection, and look for the router address in the details.
• iPhone or iPad: In Settings, open Wi-Fi, tap the (i) next to your network, and read the “Router” field.
• Android: In Settings, open Wi-Fi, tap your network, and look for the gateway or router entry. Some versions hide it under advanced details.

Log in to the router admin page

1. Connect to the router with Wi-Fi, or better, with an Ethernet cable. If you cannot join the Wi-Fi because you do not know the password, a cable gets around that.
2. Open a web browser and type the router’s address into the address bar (not a search box).
3. Enter the admin username and password.
4. Look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi, WLAN, or Wireless Security to view or change the Wi-Fi password.

If you want to change the network name instead, the steps are similar. See how to change the Wi-Fi name on a Spectrum router for an example of a provider-managed setup.

Default logins and ISP-supplied routers

If nobody ever changed the admin login, it is often something like admin with a password of admin, password, or blank, but this differs between brands and models. The label or the manual is the more reliable source. Many newer routers ask you to create your own admin password during setup, so there may be no universal default.

Routers supplied by an internet provider, including fibre providers such as ACT Fibernet, often have credentials unique to that device or controlled by the provider. Check the label first, then your provider’s support pages or app. Some providers manage settings through an account or app instead of a local admin page, and may have restricted what the local page allows.

Router vs. modem: which one has the password?

A modem connects your home to your internet provider. A router creates your home network and the Wi-Fi. Many providers supply a single box that does both, sometimes called a gateway. If you have two separate boxes, the Wi-Fi and admin passwords usually belong to the router. The modem may have its own label and login that you rarely need.

If the login page will not load

• Check that you are connected to the router you are trying to reach, not a guest network or an extender.
• Type the address into the address bar, not a search box.
• Try a different browser or a private window, since an old cached page can interfere.
• Turn off any VPN temporarily, because some VPNs interfere with local addresses.
• Try the Ethernet cable if you were using Wi-Fi.
• Restart the router and try again.

If you forgot the admin password: factory reset as a last resort

If you cannot recover the admin password, most routers have a small recessed Reset button. With the router powered on, you press and hold it with a paperclip for roughly 10 seconds or as long as your manual says, until the lights change. This returns the router to factory settings so the label’s defaults work again.

Be careful: a factory reset erases your custom Wi-Fi name and password, and any other settings you changed. Some internet providers also require login details (for example a username and password) to be entered again, so have those handy. If you use a provider-supplied router, consider contacting the provider first.

If the reset or recovery does not behave as expected on a Netgear, see Netgear password recovery not working and Netgear security questions not working.

After you get in: set your own passwords

Once you are logged in, choose a long, unique Wi-Fi password and a different admin password, and write them somewhere safe. Avoid personal details. If you plan to manage the router while away from home, read about the risks first in our guide to accessing your router from outside your home network.