How to Recover a Router Password

Router settings can be updated and changed by accessing your router’s internal administration console. To get to this console, you input the router’s IP into a browser’s address bar. You will then be prompted to log in with a username and password. If you do not know this password, and if it has been changed from default setting you will need to recover the router password.

  1. Before you try resetting/recovering your lost password, try to use the default settings. Look at the router hardware itself. This information will be listed either on an information sticker or see if it is written on the product info found underneath.
  2. If you can, do an internet search for the default settings. Search by using the name of company that manufactured your router, such as Netgear, Linksys, etc. Router manufactures will typically use the same usernames and password for their models.
  3. If you are not able to connect by trying any of the above, then you will need to reset to factory settings. You will need to do this on the router device. Look for a button that says “reset”. This button will typically be a small hole, AKA a pinhole. You will need to use something small (like a paperclip) to press in the hole. Hold for a few seconds.
  4. The router may blink or beep, or give you some indication it has reset successfully. You can then login using the default password settings found on the router.

Once inside you can change the password into something custom if you wish. However remember to write it down and keep it safe. If you lose your admin login credentials, you will have to reset your router to factory settings once again.