How to Reset a Router Password

Knowing how to reset a router password usually comes down to one of two things: getting back into the admin settings, or changing the WiFi network password.

Below, both are covered separately, since the steps aren't the same.

How to Reset a Router Password: Admin vs. WiFi Which One Do You Need?

These two get mixed up constantly, and honestly, the naming doesn't help.The admin password controls access to the router's settings page the place where you'd change network names, security types, or parental controls.

The WiFi password is what a phone or laptop asks for when connecting to the network itself. You can know one and not the other.

In practice, most people only ever deal with the WiFi password and never touch the admin panel until something breaks.

If a login screen is asking for a username and password before showing any settings, that's the admin login. If a device is just asking to "join network," that's the WiFi password.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

• A device connected to the router, either through WiFi or an Ethernet cable
• The router's brand and model (usually printed on a label on the device itself)
• Physical access to the router, in case a factory reset becomes necessary

How to Reset Your Router's Admin Password

Step 1 — Access the router's login page. Open a browser and type in the router's IP address.

Most routers use 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.2.1, addresses that fall within the private IP ranges reserved for local networks, according to Wikipedia, though some brands use a custom address like a ".local" or ".com" domain instead of a number.

Step 2 — Try the default admin credentials. Many routers ship with "admin" as both the username and password, or leave the password blank.

The actual default is almost always printed on a sticker on the router itself that's usually faster than guessing.

Step 3 — Use the built-in recovery option, if the router has one.

Some routers offer a password-recovery flow instead of a hard reset typically triggered by entering the wrong login a few times, then verifying identity through the device's serial number or previously set security questions. Not every router model includes this feature.

Step 4 — If recovery isn't available, perform a factory reset. Locate the small reset button, usually recessed, on the back or underside of the router.

Hold it for 10–15 seconds using a pin or paperclip. This restores the default admin login but it also wipes custom settings, so it's a last resort rather than a first move.

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How to Reset Your Router's WiFi Password

Step 1 — Log into the router's admin interface using the steps above.

Step 2 — Find the Wireless or WiFi settings section. The exact label varies by brand, but it's usually somewhere near "Wireless Setup" or "Network Settings."

Step 3 — Enter a new password in the field labeled Password, Passphrase, or Shared Key, then save the change.

Step 4 — Reconnect your devices. Every device that was previously connected will drop off and need the new password entered again.

Choosing a Secure New Password

A strong password is generally at least eight characters, avoids anything personal or guessable, and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols.

For encryption type, WPA2 is the standard most routers default to now, and WPA3 is preferable where the router supports it.

According to Wikipedia, WPA2 and WPA3 were developed to replace the older WEP standard after researchers found serious weaknesses in it, so WEP is outdated and shouldn't be used if there's another option available.

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What Happens After You Reset Your Router's Password

A WiFi password change disconnects every device on the network temporarily nothing is lost, they just need to reconnect.

A factory reset is more disruptive: it erases the network name, saved WiFi password, port forwarding rules, and any custom configuration, resetting the router back to its out-of-box state.

Router Password Reset: Admin vs. WiFi vs. Factory Reset

Reset Type	What Gets Reset	What You Need	What's Lost
Admin password reset (recovery flow)	Login credentials only	Serial number and/or security questions	Nothing
WiFi password change	Network password only	Existing admin access	Devices disconnect temporarily
Factory reset	Everything	Physical access to reset button	All custom settings, saved WiFi name and password

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Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Still Can't Reset the Password

Default credentials don't work. This usually means someone already changed them. At that point, a factory reset is the remaining option.

No recovery option is available. Not every router includes a built-in recovery flow older or budget models often skip it entirely, going straight to factory reset as the only path back in.

The router doesn't respond after a factory reset. Give it a full minute or two to reboot. If it still won't respond, holding the reset button slightly longer, or unplugging and replugging the router first, sometimes resolves it.

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Conclusion

Resetting a router password comes down to knowing which password you actually need admin or WiFi then following the matching steps above.

Factory reset works as a fallback, but it's worth treating as the last option rather than the first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Reset a Router Password: Is It the Same as My WiFi Password?

No. The admin password logs into router settings; the WiFi password connects devices to the network. They can be identical, but they're set separately.

Will resetting my router password disconnect my devices?

Changing the WiFi password disconnects everything temporarily. Devices reconnect once the new password is entered.

What happens if I forget my password after a factory reset?

The router returns to its default login, so the original default credentials — usually printed on the device — will work again.

How often should I change my router password?

There's no fixed rule. Changing it after buying a used router, or if unauthorized devices appear on the network, is generally reasonable practice.

Can I reset my router password without physical access?

Only if the router supports remote or app-based management with recovery already set up. Otherwise, physical access is needed for a factory reset.