Master the Basics: Connect to Your Home Router as an Administrator

This article explains how to connect to your router as an administrator. These steps are applicable to most routers and modems.

How to Log In to a Router

There are numerous reasons why you might need to access your router as an administrator. One fundamental task is to change the default password or username, but this is also how you set up a Wi-Fi network for your devices, view your router's history logs, and much more.

You can log in to the router via a web browser, provided you're connected over Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. Here's how:

1. Identify the IP address of the router. Most routers are manufactured to use a default address such as 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1, or 192.168.1.100.

   Some routers are not accessed in the way described here. Most are, but some, especially newer routers, require different (and often easier) steps that involve a mobile app.

2. Open the IP address as a URL in a web browser from any device that's connected to the router. Make sure to include the HTTP portion in this format:
   

    http://192.168.1.1
   

3. Enter the admin login information—username and password—to authenticate and access the router's settings.

Routers are shipped with default usernames and passwords—usually, the word admin is the default username, but it could be different for your router. Some routers might not have a password or username.

Default passwords and usernames are published online for NETGEAR, D-Link, Linksys, and Cisco routers. If you have a different router, consult the router documentation or the manufacturer's website.

What If I Can't Access My Router?

If you get an error when trying to log in to the router, your computer might not be connected to the correct router, or the username and password combination might be wrong.

If you're certain that you're using the correct IP address to access the router, try the following, testing your connection to the router after each step:

1. Reboot the router.

2. Temporarily disable any firewall on your device.

3. Reset your router to factory defaults.

   This action restores the router to its default condition with the original IP address, username, and password. You'll lose any customizations you've made, including Wi-Fi networks and port forwarding rules.

Administer a Router Over Wi-Fi

Setting up a router for the first time is best done over a wired connection to prevent the connection from being dropped if the security or wireless settings are changed during the process.

When you access a router over Wi-Fi, keep the computer close to the router, in the same room if possible, to avoid connection drops due to interference or weak wireless signals.