The Download

• To log in to a router, you need to know its IP address, password, and username.
• Many routers can be accessed in a web browser through this URL:http://192.168.1.1. Others require an app.
• If you can't log in, confirm the router's IP address and credentials. Then, reboot the router or reset its software.

This article explains how to connect to your router as an administrator. These steps work for nearly any router and modem.

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 (usually easier) steps that involve a mobile app.

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

    http://192.168.1.1

3. Enter the adminlogin information-the username and password-to authenticate and access the router's settings.

   

Routers are shipped with default usernames and passwords-usually, the wordadmin 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 manufacturer's website.

If you want to access a router outside your network, enable Remote Administration. You'll need to know the router's external IP address for this to work. However, this type of connection isn't guaranteed even if the remote admin setting is on since the IP address can easily change (if it's a dynamic IP, which most home networks are).

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

How to Reboot a Router & Modem

Administer a Router Over Wi-Fi

Setting up a router for the first time is best done over a wired connection so that the connection isn't dropped if the security or wireless settings are changed in 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.

FAQ

• How do I access my router settings from my smartphone?

  To log in to your router on your phone, connect to your Wi-Fi network, install the mobile app for your router, and then create an account or log in. From the app, you can change your Wi-Fi password, turn on port forwarding, enable remote access, and more.

• What's the difference between a modem and a router?

  The main difference between a modem and a router is that the modem actually connects to the internet. The router disperses your internet connection to devices throughout your home and can provide Wi-Fi connections as well.