How to Reset a Router Password (Admin or Wi-Fi) — Step-by-Step Guide

To know how to reset a router password: press and hold the reset button for 10–15 seconds to restore factory defaults. Default credentials are on the label on the router.

But there are two different passwords on every router — and mixing them up sends most people down the wrong path.

First, Figure Out Which Password You're Actually Dealing With

This is the step almost every guide skips, which is why people end up resetting things they didn't need to reset.

Admin Password vs. Wi-Fi Password

The router admin password is what you use to log into your router's settings page — the control panel where you change network names, set up port forwarding, manage parental controls, and so on. It's accessed through a browser, not through your device's Wi-Fi settings.

The Wi-Fi password (sometimes called a passphrase or network key) is what your phone, laptop, and other devices use to connect to the network. Completely different thing.

What's often overlooked is that you can forget one without losing the other. Most people who think they've "forgotten their router password" have actually just forgotten their Wi-Fi password — which is a much easier fix.

Which Situation Applies to You?

• Forgot your Wi-Fi password but can still log into the router admin panel → go to Step 2
• Forgot your router admin password and can't access the settings page → go to Step 3
• Never changed either password and don't know the defaults → start with Step 1

Step 1 — Try the Default Credentials Before Resetting Anything

This is the most overlooked step. A factory reset wipes everything — your custom settings, saved configurations, sometimes even your ISP login details. So it's worth trying the defaults first.

Where to Find Default Login Information

Flip your router over. On the back or underside, you'll find a sticker. It typically shows:

• The default Wi-Fi name (SSID)
• The default Wi-Fi password
• The default admin username and password
• The router's IP address (usually something like 192.168.1.1)

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, check the original box or the manufacturer's website. Most brands publish default credentials by model number.

Common defaults you'll see across most routers:

Other IP addresses you might encounter: 192.168.2.1, 10.0.0.1 (used by some Apple and older ISP-supplied routers).

To access the admin panel, connect to your router (via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable), open a browser, and type the IP address directly into the address bar — not the search bar. Hit Enter, and the login page should appear.

Step 2 — How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password (When You Can Log In)

If you can still access the router admin panel, changing the Wi-Fi password takes about two minutes.

Access the Admin Panel

Open a browser on a device that's connected to your router. Type the router's IP address into the address bar and log in with your admin credentials.

If you're locked out of the Wi-Fi itself and can't connect wirelessly, plug in an Ethernet cable directly from your computer to the router. This bypasses the Wi-Fi entirely.

Navigate to Wireless Settings

Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings, or Wireless Setup. The exact label varies by brand, but it follows a similar structure across most routers.

Change the Password and Save

Find the field labelled Password, Passphrase, or Shared Key. Type your new password, then save.

A few things worth noting here:

• Use WPA2 or WPA3 as your security type. WEP is outdated and genuinely easy to crack — according to Wikipedia, a WEP key can be recovered using freely available software in minutes. Avoid it.
• A strong password is at least 8 characters and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols. Nothing personal, nothing guessable.
• Once you save, every device currently connected will be kicked off. They'll need the new password to reconnect.

Step 3 — How to Reset a Router Password You've Forgotten (Factory Reset)

If you've forgotten the admin password and the defaults don't work, a factory reset is your only real option. This is the nuclear approach — effective, but not without consequences.

What a Factory Reset Actually Erases

This is the part most guides gloss over, and it catches people off guard.

That last point matters. If your ISP connection requires a username and password (common with DSL or fibre setups), your router may have been storing those quietly.

After a reset, you'll need to re-enter them manually. If you don't have them, you'll need to contact your ISP.

How to Reset a Router Password Using the Reset Button

1. Make sure the router is powered on.
2. Find the reset button — it's usually a small pinhole on the back or underside, sometimes labelled "Reset" or "Restore Factory Settings."
3. Use a straightened paperclip, pin, or similar thin tool to press and hold the button.
4. Hold for 10–15 seconds until the router's indicator lights change or the device restarts.
5. Release and wait. Full reboot takes 1–2 minutes.

After the Reset — What to Do Next

Once the router restarts, connect to it using the default credentials from the label. Then:

• Set a new Wi-Fi name and password
• Set a new admin password — and write it down somewhere safe
• Re-enter your ISP login details if required
• Rebuild any custom settings (port forwarding, parental controls, DNS)

In practice, most people underestimate how many custom settings they'd accumulated. It's not a disaster, but it does take time.

Step 4 — Special Cases Worth Knowing About

ISP-Supplied or Locked Routers

Routers provided by your internet service provider — BT Hubs, Virgin Media routers, Xfinity Gateways — sometimes have admin panels that are partially or fully locked. You may not have full access to all settings, and some credentials may be controlled by the ISP rather than you.

If the standard process doesn't work on an ISP-supplied router, contact your ISP directly. They can often reset it remotely or walk you through the correct steps for that specific device.

App-Managed and Mesh Routers

Newer mesh systems — Eero, Google Nest WiFi, TP-Link Deco — don't use a traditional browser-based admin panel. Everything is managed through a smartphone app. Password changes happen in the app, not via a browser IP address.

As data from Wikipedia on Wi-Fi Protected Access notes, WPA3 support has been mandatory for all Wi-Fi Certified devices since July 2020 — most modern mesh routers ship with it enabled by default, which is worth confirming in your app settings after any reset.

That said, the physical reset button still exists on these devices and still works as a last resort. The process after reset will require going back through the app setup.

If the Reset Button Doesn't Seem to Work

Make sure the router is powered on before pressing the button. Some models need the button held slightly longer, or have a two-stage sequence.

Check the manufacturer's documentation for your exact model — a quick search for your router model name plus "factory reset" usually turns up the precise steps.

Quick Reference — Reset Types at a Glance

Conclusion

Check the sticker first. Try default credentials before touching the reset button. If a factory reset is unavoidable, know what you'll lose — especially ISP login details — and have a plan for reconfiguring once the router restarts.

Resetting is simple. Being prepared for what comes after is the part most guides forget to mention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my router disconnect all my devices?

Yes. A factory reset restores the default Wi-Fi name and password, so every device loses its connection and needs to reconnect using the restored default credentials.

Can I reset the admin password without losing all my settings?

No. The admin password is part of the router's stored configuration. The only way to reset it is a full factory reset, which clears all custom settings along with it.

What if I don't know my ISP login details after a factory reset?

Contact your ISP. They can provide the credentials or, in many cases, push a fresh configuration to your router remotely.

How long do I hold the reset button?

Generally 10–15 seconds, though this varies by model. Hold until the indicator lights change or the router visibly restarts.

Is the Wi-Fi password the same as the router admin password?

No. The Wi-Fi password connects devices to the network. The admin password logs you into the router's settings page. They are separate and can be changed independently.