How to Log In to Your Router (192.168.1.1)

To change your Wi-Fi password, forward a port, see which devices are connected or check your internet settings, you need to log in to your router's admin page. You reach it from a web browser by typing the router's local IP address, which on many devices is 192.168.1.1. This guide walks you through finding the right address, the username and password to use, what to do if you've forgotten the password, how to fix a login page that won't load, and which security settings to change once you're in.

What Is the Default Gateway?

The computers, phones and TVs in your home don't connect to the internet directly; they go through your router. The local IP address of that exit point, where your devices send all traffic headed outside your home network, is called the default gateway, and it's also the address of the router's admin page.

Many internet providers supply a single box that combines a modem, a router and a Wi-Fi access point, so people often use “modem” and “router” interchangeably. If you have a separate router or mesh system connected to your provider's box, your devices' default gateway is that second device.

Don't confuse the gateway with the public IP address shown on our home page. Your public IP is the address your provider assigns to your router and the one every website sees. The gateway is a local address such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x that only works inside your home network. We explain the difference in detail on our What is my IP address page.

How to Find Your Router's IP Address

Rather than guessing, the most reliable way is to look up the gateway on a device that's connected to the router. Make sure you're on the router's Wi-Fi network or plugged into it with a cable, then follow the steps for your system.

Windows

Press Win + R, type cmd and run ipconfig in the window that opens. The “Default Gateway” line under the connection you're using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) is your router's address.

macOS

Go to System Settings → Wi-Fi, click Details next to the network you're connected to and look at the Router line on the TCP/IP tab. In Terminal, the gateway line of route -n get default shows the same thing.

Linux

Run ip route in a terminal. In the line that starts with something like default via 192.168.1.1 dev wlan0, the address after via is your gateway.

Android

Open Settings → Network & internet → Internet, tap the Wi-Fi network you're connected to and look for the Gateway or Router line. Menu names vary by phone maker and Android version; on some phones the information sits under an “Advanced” section.

iPhone and iPad

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and tap the (i) icon next to your network. The address in the Router field is your router's IP address.

Common Router IP Addresses

The default address depends on the brand, the model and any changes your provider made; even different models from the same brand can use different addresses. The addresses below are common examples, but use one of the methods above to find your exact address.

Some brands also offer an easy-to-remember name such as tplinkwifi.net or routerlogin.net that only works from inside their network. If your router has one, it's printed on the label or in the manual.

Router Username and Password

Type the address into your browser's address bar and press Enter, and a login page should appear. The login details are usually printed on a label on the bottom or back of the router, under a heading such as “Admin password,” “Web password” or “Username / Password.” Don't mix it up with the Wi-Fi password on the same label; on some devices they're identical, but on most they're different.

• Older routers often shipped with the same simple default login on every unit of a model. Most current devices have a unique password generated for each unit and printed on its label.
• Some ISP-supplied routers don't print the admin password at all, or only give you a limited user account. In that case, contact your provider's customer support.
• If you or an installer changed the password before, the details on the label no longer work.
• After several failed attempts, some routers lock the login page for a few minutes; wait a bit and try again.

What You Can Do in the Router Admin Page

Menu names differ between brands, but most routers group these settings under similar headings:

• Wi-Fi name and password: usually in the security settings of the “Wireless,” “WLAN” or “Wi-Fi” menu. After changing the password, every device has to reconnect with the new one.
• Connected devices: sections such as “DHCP client list,” “Attached devices” or “Network map” list every device on your network with its local IP address. If you spot a device you don't recognize, change your Wi-Fi password.
• Internet (WAN) status: shows whether the connection is up and which IP address the router received from your provider. If it's in the 100.64.0.0/10 range (starting with anything from 100.64 to 100.127), you're behind CGNAT.
• Port forwarding, DNS and IPv6: usually found under “Advanced,” “NAT” or “Network.”

Forgot the Password? Factory Reset

If you don't know the admin password and the details on the label don't work, the last resort is a factory reset. With the router powered on, press the small Reset button in the pinhole on the back with a paper clip or pin and hold it for about 10 seconds; the exact time varies by model, so check the manual if you're unsure. The lights will flash, the router restarts, and you can log in with the default details from the label.

If the Router Login Page Won't Open

• Be on the right network: your phone should be on the router's Wi-Fi, not mobile data. Guest networks usually can't reach the admin page.
• Use the address bar: type the address into the address bar, not the search box, in the form http://192.168.1.1. Many routers don't support HTTPS, so if your browser switches the address to https on its own, type http:// explicitly. On routers that do use HTTPS, a certificate warning is normal.
• Try another browser: open the page in a private window or a different browser, and clear the browser cache.
• Turn off your VPN or proxy: some VPN apps send local network traffic through the tunnel too, which blocks access to the router.
• Double-check the gateway: if there's a second router or a mesh system behind your provider's box, the address of the device you're connected to is different. Some mesh systems can only be managed through a mobile app.
• Restart: restart the router and your device, and try again over an Ethernet cable if you can.

After You Log In: Security Checklist

1. Change the admin password: pick a long, hard-to-guess password that's different from your Wi-Fi password.
2. Check Wi-Fi encryption: use WPA2 (AES) or, if your devices support it, WPA3. WEP and WPA (TKIP) are no longer secure. Make your Wi-Fi password at least 12 characters long.
3. Turn off WPS: push-button pairing is convenient, but the PIN method in particular is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
4. Disable remote management: if “Remote access” or “Remote management” is on and you don't really need it, turn it off so the admin page isn't exposed to the internet.
5. Update the firmware: updates close security holes. ISP-supplied routers are often updated remotely; on a router you bought yourself, check for updates regularly.
6. Review UPnP: UPnP lets programs open ports automatically. Unless you need it, for example for a game console, it's safer to turn it off.
7. Use a guest network: keep visitors and smart home devices on a network separate from your main one.

Once you're logged in, if you want to open a port for a security camera, a game server or remote access, follow our port forwarding guide.