How to Change the Default Password on a Network Router

You should change your router's default administrative password to avoid unwanted users from accessing your network. Here's how to do it.

Change the Default Password on a Network Router

An administrative account lets you manage your network router. As part of the router manufacturing process, vendors set a default username and default password for this account that apply to all units of a particular model. These defaults are public knowledge and known to anyone who can perform a basic web search.

You should immediately change the router's administrative password after installing it to increase your home network's security. It doesn't by itself protect the router from Internet hackers, but it can prevent nosy neighbors, friends of your children, or other household guests from disrupting your home network (or worse).

The exact steps will vary depending on the router's specific model, but the process is similar in any case. It only takes about one minute.

1. Log in to the router's administrative console (web interface) through a web browser using the current password and username. If unsure how to find your router's address, we can help you figure out your router's IP address.

2. Enter the default user name and password to log in to your router's dashboard.

3. In the router's administrative console, navigate to the page where you can change its password setting. In this example, the Administration tab at the top of the screen contains the Linksys router's password setting. (Other routers may keep this setting under Security menus or other locations.)

4. Enter a strong password in the Password box, and re-enter the same password a second time in the space provided.

   The router intentionally hides the characters (replaces them with dots) as you type as an added security feature in case other people besides the administrator are watching the screen.

5. The password change is not applied to the router until you save or confirm it. In this example, select the Save Settings button at the bottom of the page to have the new password take effect. You might see a confirmation window appear briefly to confirm you successfully changed the password change. The new password takes effect immediately; rebooting the router is not required.