How to Find Your Router Password on Windows 10

Log in to your router and change your Wi-Fi network settings

By Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on January 13, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
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Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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What to Know

  • Check for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router to find the password, user name, network name (SSID), and network key.
  • If there's no sticker, go to the Router Passwords site and search for your router's manufacturer and model.
  • If your router password isn't working, factory reset your router to restore the default user name and password.

This article explains how to find your router password on Windows 10. Use your router password to access your network settings.

The most common default router passwords are admin and password. Router login user names and passwords are case-sensitive.

How Do I Find Out What My Router Password Is On Windows 10?

Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. Most routers list the user name and password alongside the network name (SSID) and network key.

Finding your router's password is independent of Windows 10. It doesn't matter which operating system you are running, all the steps below are the same regardless of what you are using.

If you don't see a sticker, you can look up your router's manufacturer and model online to find the default user name and password. Look for the brand and model number on the device, or check the manual.

Password on a Netgear router

When you have the information you need, follow these steps to find your router's default password:

  1. In a web browser, go to the Router Passwords site.

  2. Choose your router manufacturer from the dropdown list, then select Find Password.

    Routerpassword website with Find Password highlighted

  3. Look for your router model. The password will be listed in the far-right column.

Router Password vs Wi-Fi Password

Your router's password is not the same as your network key. The network key, or Wi-Fi password, is the password you use to connect with your router's wireless network. You can find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10 if you're already connected to the network.

The router password is used to access your router's settings, in case you need to set up port forwarding, change your IP address, or configure your security settings. You must also know your router's user name and IP address to log in to your router.

To better protect your home network from hackers, change your router's password and change your default Wi-Fi key.

Why Doesn't My Router Password Work?

The default password may have been changed. Factory reset your router to restore the default password, user name, Wi-Fi network name, and network password.

FAQ
  • How do I find my router's IP address on Windows 10?

    To find the default gateway IP address for your router, open Command Prompt, enter ipconfig, then press Enter. Look next to Default Gateway to find the IP address.

  • How do I set up my router on Windows 10?

    To set up a Wi-Fi network, connect your router to your modem with an Ethernet cable and power on both devices, then wirelessly connect your PC to the new network. Extra steps you should take when setting up your router include changing the SSID and updating the MAC address.

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