Which Password Did You Forget?
- Admin / router password — needed to open the router's settings page (at an address like 192.168.1.1). Start at "Recovering the admin password" below.
- Wi-Fi password — what devices type to join your network. Jump to "Recovering the Wi-Fi password" — you can often get this back without resetting anything.
Recovering the Admin (Router) Password
1. Check the sticker on the router
Most routers and ISP gateways from the last several years print a unique default admin password on a label on the bottom or back. If the admin password was never changed from the factory setting, this is it.
2. Try the brand default
Older routers use a brand-wide default — commonly admin/admin or admin/password. Look yours up in the default router passwords list, and watch for case sensitivity and the 0-vs-O mix-up.
3. Check a saved password or setup card
If you changed the admin password yourself, look in your password manager, browser-saved passwords, or the setup card that came with the router or from your ISP. There's no "forgot password" email for a router — it isn't connected to an account that can reset it.
4. Factory reset (the only recovery if it's truly lost)
If the admin password was changed and you can't find it anywhere, a factory reset is the only way back in. Hold the recessed Reset button for 10–30 seconds until the router restarts. It restores the default IP and default admin password — but erases all settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password. Read the factory reset guide first, and only do this when you're ready to set the router up again.
Recovering the Wi-Fi Password (Often Without a Reset)
If any device is still connected to the Wi-Fi, you can usually recover the password without touching the router.
From a connected Windows PC
Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → click your Wi-Fi network → Wireless Properties → Security tab → tick Show characters to reveal the saved key.
From a connected Mac
Open Keychain Access, search for your Wi-Fi network name, double-click it, and tick Show password (you'll enter your Mac password to reveal it).
From a phone
On modern Android and iPhone, open Wi-Fi settings, tap the connected network, and choose Share or the password/QR option to view or share the key with another device.
From the router's admin page
If you can still log in to the router (admin password known), the Wi-Fi password is shown in plain text under Wireless or Wi-Fi settings. This is also where you change it.
After You're Back In: Don't Lose It Again
- Store both passwords in a password manager — the admin and Wi-Fi passwords, labeled clearly.
- Set a strong, unique admin password — never reuse it. See change router admin password.
- Write the Wi-Fi password somewhere safe, or keep a guest QR code handy for visitors.
- Update the firmware while you're in the settings — see router firmware update.
Brand-Specific Reset Steps
For exact reset-button locations and login steps on your model:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recover a forgotten router admin password?
Check the sticker for a unique default and try the brand default. If you changed it and can't find it, there's no recovery other than a factory reset, which restores the default but erases all settings.
How do I find my Wi-Fi password without resetting?
From a still-connected device: Windows (Network and Sharing Center), macOS (Keychain Access), or a phone's Wi-Fi share/QR option. Or log in to the router and read it under wireless settings.
Does resetting erase the Wi-Fi password?
Yes — a factory reset wipes your custom Wi-Fi name and password along with all other settings, reverting to the factory defaults.
What's the difference between the router and Wi-Fi password?
The admin/router password opens the settings page; the Wi-Fi password connects devices. They're separate and should be different.