Do you want to learn how to recover your router password? Router passwords are crucial to accessing the web interface of your router. But what if you forgot it and could get into your router settings? That’s truly annoying, especially when you need to update your Wi-Fi name, change settings, or connect a new device. But don’t worry because reading this tutorial will teach you how to recover any wireless router password easily.
The Two Types of Router Passwords
Before we get into the steps of recovering your router password, let us know first the two main passwords you might be trying to recover in the future:
- Wi-Fi Password: This is what you enter when connecting a phone, laptop, or smart TV to your wireless network. This is the one you need to change to avoid your network being hacked.
- Admin Password: This is used to log into your router’s settings page through a web browser. This is what you are using on the login page of your router.
How to Recover the Admin Password
Let us now tackle the ways you can try to recover your admin password:
Method 1: Find the Username and Password
Most routers have a sticker on the back containing the default login details. That means all you have to do is look for the sticker on your router. Most of the time, it is placed at the bottom of the router. Best WiFi routers, such as ASUS routers, TP-Link devices, CenturyLink routers, and Verizon routers, are known to have this sticker. You can also search for the username and password online, as some default logins are available online
Method 2: Read the Router’s Manual
You might think all the routers from a single manufacturer bear the same login details. But no, it isn’t always the case. They change both the username and password as the model varies. That’s how it works. Otherwise, it would be easy for everyone to guess all the routers’ access codes.
So the idea to recover the router password is not the same as the other router device. The first place you should check to get the router credentials is the manual then the sticker. In some instances, it is provided by the ISP technicians or operators.
Method 3: Visit RouterPasswords.com
RouterPasswords site is where you can find the database of various router credentials. Using the search bar on the site, you can find the brand and model of your router alongside the necessary details.
If you can’t find the login credentials for your specific router model or brand, you need to perform your last resort; it is resetting your router to its factory settings.
Reset Your Router
Resetting your router is not difficult; you only need to prepare a straightened object; it could be a pin or anything pointed. Please note that you will lose all the changes you made to your router settings. So your router will get back to the brand-new state. Once resetting happens, you can log in using default details. If you have decided to reset your router, follow the steps below:
- Locate the hole on the back or bottom of your router.
- Using a pin, press the button inside the hole for 10 seconds until all the indicator LEDs light up.
- Wait for the router to reboot and return to its working state.
- That’s it! You can now log in again and use the default login details found on the back of your router.
Recovering SSID Password
As I have mentioned above, there are two router passwords, another one is the SSID password. This one is what you use in connecting to the router’s network. But what if you have forgotten it? Easy! Just follow the steps below:
Use a Connected Device
If you have a device already connected to the Wi-Fi, you can view the saved password. If you are using Windows, just follow the steps below:
- Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center
- Click your Wi-Fi network name
- Click Wireless Properties > Security Tab
- Check the box next to Show characters to reveal the password
If you are using Mac:
- Open Keychain Access
- Search for your Wi-Fi network name
- Double-click the network > check Show Password (you’ll need your Mac login)
Use Your Router’s Admin Page
If the password was changed and you don’t remember it, you can still recover it through your router’s settings if you know the admin password.
- Open a browser and type your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
- Log in using the router’s admin credentials
- Go to Wireless Settings > Wireless Security or similar
- You will see the current WiFi password used for your router’s network
Recovering your router password is easy. Whether you’re trying to connect a new device or protect your network, these steps will help you take back control in just a few minutes.
And if you’ve been putting off changing your password and WiFi name, now’s a great time to do it. Bookmark this guide so you’ll have it handy next time you need it!