How to access a router’s configuration pages. In order to set up a router or change settings (such as the wireless password) you will need to browse to the configuration page of your router (almost like a mini website). So instead of typing the name of an external website like www.google.com you would instead type the IP address of the router e.g. 192.168.0.1 to take you to the router setup pages.
This article applies equally to wired routers, wireless routers, cable routers and ADSL (telephone broadband) routers.
What Is My Router’s IP Address? See how to Find the IP Address of a Router. Now that you know the IP address of your router you need to access the configuration pages.
How To Access Router Configuration Pages? Open your web browser and in the address bar type in just your router IP address including the dots e.g. 192.168.0.100 (do not type www. or http) and press ENTER. This should bring up a window asking you for either a username and a password or just a password.
Type in the username (if required) and the password then click Login (or OK or ENTER or similar depending upon your router). Your router configuration menus should now appear and you can proceed to set up your router.
But I Don’t Know the Router Username and/or Password! These should be detailed in the instruction manual that came with your router. However, if your router was provided by your broadband supplier then the details may be written somewhere on the router itself (usually underneath) or you may have to contact your supplier to find out the information.
If you still can’t find them, try visiting RouterPasswords and select the make of your router then click ‘Find Password’ to show a list of routers by your manufacturer with their default username and password. If your particular model is not shown then try the username and password for a different model by the same manufacturer.
Tip: Manufacturers often use the same username and password for most of their routers aimed at home users e.g. D-Link typically use admin and admin, Netgear typically use admin and password.
The Username and Password Don’t Work! If none of the combinations work and your router is not brand new then someone may have previously accessed the router configuration and changed the default password to something else – if they cannot tell you the new password then you may have no choice but to reset the router back to default factory settings and the default username and password (i.e. as it came from the shop) in order to access the router configuration.
How To Reset the Router to Factory Settings – By resetting your router back to factory settings you will permanently lose the current configuration and will have to set up the router again before you can access the internet or connect via wireless. Most routers can be reset to factory settings as follows:
- Make sure the router is switched on.
- Look for a small recessed button (usually found at the back of the router) – may be marked ‘Reset’.
- Use a pen or small pointed object to press and hold down the reset button for up to 30 seconds to reset the router to default factory settings.
- The lights on the router will usually go out or start flashing when the reset takes place – you can then release the button.
Once the router is reset you now need to set up the router before you can access the internet again or connect via wireless.