Router login: How to sign in and access your settings

Believe it or not, your router is not a “set it and forget it” type of device. Your Wi-Fi router is the mecca for your home network’s most important settings. Here’s how to log in to yours and what you can control once you gain access. 

Why log in to your Wi-Fi router?

• Change your network name and password: TESCE423758768 seemed like a perfectly suitable name for your Wi-Fi network initially. When you’re ready to switch up the default name and password, you can do so by logging into the device. 
• Change your router login: This is the login information you’ll need to log in to your router. Update as soon as possible from the default for network security.
• Choose your security level: Select the best security mode to protect your sensitive information from watchful eyes. 
• Select a channel: Put those dual channels on your device to good use. Choose between the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels to transmit data or set your router to automatically find the best channel.

How to log in to your router?

There are multiple ways to log in to a router depending on the brand, but there are commonalities between every popular manufacturer that we can look to for the basics. 

You’ll need your router login information and your IP address to complete your login. 

1. Launch a web browser like Google Chrome, Edge or Safari. 
2. Type your IP address into the search bar and press Enter.
3. Your router’s login page will appear. Type in your default username and password unless you’ve already changed it to a unique one. 

How to find your IP address?

To find your router’s IP address for Windows devices, type the command “ipconfig” and hit your Return key, then type “arp -a.” A list of the IP addresses for devices connected to your network should show.

On a Mac, go into your System Preferences, click Network, then Advanced and then the TCP/IP tab, which should show you a list of devices, including your router.

Most major router brands use 192.168. 1.1 or 192.168. 2.1 as the default router IP address: Asus, Cisco, Huawei, TP-Link, Netgear, Linksys, Zyxel and others.

If you are looking for your network’s IP address, open a web browser and type “what’s my IP address” and it will appear at the top of your screen.

What if I don’t know my login credentials?

If you don’t know your default login information, you may find it in the user’s manual or see the brand name routers and their log-in procedures below. You can also use the Router Passwords site to search for the manufacturer’s default username and password.

Some systems also provide a password recovery feature similar to those on your email and social media. Be sure you’re in close proximity to your device in case they ask for information located at the bottom of your router, like the serial number. 

Big brands often have general rules for how users log in to their devices.

How to login to your Netgear router

To log in to a Netgear router, you won’t usually need the IP address at all. 

1. Go to http://www.routerlogin.com to get to the login page. 
2. The username for Netgear devices is typically admin and the password is password.
3. Choose Wireless on the homepage menu to change your router settings.

How to log into your Asus router

You can locate the IP address of your Asus router by going to the Asus support page and locating your model.

1. Type your IP address to your web browser to get to your router login page.
2. The default username and password for Asus devices are typically admin. 

Go to Wireless Settings on the left side to edit your router settings.

How to log in to your Linksys router

Linksys routers usually use the IP address: 192.168.1.1.

1. Type 192.168.1.1 into your web browser search and press Enter. 
2. The default login information for Linksys uses the username: Access Router and the password: admin as the default.
3. Choose Basic Wireless Settings from the Wireless option in the general menu to edit settings as you please. 

As you can see, the default login information initially assigned to your equipment is general and widespread knowledge. It’s best to change these credentials as soon as possible to secure your home network.

Using an app to log in to your router

Most major router brands offer an app to handle your router settings and there are also several generic apps available as well.

Popular brands like Linksys, Asus and TP-Link are among the many companies offering their own apps for their products. Nonbrand apps like Wifi Analyzer, WiFi Router Master and All Router Admin are popular ones, according to TechViral.Net.

Most of the apps generally give you access to change all of the router’s settings easily from your phone like parental controls, seeing who is using your network, blocking users and more.

Frequently Asked Questions