How to Change the Password on Your Router or Switch GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking

How Do I Change My Wi-Fi Router Password?

Keep your password updated to keep your network secure

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 18, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless You should change your router, switch, and other network hardware password when your network security is compromised. Before this happens, though, change the password so these devices don't use the default password the factory set. These default passwords are published online and freely available. Your Wi-Fi router uses two passwords, and they're usually (and should be) different. The one this page describes is the password that lets you log in to your router to make changes to it; the other is the password your Wi-Fi devices use to access the internet. Learn how to change your Wi-Fi password if you need to do that instead.

How to Change Your Router Switch or Other Network Hardware Device Password

You can change the password from the Administration, Security, or other similarly named page within the administrative console for the device. See how to log in to your router if this is your first time. The exact steps involved in doing this can differ from device to device, and especially from manufacturer to manufacturer. See how to change the default password on a network router for a tutorial specific to a Netgear router. The same general steps apply to most routers, switches, and other network devices. If you have problems changing the password and need more specific help, the hardware manufacturer's website should provide specific information for changing the password. Most manufacturers also have downloadable manuals available for each device model they sell.
How to Find Product Manuals and Other Tech Support Information If the default password was changed, but you don't know the new one, you'll have to reset the device to factory defaults. You can do that by performing a specific sequence of actions on the hardware, details of which you can also find in the device manual. After you reset the hardware, you can access it with the default login information and then change the password.

What Should the Password Be

It's up to you! You can make it something meaningful to you or something completely random. Either way, there are a few things to remember when choosing a password for your router, switch, etc. One of the reasons to change the default password is because new network hardware often come with a known password to make the first-time login easy. The password is usually something incredibly simple like admin. That password is completely fine the first day you use the router, because it means you won't have any complications getting into it. But the security risk leaving it that way is obvious: everyone else knows it, too! At the very least, change the password to anything else—add a number or some other letters to the default password to make it marginally more complex. But ideally, just like how you're encouraged to make a strong password for your bank account and email, you should also use one here. Here's a list of strong password examples to help you think about how to make your own.
We recommend storing your complex password in a password manager. You can learn more about password managers here, including whether they're actually safe. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire D-Link Default Password List (Updated October 2022) Linksys E900 (N300) Default Password NETGEAR Default Password List (Updated October 2022) Linksys E1000 Default Password How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password How to Connect to Your Home Router as an Administrator D-Link DIR-600 Default Password How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on an iPhone Linksys E4200 default password D-Link DIR-655 Default Password Linksys EA2700 Default Password How to Kick People off Your Wi-Fi Can a Router Get a Virus? Cisco Default Password List (Updated October 2022) NETGEAR DGN2200 Default Password NETGEAR WNR1000 Default Password Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies