Most routers come with a default IP address and login credentials, which vary from one manufacturer to the next. If you haven’t bothered to go in and make changes to your network settings, you may find that you can still access the admin panel using that information.
After you’ve gained access to your router’s settings, you can change how your network is displayed, who can access it, and make sure your connection is secure. It would also be a great time to change that default username and password so that no one else can use this guide to change the access protocols back.
Linksys
Most Linksys routers have the same default settings as the popular WRT54G, a router that’s known for its powerful versatility, and its ability to be flashed with custom firmware. The admin panel can be accessed on most Linksys routers by navigating to 192.168.1.1 in the address bar of your Web browser, and by logging in with the default username and password. They are both “admin” without the quotation marks.
If you’re using a Linksys router designed specifically for Comcast, or you’re renting one from them, the username may instead be “comcast,” and the password may be “1234.” You’ll want to make sure to change the passwords of your router the first time you log in, lest you leave yourself susceptible to anyone on your Wi-Fi network accessing your router’s admin settings page.
Belkin
For almost all Belkin routers, the default IP will be 192.168.2.1, which is slightly different from many other manufacturers. Due to the method in which login credentials are set up, chances are you won’t have to enter anything in the username and password fields when trying to access the admin panel. By default, Belkin routers have no password on the admin account. The username field should either be blank, or may require you to type in “admin” instead.You’ll definitely want to change the username and password if you have a Belkin router. It’s simple for someone with access to your network to make changes in the admin panel that could cause holes in security, or allow them to install malware, and hacking software.
Netgear
While a number of Netgear routers may have the login credentials printed on the bottom or back of the device, Netgear has made it easy to access your admin panel even if it’s not written down. If you’re using a Netgear router, simply entering http://www.routerlogin.net in the address bar of your Web browser allows you to change settings, and turn on wireless security. The login username will almost always be “admin,” while the password will either be “password,” or “1234” if you’re on an older device.While having a text URL can be easy to remember, it also makes your router’s settings more vulnerable. If someone has access to your network, they don’t need to determine its IP address. For this reason, it’s particularly important to change the default login to prevent unwanted changes to network settings.
Asus
Almost all Asus routers use a standard 192.168.1.1 as the default IP, making it easy to access simply by typing that IP address into your browser. The username and password should be “admin” on almost all models and firmware revisions. These default passwords can help if you’ve never changed the settings before, but it’s recommended that you change them the first time you access the admin panel to prevent unauthorized access by anyone who’s able to access your Wi-Fi network.Other routers
Regardless of your router brand or model, there is a surefire way to find its IP address even if it isn’t operating on the default settings. If you’re running Windows 7, you can open a command prompt by typing “command” into the search field in the Start menu, and clicking the top result. In the window that opens, type “ipconfig” to bring up a page with information on your network’s connection.
If you’re running Mac OS X, this information can be found in the System Preferences application. Under Network, select the tab that corresponds to your current connection (wired or wireless), and the IP address of your router will appear as “Router,” or “Default Gateway,” depending on the version of your operating system.
There are many different companies that make routers, and if yours isn’t listed here, RouterPasswords has compiled a large database of default usernames and passwords sorted by make and model. If you find that you aren’t able to log in to the admin panel with one of these, then your login credentials may have been changed at some point.
You can get around this by performing a factory reset on your router. The process that involves doing this depends on the model you have, but instructions can be found in the router’s documentation, along with the default settings that will allow you to reconnect and update settings after the reset is completed.
If you can’t find the official documentation, simply Googling “manual” or “pdf” along with the make and model of your router should help you find it in no time.