Default Router Passwords — Why You Must Change Them
Every router ships with a known default username and password. Leaving these unchanged makes your router trivially easy to compromise.
Updated 2026
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1
Understand the risk
Default passwords like admin/admin or admin/password are publicly listed online. Anyone on your network — or who can guess your WiFi password — can access your router if you haven't changed the admin password.
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2
Find your current default
Check the label on the bottom or back of your router, or find it on the matching brand or IP page on this site.
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3
Log in and change the password
Open your gateway IP, sign in with the default credentials, then find Administration, Management, or System settings.
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4
Set a strong unique admin password
Use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Don't reuse your WiFi password or any other account password.
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5
Also change the WiFi password
The admin password and WiFi password are separate — change both. A strong WiFi password limits who can reach the admin panel in the first place.