Reset a Linksys Router Password

In order to reset your router, you'll need to restore it to its original factory settings, and then choose a new password.[1]

Steps

Resetting the Linksys Router

  1. Turn on the router. Most Linksys routers don't have an on/off switch, but turn on automatically when you plug it into an outlet.
  2. Reset the router. Wait until the Power light is blinking and then press and hold the Reset button for 10 seconds.
    • The Reset button is usually at the back of the router near the power cord, but its location can change depending on the model.
    • Older Linksys routers require you to press and hold the reset button on the router for 30 seconds to reset it.
  3. Turn off the router and turn it on again. Unplug the router to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it in again to turn it back on. This is called power-cycling.
  4. Wait for the Power light to stop blinking. If the power light doesn't stop blinking, turn the router off, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it on again.
  5. Connect the router to your computer. Connect the router to a PC using its ethernet cable. You can use any of the ethernet ports on the router to connect it to the computer.
    • When it's connected to a computer with an ethernet cable, the ethernet port light will light up.
  6. Connect the router to your modem. Turn off your modem, plug the router into the modem. Turn the modem back on again.
    • At this point, the modem is connected to the internet port in your wall and the computer. The router is connected to the modem. The computer should not also be connected to the router.

Logging in to the Linksys Router

  1. Open a web browser.
  2. Go to the router administrations screen. In the browser address bar, type http://192.168.1.1/
  3. Enter the default username and password. When the Linksys router administration screen loads, in the User name field, type admin. In the Password field, type admin.
    • If the username and password didn't work, [click here] for a list of default Linksys router passwords. If you don't know your Linksys router model number, it's located on the bottom of the router.

Setting the Admin Password with a Cable Modem

  1. Change your username and password. When the Linksys setup page loads, find the User name and Password fields. If you don't see them, click the Setup tab, and then click the Basic tab. Enter a new username and password.
    • Be sure to write down your username and password in case you forget them.
  2. Go to the MAC Address Clone tab. Click the Setup tab, and then click MAC Address Clone.[2]
    • MAC stands for Media Access Control and is the unique ID your cable internet service provider (ISP) uses to recognize your modem.
  3. Assign the MAC address to the router. In the Mac Address Clone section, click the Enabled radio button. Click Clone My PC's MAC. Click Save Settings.
  4. Check the internet connection status. Click the Status tab. Look for Internet IP Address. If you see numbers other than 0.0.0.0, then it's setup correctly. If not, then click Release IP Address, and then click Renew IP Address.
    • If you still aren't connected to the internet, powercycle the modem. Then power-cycle the router. Finally, powercycle the computer.
    • If you're still having trouble connecting to the internet, contact your ISP.

Setting the Admin Password with a DSL Modem

  1. Enter your ISP username and password. Click the Internet Connection Type dropdown menu, and then click PPPoE. Enter the username and password provided by your ISP. Click Save Settings.
    • If you don't have your ISP provided username and password, you will need to contact them for that information. Your router won't work properly without them.
  2. Change the wireless network name. Click the Wireless tab, and then click Basic Wireless Settings. Under Configuration View, click Manual. In the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field, enter a name for the wireless network. Click Save Settings.
  3. Finish creating the wireless network. In the Internet Connection section, click Connect.

Creating a Wireless Network Password

  1. Go to the Linksys Security page. Once you've changed the hardware router password, you need to create a username and password to access the wireless network.[3] On the Linksys admin screen, click the Security tab.
  2. Choose a security option. Click on the Wireless tab, and then click the Wireless Settings tab. Next to Configuration View, click the Manual radio button.
    • If you don't see the Manual radio button, scroll down until you see the Wireless Security section.
  3. Choose a security setting. Click the Security Mode dropdown menu, and then choose a security type.
    • WPA2 is the most secure, but WEP is more compatible with older machines. It's recommended that you use WPA2. If that doesn't work, use WEP.
  4. Enter a passphrase. In the Passphrase field, type a password you'd like to use. Click Save Settings.
  5. Connect to the internet through your wireless router. When you connect to the wireless network the first time, you'll need to enter the password you chose.



Tips

  • If you want information about your Linksys router model, click here to go to the Linksys Knowledge Base, and choose your router model in the Model dropdown.
  • If you get stuck, contact your ISP or check your ISP support page for setting up Linksys routers.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=139791
  2. ↑ http://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=142912
  3. ↑ http://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=139152
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