How to Log in to Your NETGEAR Router

When you set up your first NETGEAR router and home network, it can be easy to forget how to log in to your router's administrative settings. Searching for this information can be even more daunting as there are so many brands and operating systems that affect how you might access its capabilities.

In this article, we'll help you access your NETGEAR router’s admin settings, teach you how to configure some basic but important settings, and go over troubleshooting tips in case you’re experiencing problems accessing your router’s login.

How to log in from your web browser

Before trying to access your NETGEAR router, make sure your router has a working internet connection. The internet or wide area network (WAN) light should be lit up with a solid (not blinking) light.

1. Once you have verified a reliable connection on the router, make sure the device you are using to log in is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable or wireless connection.
2. Open any browser on your chosen device and type http://192.168.1.1 in the web address bar. This is NETGEAR’s default IP address, which will give you access to the router login page. You can also use routerlogin.net.
3. A login window will display, asking for your login credentials. If this is your first time setting up your router, enter the default username, which is “admin,” and the default password, which is “password.”
4. If you have already set up your router using the Nighthawk app, you would have already created a password for the router. In this case, use this password to log in to the router.
   If you forgot your password, you can answer security questions (which you will have created at the time of setting up the router) in order to recover your password.

How to find your IP address

If, for some reason, your router has a different internet protocol (IP) address than the one mentioned above, those links will not work. Follow these steps to find your router’s IP address on Windows 8, 10, and 11 and on macOS.

How to find your NETGEAR router’s IP address in Windows 8

1. Open the start menu and in the search bar provided, type “network” and select network connection settings.
2. Click Connections in the menu on the left and then select Network on the right.
3. Your IP address will be listed as “IPv4 address.”

How to find your NETGEAR router’s IP address in Windows 10

1. Open your start menu and click the “Settings” button (it will be in the shape of a cog).
2. Click Network & Internet.
3. In the left menu, select Wi-Fi if you are connected to your router wirelessly or Ethernet if you are directly connected to your router with an Ethernet cord.
4. If you selected Ethernet, click Network in the center menu. Scroll down and look for the numbers listed next to the IPv4 address. This is your router’s IP address.
5. If you selected Wi-Fi, click the Properties button below your Wi-Fi network name. Scroll down to look for numbers listed next to the IPv4 address. This is your router’s IP address.

How to find your NETGEAR router’s IP address in Windows 11

1. Open your start menu and click Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet from the left menu.
3. Click Properties found along the top.
4. Look for numbers listed next to the IPv4 address. This is your router’s IP address.

How to find your NETGEAR router’s IP address in macOS

1. Open the Apple menu and click System Preferences.
2. Click the Network icon.
3. Select your network connection in the menu on the left.
4. With an Ethernet or USB connection, your IP address will be listed on the center screen.
5. For a Wi-Fi connection, your IP address will be listed under the connection status.

How to log in from the NETGEAR Nighthawk app

Unless someone else set up and configured your NETGEAR router for you, you will have had to use the NETGEAR Nighthawk app during your router’s first installation. The NETGEAR Nighthawk app allows you to log in to your router as well as configure different settings to customize your router’s performance and behavior. To log in to your router using the Nighthawk app, follow these steps:

1. Download the Nighthawk app if you do not already have it on your device.
2. Make sure your device is connected to your router’s wireless network or is connected directly via Ethernet cable.
3. Launch the Nighthawk app and log in with your NETGEAR account credentials.

NETGEAR router settings

Your NETGEAR router comes with various settings that can be accessed and configured through the NETGEAR router’s admin page. Although some of the advanced options can usually be ignored, users should consider settings such as changing their admin password, changing their Wi-Fi password, and enabling the useful password recovery feature.

Before following the guides below, log in to your NETGEAR admin page through your web browser (reference the first section of this article if you don’t know how to do this). Make sure the device you are using is connected to your router wirelessly or through Ethernet.

Update your admin password

1. Select the ADVANCED tab at the top of the homepage. If you are using a Nighthawk Pro Gaming router, select Settings.
2. Click Administration.
3. Select Set Password.
4. Fill in the box provided with your current password, then type your new password twice.
5. Click Apply to save your changes.

Change your Wi-Fi name and password

1. Select the BASIC tab on the top of the admin homepage.
2. Select WIRELESS. If you are using a Nighthawk Pro Gaming router, select Settings and then select Wireless Setup.
3. Type your new network name in the field labeled Name (SSID).
4. Type your new password in the fields labeled Password (Network Key).
5. Click Apply to save your changes.

Enable the password recovery feature

1. Select the ADVANCED tab at the top of the homepage. If you are using a Nighthawk Pro Gaming router, select Settings.
2. Select Administration.
3. Select Set Password.
4. Select the Enable Password Recovery checkbox.
5. You will be prompted to select two security questions and to provide answers to them.
6. Click Apply to save your changes.

Troubleshooting your NETGEAR router

If you are having trouble logging in to your router, consider some of the following troubleshooting tips:

• Make sure your device is connected to the router’s network. This can be done wirelessly or through an Ethernet connection. However, the Ethernet connection will be the safest bet — especially if you are experiencing problems.
• If you cannot connect to your router because of a lost password, use the password recovery feature to recover your admin password.
• Reboot your router. Also known as “power cycling,” this is achieved by unplugging your router and modem from power for a minute and then plugging them back in.
• While you’re at it, try power cycling other devices that are connected to the router.
• Try logging in to your router using a different browser.
• Temporarily disable pop-up blockers, firewalls, and ad-blocking software you have installed.
• If you are receiving an error message when trying to log in, follow our guide on how to clear cookies and your browsing cache.

If none of the above tips are working, you may need to perform a factory reset on your router:

1. Locate the “Restore Factory Settings” or “Reset” button on the back of the router.
2. With a paper clip or something similar, press and hold the button for seven seconds and then release.
3. When performing a factory reset, remember this will bring the router to its default settings. This means any configurations you have made to the router will be lost, including your router’s admin name, admin password, Wi-Fi network name, and password, as well as security settings.
4. Once the reset is complete, log in with “admin” as the username and “password” as the password.

NETGEAR router FAQs

Bottom line

It is important to know how to access your NETGEAR router should you ever experience any connectivity or privacy issues. If you have trouble accessing your router’s admin page, follow our troubleshooting guide above. If our troubleshooting tips don’t fix the problem, that might be a sign that you need a new router. We've reviewed the best VPN routers so you can protect every internet-connected device in your home.

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Juliana Kenny

About the Author

Juliana Kenny is a seasoned writer with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity topics. She holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in Irish Literature, a B.A. in French, and a minor in Art History. Since 2010, she has explored the dynamic intersection of technology and security, specializing in endpoint security, cloud security, and networking technologies like secure access service edge (SASE).