KNOW YOUR OWN ROUTER

Logging into your own router is an excellent way to get an idea of how your Internet works - **who is on your own home network and how to block connections.**

A Beginner's Guide to Logging Into Your Router

Here is an excellent overview of logging into a router, and though the link is older, it still works very well. I have Windows 11 on this computer, and it works. The great thing about computer operating systems is the fact that they build off the old models. So, even if you think something might be too old to work, you might find that it does, in fact, still work just fine.

This is a fairly easy 4-step process. Each router is a little different, so, if this doesn’t work, do yourself a favor and take a picture of the bottom of your access point. It will have specific instructions for your particular make/model. Some have web addresses that you can just type into your browser, eliminating the need to go old school (but I present old school because **IT WORKS EVERY TIME!**)

See: Heyne, C. (2013). How to login to a Wireless Router: A Beginner’s Guide. Audioholics Web Site: https://www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/how-to-login-wireless-router.

  1. **Press the “Windows” key and the “R” key on your keyboard simultaneously** (This portion of the tutorial is written specifically for Windows based computers).

    The “Windows” key usually has a picture of the windows logo. This will bring up the **“Run” window**. In the text field type in **cmd** (don't include the "") and click **“OK”**. Once you click “OK”, a new window will pop up. If this method isn't working for you, an alternate method is to type cmd into the start menu search bar and then press enter.

  2. Type in **ipconfig** (again, don't include the "") and press enter on your keyboard.

    A bunch of information will show up. Scroll down until you find the **“Default Gateway”** line. The string of numbers at the end of the line (**192.168.0.1** in this example) is the IP address of the router.

  3. Now that we know the IP address of your router, we can login to it. Open up your internet browser (most people use Firefox, Edge, [Internet Explorer (a.k.a. Windows Exploder)], or Chrome). In the address bar at the top of the screen, type in the **IP address of the router** and press enter. Your browser will take you to the login page of your wireless router.

  4. At this point you will be asked for the **username and password** to login to the wireless router. This is **not** the same password as the one to join your wireless network. This password is almost always left at the default setting.

    If you don’t have a manual, find the model number of your router (on the box or router itself) and use this website to find the login information: http://www.routerpasswords.com/. If you still can’t find information on your router, just go on Google and search for the model of the router plus the phrase **“login information”**. You are surely not the first person to have a hard time finding the proper login info.

    If you can’t login, no matter the password you use, someone may have changed the password. Worst case scenario, you have to use the **“reset” button** on the back of the router to reset the unit to default settings, then retry the above steps. Know that resetting the router will change **ALL** settings back to default, including your wireless name (**SSID** - Service Set Identifier, the specific name of your home wireless network) and password.