You are stuck with the question “How to Access Router”?. Don’t worry, it is not your problem only. One of the most common reasons leading to network disconnection is router issues. In this case, logging in to your router is the only way to resolve the problem.
However, another issue might come out that you don’t know how to deal with it. You search the concern on your web browser to ask for help but no full answer is found. So, look no further! All you are looking for is right in this article. We are sure to satisfy you with a sufficient answer. Now, here we go!
How to Access Your Router Settings?
By logging in to your router, you can change or set up your router and wifi settings and thanks to this, you can also protect your network from Internet hackers or scammers. Here are detailed steps to help you login to your router:
Step 1: Find your router’s IP address
Every router has its own IP address, it just likes the address of your home. And you will need the IP address to locate your device on the network. To know your router’s IP address, just check it on your computer.
- First, go to “Start” and type in “cmd” in your search bar and press OK.
- The command prompt window will pop up, type in “ipconfig” and press Enter.
- A list of your network information will show up. Scroll down until you see the “Default Gateway”, it is your router’s IP address.
- Copy your IP address and close the command prompt window.
Step 2: Log in to your router’s IP address on the web browser
Open any web browser you have on your device and paste the IP address you have copied on the search bar, then press Enter. You will be directed to the router admin page.
Here, you are required to type in your default username and password of your router. You can easily find this login information right on the side of your router.
If your router’s username and password were changed before, and you now cannot remember it, you could restore your router to the manufacturer’s default settings. And then, use your default username and password to login into your router.
Once you enter your router’s username and password, you can access your router page and change your settings. From your router page, you may see these following tabs:
- Settings: You can view all your router’s settings on this tab such as the password, the current connection strength, or security information.
- SSID: You will see your network’s name here. When you and others connect to the WiFi, this name will be displayed on the network list. If you want to change your WiFi’s name, you can type a new one here.
- Connected Devices: This tab allows you to check which devices are connecting to your network. Also, you can check the recently connected devices on the “History” option.
- Parental Controls: In this tab, you can check your router’s parental settings like blocked sites or time limits for devices.
There are some settings you should change to secure your network including your default router username and password as well as your WiFi’s password.
If you set a password for your WiFi, the others cannot access your WiFi without your permission. To do this, go to your router’s settings > Wireless Setup > Choose WPA2 to secure your network, then type in your password.
Your WiFi’s password should use a combination of upper letters, numbers, and symbols and avoid using your personal information like your name or birthday. When it is done, press “Save” to apply the change.
In addition, hackers can easily get your router’s default login information to access your router. Therefore, you should change your router’s username and password regularly to protect your private network.
Remember to note your new username and password down to make sure that you don’t forget it for the next login.
The Definition Of A Router And The Way It Works
Before checking out how to access your router, it is necessary to understand what precisely a router is and how it works.
A router is a device that helps connect devices within a local network by sending data packages among them. This data can be sent from devices to the Internet or just between the devices. With the help of a router in your home, you can enjoy a faster network connection, and protect your devices from web hackers.
To connect devices in a certain network, routers assign a local IP address to each device. This will help ensure that the requested information ends up in the right place.
How many types of routers are there?
There are many types of routers out there for you to choose, however, there are only 2 types of routers you should take into consideration for use. They are wireless routers and wired routers.
A wireless router is created to connect directly to a modem through a cable. It uses built-in antennas to communicate with your home Wi-Fi network. As a result, all the devices on your local network have an Internet connection.
On the other hand, a wired router will directly connect to a computer through a wired cable. All the devices on your network need an Internet port to get access to the Internet from your modem.
Is a router a modem?
No, it’s not! Some people mistake a router for a modem, but actually, they are totally different. We can simply understand that a modem brings the Internet to your home while a router brings the Internet to your devices.
Routers usually have more Ethernet ports than modems. Moreover, a modem has a public IP address while a router has a private one which cannot be found on the web.
Most importantly, routers use a local area network or private network. In contrast, modems use a wide area network. However, they still share the same function of transmitting data packets from a source to a destination.
How to Change My Router’s IP Address?
Even if you have a strong password, your login credentials can also be cracked. For a more security layer, you can try changing the IP address of your router.
Manufacturers normally use a basic IP address formed 192.168.0.1 for access to most of the routers. By changing this IP address, it is harder for hackers to crack your login credentials. And here are detailed steps to help you change your IP address.
- Log into your router: Open your browser and enter your router’s default IP address. The IP address can be easily found under your router. Then, type in your username and password to access your router settings page.
- Open setup tab: Depending on your router, you can find this option in different locations. However, it should be located under a Settings tab. You can go to Network Configuration > Setup.
- Change the IP address: You can simply create a new IP address by changing one or both of the last two numbers of the IP address. You can use any number between 1 and 254, which means you have about 64,500 possible IP combinations.
For instance, you can use the default IP of 192.168.100.01 on my router to 192.168.200.16. Make sure to write this number on a notebook because you will need it to login to your Settings once the changes are made.
Save the change and reboot your router: Once you have finished changing your IP address. Click on “Apply” to save the change and wait for your router to reboot. To make sure that the changes have been set, use your new IP address to access your router again.
Simple Way to Change the Router’s Channel
If you are having issues with your Internet connection, you can change your router channel that uses WiFi to avoid interference from other nearby networks.
The most two popular channels for your router are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The best WiFi channel is one that isn’t being used by any other neighboring network. By switching to a less-crowded channel, your WiFi speed will be improved markedly. And here is the way to change your router channel:
First, you need to access your router login page by following the steps in the part “How do I access my router?” Once you logged in, go to “Wireless Setup” > Manual Wireless Network Setup > In the box “Wireless Channel”, choose the channel you want to switch to.
If your router can work with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, you should set the channel separately for each of them. And make sure that you save the settings as you may need to reboot your router to apply the change.
The exact location of the “Wireless Channel” tab will depend on the router brand, but it should always be under the “Wireless Setup” tab. In case you cannot find it, it is better to contact your router supplier for further support.
How to Reset My Router?
Resetting the router is a necessary step to help troubleshoot some Internet issues. When your router is reset, all your custom settings will be restored to the factory’s default settings, including router username and password, WiFi username and password, and also other related settings.
And here are basic steps to help you reset your router:
First, find the reset button on your router, it is normally set at the back of the router. To reset your router, you need to press and hold this button for 30 seconds until the light is changed. Once the router is reset, you should login to the router to change your settings information.
Related: How To Reset Asus Router
Is a reset the same with a reboot?
The answer is “No”. Rebooting and resetting are two different terms. And both of these terms are used for unique purposes.
Rebooting means you shut down your router and turn it on right away without removing any settings or making any changes to your custom settings.
To reboot your router, you must unplug it for 15 seconds and then plug it back. It will take about 20 seconds for the router to reboot. In the meantime, your internet connection will drop and it will be automatically connected after rebooting.
When having issues with your Internet connection, you should try to troubleshoot by rebooting your router first. In case it doesn’t help, then try to reset your router.
When I Should Replace My Router?
Normally, after 4 to 5 years of use, you should think about replacing your router. Why? Over time, heat can damage the internal components of the router which can lead to a flickered signal.
You might try moving it to another place with good airflow or placing it in front of a small fan, but that doesn’t really work.
Or simply, your Internet is getting slower than usual, or you have a new device and it is not compatible with your router? You have tried some troubleshooting steps, but it seems not to work. Then, it is time to consider buying a new router.
It is a good idea to buy one that has an easy-to-use manual. So, even low tech people can also easily understand the settings steps.
The router should also include some features like the ability to set up a guest network. This is really necessary if you have a lot of one-time guests.
Wrapping Up
Routers play a very important role in regulating your local area network. It not only helps your devices connect to the Internet but also protects them from web hackers or scammers. By logging in to your router, you can make your own custom settings to better secure your private network.
We do hope that with our instructions, you can now get your own answer to the question “how do I access my router?” And if you still have any confusion, don’t hesitate to share it with us!
