How to Log In to a Netgear Router

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This wikiHow teaches you how to log into your Netgear Internet router's web page. Logging into a router's page allows you to do things like view your network's status and change the network's settings. Before you can log into your Netgear router, you'll need to find your router's address in your computer's settings.

Part 1
Part 1 of 5:

Finding Your Router's Address on Windows

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  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. This opens the Windows Start menu
  2. Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left corner of the Start menu.
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  3. It's in the Settings menu. It has an icon that resembles a globe. Doing so opens the Network & Internet menu's Status page.
  4. You'll find this near the bottom of the Status page. This displays the properties for all of your network connections.
  5. Look at each connection and check if it says "Wi-Fi" next to name. This is the Wi-Fi connection you are using.
    • If you are using a wired connection, check the "Ethernet" connections instead.
    • If you are not sure if the connection you are checking is the right one, scroll down and check that it says "Connected to Internet" next to "Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6):"
  6. This is near the bottom of the "Wi-Fi" section, just right of the "Default gateway:" heading.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 5:

Finding Your Router's Address on Mac

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  1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. It's near the top of the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will open.
  3. You'll find this option on the right side of the System Preferences window.
  4. It's in the lower-right corner of the window. A new window will pop up.
  5. This is at the top of the pop-up window.
  6. It's to the right of the "Router" heading near the top of the window.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 5:

Logging into Your Router

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  1. Your router generally has a sticker that contains the default username and password used to login to your router. It is usually found on the back or bottom of the unit. For most models, the default username is "admin" and the default password is "password". If your router is a very old model, the default password may be "1234". [1]
    • If you are using a ReadyNAS or ReadyDATA product that has RAIDiator firmware, the default password is "netgear1". If your router uses Infrant firmware, the default password is "infrant1".
  2. Click or double-click your preferred browser's app icon. You can use any major web browser including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, and more.
  3. The address bar is at the top of the web browser where you enter a web address. Enter your router's address will open the router's login page.
  4. Click the "User Name" or "Username" text box and type the default username, which is "admin" for all models.. [2]
    • If your router's sticker has a different username listed, use that username instead.
    • Usernames are case-sensitive.
  5. You'll enter this in the "Password" text box. For most routers, the default username is "password".
    • If you have set a password or your router's sticker has a different password listed, use that password instead.
  6. It's below the "Password" text field. Doing so will log you in to your router.
    • You can also press Enter to log in.
  7. This will usually take up to a minute. Once your router's page loads, you're free to view and adjust your router's settings as needed.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 5:

Using the Nighthawk App

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  1. The Nighthawk apps allows you to set up your internet, check your network status, pause the internet, run an internet speed test, set up parental controls, monitor internet traffic, update your router's firmware, and more using your smartphone. The following Netgear routers support the Nighthawk app: [3]
    • RAX10, RAX15, RAX20, RAX35, RAX40, RAX45, RAX48, RAX50, RAX75, RAX80, RAX120, RAX200
    • AC2100, AC2400, AC2600
    • R6020, R6080, R6120, R6220, R6250, R6250v2, R6260, R6230, R6330, R6350, R6400, R6400v2, R6700, R6700v2, R6700v3, R6800, R6850, R6900, R6900P, R6900v2, R7000, R7000P, R7000S, R7250, R7350, R7400, R7450, R7500v2, R7800, R7850, R7900, R7900P, R7960P, R8000, R8000P, R8300, R8500, R8900,R9000,
    • RS400
    • XR300, XR450, XR500, XR700, XR1000
  2. The Nighthawk mobile app is available for both Android, and iPhone. It has an icon that resembles three blue arcs with a line to the right. Use the following steps to download and install the Nighthawk app:
    • Open the Google Play Store on Android, or App Store on iPhone.
    • Tap the search tab (iPhone only).
    • Type "Nighthawk" in the search bar.
    • Tap Nighthawk in the search results.
    • Tap Get or Install next to the Nighthawk app.
  3. Tap the Nighthawk app on your home screen or Apps menu to open Nighthawk. You can also tap Open in the Google Play Store or App Store once the Nighthawk app is finished installing.
  4. To agree to the Terms and Conditions, tap the radio option that says "By checking this box, I accept NETGEAR's Terms and Conditions and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy." You can tap the blue text in the box to read the Terms and Conditions or Privacy Policy. Tap I agree at the bottom of the page to continue.
  5. In order to use the WiFI Auto Connect feature, the Nighthawk app needs to be able to access your phones Location Services. Tap Allow to allow the app to access your Location Services.
    • If you don't want to allow the Nighthawk app to access your Location Services, you can tap Don't Allow . You will not be able to access all app features.
  6. If already have an existing Netgear account, tap Sign into existing account and enter the email address and password associated with your Netgear account. If you do not have a Netgear account, tap Create new account . Fill out the form and tap Continue . You will need to provide your first and last name, a valid email address, as well as enter a password twice to confirm your password. Tap Continue when you are ready. Once you are logged into the Nighthawk app with your Netgear account, you can manage your router using the app. [4]
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Part 5
Part 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting Common Problems

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  1. You can only access the router's login page if you are connected to the same network as the router. If you are not receiving internet from your router, or are receiving internet from a different source, such as a mobile hotspot or 4G, you cannot access your router's login page.
  2. Your router may be set to login using these URL's instead of it's default IP address.
  3. Clear your browser's cache and cookies . A lot of common internet problems can be solved by clearing your cache. [5]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    On netgear AC1200 Smart Router can I turn off the 5GHz band?
    Allan Cramer
    Community Answer
    There should be an "Enable SSID Broadcast" option on the router's 5GHz band properties. If the box is ticked, that means the network is able to be connected to. Uncheck the box to disable the 5GHz band.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://kb.netgear.com/1148/What-are-the-default-web-interface-passwords-for-NETGEAR-devices
      2. ↑ https://kb.netgear.com/980/How-do-I-log-in-to-my-NETGEAR-home-router
      3. ↑ https://kb.netgear.com/000055505/Which-products-support-the-NETGEAR-Nighthawk-app
      4. ↑ https://kb.netgear.com/980/How-do-I-log-in-to-my-NETGEAR-router
      5. ↑ https://kb.netgear.com/27199/How-to-troubleshoot-routerlogin-net-and-routerlogin-com-access-errors

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Find your router's default IP address by checking the properties of your internet connection.
      2. Enter your router's default IP address in the address bar of a web browser.
      3. Find the default username and password posted on a sticker on the router.
      4. Enter the default username, which is most likely "admin".
      5. Enter the default password, which is most likely "password".
      6. Click Log in or press Enter .

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