# How Do I Reset the Password on My WIFI Node?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-the-password-on-my-wifi-node/606047>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 13, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-the-password-on-my-wifi-node/606047 "2011-12-13T17:15:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-the-password-on-my-wifi-node/606047/1 "2011-12-13T17:15:23Z")

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I have a Netgear WIFI node hooked up to cable internet, and I’m accessing it vía an older MacBook running OS 10.4.11. I long ago forgot the password, and I want to access WIFI at home vía my smartphone. How can I view and/or reset the password?

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-the-password-on-my-wifi-node/606047/2 "2011-12-13T18:01:52Z")

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You mean a router? Try going to 192.168.1.1 (or possibly 192.168.0.1 or it could be a couple other things, but I think Netgears are all one of those two). You should get a login page. If you never changed the default password for the router, try the following:

admin  
password

admin  
admin

admin  
[leave this field blank]

admin  
1234

And see if any of those will let you in. Once you get there, there should be wireless security settings that will give you the WiFi password. Let us know if any of those work.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-the-password-on-my-wifi-node/606047/3 "2011-12-13T18:02:54Z")

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Oh, and [here’s a page](http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9665/~/reset-and-restore-the-netgear-device-to-factory-default-settings) with an actual reset to default instructions.

ETA: I should add, you can find your router’s IP address by opening up a Terminal, then type, say “traceroute 4.2.2.2” and see what the first hop is.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-the-password-on-my-wifi-node/606047/4 "2011-12-13T18:10:09Z")

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Oh, just thought of one more thing. I assume you’re accessing the Wifi on your MacBook? Go to Spotlight and search for “Keychain.” Click on Keychain Access. Find the name of your WiFi connection and double click on it. Check the box that says “Show Password.” You will be prompter for your MacBook’s login credentials. When you supply them, it will show you the WiFi password it is using for that connection.