My router has gone back to name;NETGEAR& no password-do i need to use ethernet cable to reset password?

Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to one of the ports on the router. On the PC, hold down the "Windows" key, and press/release the 'r' key, and release the "Windows" key.
In the window that opens, type 'CMD' and press ENTER.
Type 'IPCONFIG' and press ENTER.
Look for the "IP-V4" address of the "gateway" -- probably something like '192.168.0.1'.
Open Internet Explorer, and type 'http://192.168.0.1' (or something like that).
Now, login to the router's own web-server, using the router's "default" ID/password.
To secure it, set a new password.
Configure its "wireless" interface, to set an 'SSID' for your wireless network, and to configure it to use 'WPA2' protocol. Configure a password for your wireless network.
Restart the router.

A Netgear wireless router attaches multiple devices to your Internet connection, either by ethernet cable or wirelessly.
If you can't connect to the Internet, the problem can be anywhere along the chain of devices and technologies that connect your computer to the Internet.
Knowing how to troubleshoot your Netgear or other wireless router is an essential part of determining where the problem is and fixing it.

Click your "Start" button, and choose "Run."
Type "cmd" in the text box (without quotation marks), and click "OK."
A command prompt will open. Type the following: ipconfig /all. Press your "Enter" key.
A list of numbers and other networking configuration information will display.
Find your network adapter in this list of headers.
If you use your computer wirelessly in many different places, you may have to scroll through a lot of different options to find your adapter.
If you connect to the Internet using a cable, look for a header that begins with "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection."
If you connect wirelessly, look for a header that begins with "Ethernet adapter Wireless Connection."
You will usually only see an IP address displayed under one header in either category.

Record your IP address and default gateway on a piece of paper or in a text file.
If your IP address is 0.0.0.0 or begins with 169.254, unplug your Netgear router from its power source.
Unplug your cable or DSL modem as well.
Be sure to unplug both devices; turning them off with a power switch may not have the same effect.
Wait 20 seconds before plugging the modem in again.
Wait for the lights on the modem to light up.
Plug in your Netgear wireless router again.
Wait for two minutes. Use "ipconfig /all" again.
You should have a different IP address now.

Ping your default gateway.
At the command prompt, type "ping 192.168.1.1" (substituting your default gateway address for 192.168.1.1).
You should receive four responses, all of which will begin with either "Reply from" or "Request timed out."
If you receive "Request timed out," unplug your Netgear wireless router from the power source for 20 seconds, and plug it in again.
Wait two minutes before using "ping" again.
If you receive "Reply from" responses, check to see if your Internet connection is working again.
Open a Web browser. In the address bar, type "http://192.168.1.1" (substituting your default gateway address for 192.168.1.1).
Press "Enter." If you have password-protected your Netgear router, you will be prompted for a username and password.
The default username for a Netgear router is "admin."
When you have successfully entered the username and password, your Web browser will show you the configuration page for your Netgear wireless router.

If your Web browser never loads a Web page or prompts for a username and password, you're not communicating with your Netgear router.
Double-check the address you typed into your address bar.
If you've typed it correctly and your connection is wireless, either your wireless card has a problem or your Netgear router is not correctly sending a wireless signal.
Make sure your wireless card is enabled (using Windows' built-in Network Connections applet or the third-party software that came with your wireless card).
Make sure your connection settings (SSID, security type, and key or passphrase) are correct for your network.

Look at the lights on your Netgear wireless router.
The wireless indicator light should be green.
If it's orange or not on at all, your router is not sending a wireless signal.

Make sure all the settings on your Netgear configuration page are correct.
Most Internet providers use a dynamic IP address and DNS server addresses.
Some Internet providers require a login, and some do not.
To be sure, refer to the configuration information your Internet provider gave you when your Internet access was installed, or call your Internet provider's technical support number.
Click on "Wireless Settings" on the navigation bar on the left-hand side of the page.
If you were not able to reach the configuration page wirelessly and had to connect to your Netgear router with an ethernet cable, make sure these settings are still as you defined them when setting up your network.
If not, either change the settings to suit you, or change the configuration of your wireless card to match these settings.
Be sure to click the "Apply" button if you make any changes.

Click "Router Status" on the navigation bar on the left-hand side of the page.
Under "Internet Port," check your IP address.
If the address begins with 169.254, you're not communicating with your cable or DSL modem. Unplug your cable or DSL modem from its power source for 20 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two minutes, and refresh this page.

If your IP address still begins with 169.254, there is a problem either with the cable connecting your Netgear wireless router to your cable or DSL modem, or with the modem itself.
If your IP address is 0.0.0.0, there is a problem with your Internet connection, and you should call your Internet provider's technical support.

Record all your configuration information before trying to reset your Netgear wireless router to the factory defaults.
Resetting may fix your problem, but it will wipe out all your configuration information, and you will have to reconfigure your Netgear router from scratch afterward.
To reset most Netgear routers, use the tip of a pen or an unbent paperclip to press and hold the reset button on the back of the router until the test light blinks.
Release the button, and wait two or three minutes.
Connect to the router's configuration page in a Web browser.
Log in with the default username and password, and configure your router.
You may have to connect to the router with an ethernet cable to perform this initial configuration.

If you use a Netgear router to broadcast a WI-FI (Wireless Fidelity) signal in your home, you can easily double the range of your network by connecting a second router to one of the LAN (Local Access Network) ports located on the back of the Netgear router. You can use a Linksys, Belkin, D-Link or even a second Netgear router to extend the range. Any router that allows you to access the router settings to turn off the router's DHCP server is usable as a range extender.

Complete a master reset on the router you want to use as an extender. Typically, routers have a reset hole located on the back or side of the router. Push a metal push pin into the hole until the lights on the router flash. Often the settings on routers have been manipulated to enhance a network connection. Resetting the router ensures you can access all of the settings and not encounter any issues when making the connection. Plug an Ethernet cable into one of the router's LAN ports located on the back of the router. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port located Enter the router's IP address into an Internet browser Web address field. If you do not know the default IP address, reference TechSpot.com for a list of router IP addresses. Enter the default username and password for your router. If you do not know the default login information, reference Router Passwords.com for the default login information for your router brand. Access the DHCP server settings. Usually, this is located in the "Basic Setup" section of the router settings page. Turn off the DHCP server and then select "Update Settings." The location of the DHCP server can be located on a different page if the router is an uncommon brand. Access the "Wireless Setup" page and change the SSID to match the network name you use for your Netgear router. Select "Update Settings" to save the network name. This allows computers to move from the Netgear router to the router used as a range extender without requiring a second wireless profile being set up on the computer. The SSID could be located on a different page if the router is an uncommon brand. Access the "Wireless Security" page and update the router's password to match the password used on the Netgear router. If you do not secure your network, skip this step. The wireless password could be located on a different page if the router is an uncommon brand. Remove the Ethernet cable from the router and the computer. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN (Wide Area Network) port located on the back of the router you want to use as a range extender. Plug the other end of the cable into one of the LAN ports located on the back of the Netgear router. Hope this helps

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How to Troubleshoot a Netgear Wireless Router Print this articleA Netgear wireless router attaches multiple devices to your Internet connection, either by ethernet cable or wirelessly. If you can't connect to the Internet, the problem can be anywhere along the chain of devices and technologies that connect your computer to the Internet. Knowing how to troubleshoot your Netgear or other wireless router is an essential part of determining where the problem is and fixing it.

Instructions
1Click your "Start" button, and choose "Run." Type "cmd" in the text box (without quotation marks), and click "OK." A command prompt will open. Type the following: ipconfig /all. Press your "Enter" key. A list of numbers and other networking configuration information will display.
2
Find your network adapter in this list of headers. If you use your computer wirelessly in many different places, you may have to scroll through a lot of different options to find your adapter. If you connect to the Internet using a cable, look for a header that begins with "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection." If you connect wirelessly, look for a header that begins with "Ethernet adapter Wireless Connection." You will usually only see an IP address displayed under one header in either category.
3Record your IP address and default gateway on a piece of paper or in a text file. If your IP address is 0.0.0.0 or begins with 169.254, unplug your Netgear router from its power source. Unplug your cable or DSL modem as well. Be sure to unplug both devices; turning them off with a power switch may not have the same effect. Wait 20 seconds before plugging the modem in again. Wait for the lights on the modem to light up. Plug in your Netgear wireless router again. Wait for two minutes. Use "ipconfig /all" again. You should have a different IP address now.
4Ping your default gateway. At the command prompt, type "ping 192.168.1.1" (substituting your default gateway address for 192.168.1.1). You should receive four responses, all of which will begin with either "Reply from" or "Request timed out." If you receive "Request timed out," unplug your Netgear wireless router from the power source for 20 seconds, and plug it in again. Wait two minutes before using "ping" again. If you receive "Reply from" responses, check to see if your Internet connection is working again.
5Open a Web browser. In the address bar, type "http://192.168.1.1" (substituting your default gateway address for 192.168.1.1). Press "Enter." If you have password-protected your Netgear router, you will be prompted for a username and password. The default username for a Netgear router is "admin." When you have successfully entered the username and password, your Web browser will show you the configuration page for your Netgear wireless router.If your Web browser never loads a Web page or prompts for a username and password, you're not communicating with your Netgear router. Double-check the address you typed into your address bar. If you've typed it correctly and your connection is wireless, either your wireless card has a problem or your Netgear router is not correctly sending a wireless signal. Make sure your wireless card is enabled (using Windows' built-in Network Connections applet or the third-party software that came with your wireless card). Make sure your connection settings (SSID, security type, and key or passphrase) are correct for your network. Look at the lights on your Netgear wireless router. The wireless indicator light should be green. If it's orange or not on at all, your router is not sending a wireless signal.
6
Make sure all the settings on your Netgear configuration page are correct. Most Internet providers use a dynamic IP address and DNS server addresses. Some Internet providers require a login, and some do not. To be sure, refer to the configuration information your Internet provider gave you when your Internet access was installed, or call your Internet provider's technical support number.
7Click on "Wireless Settings" on the navigation bar on the left-hand side of the page. If you were not able to reach the configuration page wirelessly and had to connect to your Netgear router with an ethernet cable, make sure these settings are still as you defined them when setting up your network. If not, either change the settings to suit you, or change the configuration of your wireless card to match these settings. Be sure to click the "Apply" button if you make any changes.
8Click "Router Status" on the navigation bar on the left-hand side of the page. Under "Internet Port," check your IP address. If the address begins with 169.254, you're not communicating with your cable or DSL modem. Unplug your cable or DSL modem from its power source for 20 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two minutes, and refresh this page.If your IP address still begins with 169.254, there is a problem either with the cable connecting your Netgear wireless router to your cable or DSL modem, or with the modem itself. If your IP address is 0.0.0.0, there is a problem with your Internet connection, and you should call your Internet provider's technical support.
9Record all your configuration information before trying to reset your Netgear wireless router to the factory defaults. Resetting may fix your problem, but it will wipe out all your configuration information, and you will have to reconfigure your Netgear router from scratch afterward. To reset most Netgear routers, use the tip of a pen or an unbent paperclip to press and hold the reset button on the back of the router until the test light blinks. Release the button, and wait two or three minutes. Connect to the router's configuration page in a Web browser. Log in with the default username and password, and configure your router. You may have to connect to the router with an ethernet cable to perform this initial configuration.



Tips & Warnings
You can use the "ipconfig /all" command on almost any computer that connects to a network or the Internet. If "cmd" doesn't open a command prompt, you can use any method your operating system allows to open the prompt or shell. If your Netgear wireless router is not sending a wireless signal even after you've powered it off, waited 20 seconds and powered it back on, you can use an ethernet cable to attach a computer directly to the router to continue troubleshooting.

Hello.
~~If you need to reset the Netgear router's administration password, you have to reset the router to factory default settings. Below are the steps.

1. Reset the router to factory settings.

- Before you reset the router, unplug all the cables attached to it except the power cord.
- Make sure the router is plugged into the power outlet, then hold down the reset button at the back of the router for 30 seconds using a paper clip or a pen. You should see the lights flicker momentarily on the front panel of the router.

2. Once the lights are stable, connect 1 computer or laptop directly to the back of the router(Ethernet/LAN ports usually they are labelled by numbers and have the same color, just pick one).
If you pick number 1, check the corresponding light indicator at the front panel of the router, make sure light 1 is also lit up if not choose another port at the back of the router.

3. Access the router's setup page by typing http://www.routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address field of your browser and then press Enter. Type admin for the router user name and your password (or the default, password). Setup and configure the router again.

~~If you need to reset the wireless password for the router. Follow these instructions.

1. Access the router's setup page by typing http://www.routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address field of your browser and then press Enter. Type admin for the router user name and your password (or the default, password).

2. After logging in. Look at the main menu on the left, click on Wireless Settings, from there you can check the Wireless Key(For WEP you need Key 1,2,3 or 4 whichever is selected... For WPA you need passphrase). On this page you now have the option to change or reset the wireless password.



~~Hope this helps~~

To configure router it depends on whih router you are using a broadband or a wireless. Here I can so you how to setup routers in different ways. Here I have defined 5 different router to setup it.That is given bellow. How to configure linksys broadband router.

• Connect and install your router according to the product manual.
• Open your Web browser then check your product manual for the Web address you need to enter.
• Enter the Web address, then enter the user name and password supplied in your manual.
• Enter the required setup information. You'll need to call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for this information if you don't have it already.
• Choose the connection type you want from the drop-down menu labeled "WAN Connection Type." The connection type you need will depend on the information you receive from your ISP.
• Click the "Apply" button to save your settings, then close the browser window.
• Reset the power on your modem.
• Restart your computer.

How to configure netgear wireless router.

• Connect your high-speed modem to the Netgear wireless router with an Ethernet cable. Turn off and unplug your high-speed modem's power before connecting the device to your wireless router. Plug the Ethernet cable that was connected to your high-speed modem into the "Internet" port on the back of your Netgear wireless router. This port is located next to the wireless router's power port and is designated by a green color.
• Connect your computer and the Netgear wireless router with an Ethernet cable. Shut down your computer before connecting it to your wireless router. Plug one end of the short, blue Ethernet cable that came with your Netgear wireless router into your computer's Ethernet jack. Plug the other end of the cable into a LAN port on the back of your wireless router. Your wireless router will have several numbered LAN ports, designated by a yellow color. It does not matter which LAN port you use.
• Turn on each device in order. First, power up your high-speed modem, then wait at least 2 minutes. This allows it time to connect to your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) server. Make sure that your high-speed modem's status indicators show that it has successfully connected to your ISP's server. Next, plug the Netgear AC power adapter into the Netgear wireless router and a power outlet. The AC power adapter plugs into the back of the wireless router in a black-colored port labeled "Power." Wait at least 2 minutes for your wireless router to connect to your high-speed modem. You will know that it has successfully connected if all of the status lights on the front of the wireless router are on. Finally, turn on your computer.
• Open your Web browser and connect to the wireless router's URL. In the address bar of your browser, type in the wireless router's address. The Netgear wireless router addresses are: http://www.routerlogin.net, http://www.routerlogin.com or http://192.168.1.1. You can use any one of these URLs. Press "Enter" on your keyboard once you have typed in the address.
• Input the default user name and password. The default user name is "admin," and the default password is "password." The text boxes are case-sensitive, so it is important that you use lowercase letters.
• Follow the Setup Wizard instructions. Once you log into the router, a Setup Wizard will load and ask if you want it to detect your Internet type. Click the "Yes" radio button, then click "Next." Once you have completed the wizard, configuration is complete, and you can access the Internet using the wireless router.
• Configure wireless settings. If you have wireless devices that you want to connect to your Netgear wireless router, you must access your wireless settings. Log into the wireless router as described in Steps 4 and 5, then find and click the "Wireless Setting" link on the main menu. You can change the default SSID (wireless network name) from "NETGEAR" to a custom name, and you can change security settings such that a passcode is required to log onto your wireless network. When you finish changing your wireless settings, click "Apply." You must use this SSID and passcode to connect your wireless devices to your Netgear wireless router.

How to configure 2wire router.

• Things You'll Need :
• Ethernet cable
• Connect your router to your computer using the Ethernet cable inserted into the appropriate ports. Launch your browser and type the following in the address bar:
• http://gateway.2.wire.net
• Click the tab for "Home Network." In the right-hand frame, "Status at a Glance," click the button next to the "Wireless" option (in the Home Network section) and set to "Disable."
• Click the "Wireless Settings" link in the top menu bar. Verify or type the name SSID, which is the Network Name (located on your router's label with the prefix, "2WIRExxx" where *** is the unique identifier). Locate your WEP encryption key on the label below the serial number.
• Select the Wireless Channel using the drop-down menu. Click the box next to "Enable" to enable SSID Broadcast.
• Click the box next to "Enable" to set the Wireless Network Security. Select "WEP-Open" in the drop-down menu for "Authentication." Click the button next to "Use default encryption key."
• Set the Power Setting to "10" using the drop-down menu. Click the "Save" button.
• Click the "System" tab above the top menu bar and click the option, "Restart the system."
• For your wireless router: exit the browser application, unplug your Ethernet cables and select your network in the list of available wireless networks. Type your WEP password in the "Password" and "Confirm Password" fields. Click the "Connect" button.

How to configure SMC router.

• Things You'll Need :
• Ethernet cable
• Plug an Ethernet cable into the back of any network computer and plug the other end into any port on the back of the SMC router.
• Open the Internet browser on the connected computer. Type "http://192.168.2.1," "http://192.168.2.1:80," or "http://192.168.2.1:88" (depending on your model of SMC router) into the address bar and press "Enter."
• Enter the default password for your SMC router, found in the instruction manual for your specific model.
• Click "Advanced Setup," "WAN," and click "PPPoE."
• Enter your username and password for your Internet connection (if any). Set the "MTU" value to 1440 and set "Maximum Idle Time" to "0" (zero).
• Click "Advanced Setup," "Wireless," and "Encryption." Enter a 26-character code of your choice to password protect your network. Press "Apply" to save your configuration changes.

You can know the wep password with below method. Connect your router to computer with ethernet cable then you can access it with following default link. http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.15.1 or http://192.168.2.1 If you are not able to access it with above ip then check your computers ip address gateway ip is your router ip try with it. Then it ask for user name and password. Type user as "admin" and password as "admin" or "password" or blank. Then you can see configuration page of router. If you are still not able to access router with above ip then you need to RESET it for that press RESET button for 10 seconds it is in back side of router then all settings defaults..Then you can access it with above method. . Then click on wireless->wireless security->WEP security there is code password note down it or enter new password then save setting s and restart router. then you can connect wireless with new password. Let me know if you need further assistance. Thanks for using FixYa.

Please connect the Netgear Router to your Laptop with a Ethernet cable.
In order to connect Netgear Router to your Laptop please follow these steps:
STEP 1 : If you look at back of router there are 4 LAN ports that are together and 1 WAN or Internet port which is alone. Connect the Internet cable ( provided by your Internet Service Provider) to WAN or Internet port of router .
Now take another Ethernet cable and connect one end of the cable to any one of 4 LAN ports and connect the second end to your laptop. Now please turn on the router.
STEP 2: You can see Power, Internet, Wireless and one LAN port light there on the router. Now come to computer and try to open the router login page.
In order to open the router page , you need to open your Internet Explorer and type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar.Now it will ask for router login information .
Username = admin Password = password
If it doesn't work please try to check the IP address of your computer ( In order to check the IP address of computer, Click on START menu , goto RUN and in RUN Window please type cmd. A black window pops up under this please type IPCONFIG and check the ETHERNET adapter IP address.
Now try to open the router page using this IP address.
STEP 3: Now on the router page you can see number of option on the left side. In order to change or secure the router for wireless connection please click on WIRELESS SETTING option under BASIC SETTING.
Under the SSID : type the name for your wireless network ( of your choice) CHANNEL : it should be 11 or 6 . Security : select WPA-PSK and under key please type any password of your choice ( it must be 8 characters atleast)
Please save the setting.
STEP 4: Now unplug the Ethernet cable from your laptop. Under the wireless networks , you can find your wireless network name . Just select it and click connect on. It will ask for security key or network key please type the same password that you have created for wireless setting.
Now it will connect you to your wireless network that is secured now.

Connect the unit to your computers ethernet port and your DSL or Cable to the netgear device. Launch your internet browser and type http://www.routerlogin.com in the address bar and click go or press the enter key. A dialog box will appear, and you need to type admin (all lower case) for the user name and password (all lower case) for the password and click ok. If this does not work you may have to reset the router to the default settings and use the default user name (admin) and password (password). If you reset the router you will lose all your router settings and will have to re setup the router.