Cisco Router Login

Most people looking for a Cisco router login are actually using a Cisco Small Business RV-series router, which usually opens at 192.168.1.1. The tricky part is the default login details: newer models often use cisco/cisco, while older ones rely on admin/admin, and mixing these up is the most common reason people cannot get in. This guide helps you figure out which login applies to your specific model, explains the password change Cisco typically requires on first login, and walks you through fixing the usual access issues when things do not work as expected.

How to Log In to a Cisco Router

1. Connect your computer to the router, ideally with an Ethernet cable. Cisco recommends a wired connection for setup so you do not lose access partway through a configuration change.
2. Open a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
3. Click the address bar at the top of the browser, the bar that shows the web address. Do not use the search box.
4. Type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. If it does not load, try 192.168.0.1, which some Cisco devices use.
5. If a security warning appears, continue past it. It is safe on your own network.
6. Enter the username and password for your model. See the table below.

Default Username and Password for Cisco Routers

This is where Cisco trips people up, because the default depends on the model line.

Cisco model	Default IP	Username	Password
RV130, RV180, RV320, RV325, RV340, RV345	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco
Legacy RV016, RV042, RV082, RV180W	192.168.1.1	admin	admin
Many other Cisco routers	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco
SPA ATA devices	192.168.0.1	admin	admin

Both cisco/cisco and admin/admin are case-sensitive and lowercase. If one combination is rejected, try the other before assuming the password was changed. The credentials are also printed on a label on the back of many models, which is the most reliable source for your exact unit.

A quick note for anyone with enterprise gear: Cisco ISR 1000 and 4000 series routers and Catalyst switches do not have a factory-default web password. They are configured through the console during a Day-0 setup, so there is no cisco/cisco login to try. The defaults above apply to the Small Business RV line, which is what most home and small-office users have.

The Forced Password Change on First Login

On newer Cisco Small Business devices, logging in with cisco/cisco does not take you straight to the dashboard. The device requires you to set a new password before you can go any further. This is a security policy, not an error.

When prompted, enter a new password that meets Cisco’s strength rules, which usually means a minimum length with a mix of letters, numbers, and a special character. Once you save it, that new password replaces cisco/cisco for all future logins. Make a note of it, because if you forget it the only way back in is a factory reset.

How to Change Your Cisco Admin Password Later

If you want to change the password again after setup, on the RV016, RV042, RV042G, and RV082 routers the path is straightforward.

1. Log in to the router’s web interface.
2. Choose Setup, then Password.
3. The Username field shows the default, admin. Enter your old password in the Old Password field.
4. Enter a new username if you want one, or leave it to keep the current name, then enter and confirm the new password.
5. Save the change.

Other RV models put the option under a System or Administration menu, but the idea is the same. Use a unique password of at least 12 characters.

What to Do If You Cannot Log In

The page will not load. Confirm 192.168.1.1 is your gateway and that you are connected to the router.

• On Windows: press Windows + R, type cmd, and run ipconfig. Read the “Default Gateway” line.
• On a phone: open your Wi-Fi network details and look for the gateway or router field.
• If it shows a different address, use that instead.

cisco/cisco and admin/admin both fail

The password was changed, possibly when the router was first set up years ago. A factory reset restores the default, covered below.

Your antivirus or firewall is blocking the page

Some security software blocks access to local router addresses. Temporarily check your firewall settings if the page refuses to load despite a good connection.

The page is stuck or shows an old version

Clear your browser cache or open a private window. A cached page can keep showing a login error even after you have fixed the underlying problem.

You got search results

The address went into a search engine, not the address bar. Click the bar at the very top of the window, clear it, type 192.168.1.1, and press Enter.

How to Reset a Cisco Router to Factory Settings

A factory reset erases everything: the password, all configuration, and any custom settings. The router returns to its defaults, so reset only when you are locked out and have no other way in.

1. With the router powered on, find the Reset button on the back, a recessed pinhole on most models.
2. Press and hold it for about 30 seconds. On older Cisco and Linksys-era models, a full reset sometimes needs the longer hold, so keep it pressed until the lights blink.
3. Release and wait a few minutes for the router to fully restart.
4. Log in with the default credentials for your model, cisco/cisco or admin/admin, and set a new password when prompted.

After a reset you will need to reconfigure your internet connection and Wi-Fi, since all of that is wiped.

Conclusion

Logging into a Cisco router depends a lot on the model you are using. Newer RV series routers often start with cisco/cisco, while older ones may use admin/admin, and both are usually accessed through 192.168.1.1. In most cases, the first time you log in, the router will immediately ask you to change the default password, so it is important to set something strong and memorable because recovering access later usually means doing a full reset. If neither default login works, it usually means the password was already changed, and the simplest way to regain access is a quick 30-second reset to restore factory settings.