The local network default IP address for some home broadband routers including most Belkin models and some models made by Edimax, Siemens, and SMC is 192.168.2.1. This IP address is set on certain brands and models when first sold, but any router or computer on a local network can be configured to use it.

Are you perhaps looking for 192.168.1.2 instead?

Using 192.168.2.1 to Connect to a Router

All routers use an IP address to connect to the router’s administrative console and configure its settings. You may never need to access these settings, as most home routers provide a wizard-like interface that walks you through the setup. However, if you have problems installing the router or you want to perform some advanced configuration, you may need to access the router’s console.

If a router uses 192.168.2.1, log in to the router console from the local network by entering this IP address in the address bar of a web browser:

http://192.168.2.1/

Once connected, a home router prompts the user for an administrator username and password. This username and password combination is set at the factory, used during the initial login, and should be changed to something more secure after the router is set up.

Some home internet providers that supply routers and other networking equipment to households offer a feature that allows administrators to type a friendly name in the web browser instead of the IP address. For example, Belkin offers:

We’ve curated lists of the most common username and password combinations for Belkin, Cisco, D-Link, Linksys, and NETGEAR routers.

http://router

Troubleshoot Router Login Problems

If the browser responds with an error similar to “This webpage is not available,” the router is either offline — disconnected from the network — or unable to respond because of a technical problem. Here are some actions you can take to reestablish a connection to the router.

Check the Cable

Ensure that the ethernet cable that connects the router to the modem is in good shape and firmly seated. For non-wireless routers, check the cable that connects the device to the router.

It’s also possible that you’re on the wrong network, which can be fairly common with Wi-Fi. You may have mistyped the wrong IP address, or some similar issue could be happening. Be sure to double-check that you’re headed to the right IP address.

Check the Router

Check the LED lights on the router to ensure that the proper indicator lights are lit. Most routers, for example, display the connection status using an internet LED, wireless LED, and a numbered LED that identifies which port the computer is connected to. Compare these to the manufacturer’s user guide to ensure that all connections are valid.

Reconnect the Router

Here’s how to reset your connections:

  • Turn off the router. There may be a power switch on the back, or you can unplug it from the wall.
  • Wait 15-30 seconds, then turn the router back on.
  • Try again to connect. If you still can’t, continue to step 4.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Try again to reconnect.

If you still have trouble with the router and cannot connect to its administrative console, contact the router manufacturer.

Turn off the router. There may be a power switch on the back, or you can unplug it from the wall.

Wait 15-30 seconds, then turn the router back on.

Try again to connect. If you still can’t, continue to step 4.

Restart your computer.

Try again to reconnect.

Restrictions on Using This Address

The address 192.168.2.1 is a private IPv4 network address, meaning that it cannot be used to connect to a router from outside the home network. The router’s public IP address must be used instead.

To avoid IP address conflicts, only one device at a time on the local network can use 192.168.2.1. Home networks with two routers running simultaneously, for example, must be set up with different addresses.

To confirm which address a local router is using, look up the default gateway set on any devices currently connected to it. On a Windows PC, access the router’s IP address (called the default gateway) using the ipconfig command.

To use ipconfig, open Command Prompt and enter ipconfig. This displays a list of the computers network adapters. For instance, on a laptop, you would probably see two here—maybe ‘Ethernet’ and ‘WiFi’—if not more. The router’s IP address (assuming the computer is connected to the local network) is the “Default Gateway” under the Local Area Connection section.

Changing This Address

You can change the router address, as long as it is within the allowed range for private IP addresses. Even though 192.168.2.1 is a common default address, changing it does not significantly improve the home network’s security.

Routers using non-default IP address settings can be restored to use the original defaults through the hard reset process.

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