Changing a router's local IP address is a standard procedure required when expanding a home network or resolving hardware conflicts. Users often encounter situations where they need to combine two devices into a single infrastructure, and the default settings no longer work correctly. Understanding how to change a WiFi device's IP address will help you properly build a complex network architecture.
Most routers come with factory default settings such as 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, which are convenient for initial setup. However, when connecting a second router in access point mode or when cascading, these values may overlap, causing internet interruptions. Proper network address management is the foundation for a stable local network.
Changing the settings does not require in-depth programming knowledge, but it does require care and attention to the details of your equipment's interface. Local address — This is the unique identifier for your gateway within your home network, and changing it will affect how all devices connect. In this article, we'll cover all the details of reconfiguring it so you can avoid common mistakes.
⚠️ Important: After changing the router's IP address, all connected devices will lose internet access until they reconnect or receive the new settings automatically. Make sure you know the new address to log in to the admin panel.
Why do I need to change my router's address?
The main reason users change their default gateway is to connect a second router to the first one to extend WiFi coverage. If both devices have the same address, for example, 192.168.0.1, a conflict will occur, and the network will stop functioning properly. In this situation, computers and smartphones will be unable to determine which device should send requests to connect to the global network.
Furthermore, changing the address is often necessary for increased security or simply for ease of administration. Some system administrators prefer to use non-standard subnets to logically separate smart home devices from work computers. This helps structure traffic and simplifies setting up filtering rules and parental controls.
- 📡 Eliminate addressing conflicts when connecting two or more routers to a single network.
- 🔒 Increased security by eliminating the default factory settings.
- 🏠 Logical division of the network into subnets for different groups of devices (guests, IoT, PCs).
- ⚙️ Bypass provider restrictions if they bind services to a specific address range.
It is important to understand the difference between WAN IP (external address provided by the provider) and LAN IP (the router's internal address). This guide covers changing the internal address of the local network only. The external IP address is changed using other methods and is often dynamic, depending on the terms of the contract with the service provider.
Preparing to change network settings
Before making any changes to your hardware configuration, you need to ensure a stable connection between your computer and the router. It's best to use a wired connection via Ethernet cable, as changing the WiFi settings can disconnect your connection, and you may lose access to the control panel. This is especially true for older router models.
You'll also need to know the current gateway address and, ideally, have the device documentation handy. Standard addresses are most often in the 192.168.xx range, but may vary by manufacturer. To access the setup interface, you'll typically use the credentials found on the sticker on the bottom of the device.
☑️ Preparing to set up the network
It's recommended to write down your current network settings in advance so you can quickly restore them if an error occurs. If you plan to change the subnet, make sure the new range doesn't overlap with the primary router's range if they'll be used together. For example, if the primary router broadcasts 192.168.0.x, it's best to assign 192.168.1.x or 192.168.10.x to the secondary router.
Login to the router control panel
To begin the process, you need to log in to the device's web interface. Open any browser on a computer connected to the router and enter the current IP address in the address bar. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, however, some models TP-Link or Tenda can use domain names like tplinkwifi.net.
After entering the address, the system will ask for your username and password. If you've never changed these details, use the default pair, which often looks like admin/admin. For devices Keenetic or ASUS The password can be unique and located on a label under the device's body. Please be careful when entering it, as the system is case-sensitive.
| Manufacturer | Standard IP | Default login | Default password |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | admin |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | admin | admin |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | (empty) |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | admin | 1234 |
If you're unable to log in, try clearing your browser's cache or using incognito mode. Sometimes antivirus programs or firewalls can block access to local settings pages, detecting them as potentially unsafe. In this case, it's worth temporarily disabling protection for maintenance.
What to do if you forgot your router password?
If the default password doesn't work and you haven't changed it yourself, it may have been changed previously. In this case, the only solution is a full factory reset. There's a small hole on the back panel that needs to be pressed with a paperclip for 10-15 seconds while the router is powered on. This will reset the router to the factory settings indicated on the sticker.
Find the LAN section in the interface
The interfaces of different routers vary greatly visually, but their design logic is the same. You need to find the section responsible for the local network. It's usually called LAN, Local Network or Network -> LANIn modern firmware MikroTik or Ubiquiti This setting may be located in the IP or Interfaces section.
Within this section you are interested in the field labeled as IP AddressThis is where the current gateway address is specified. The subnet mask (Subnet Mask) may also be located, but is typically left unchanged (255.255.255.0) unless you have specific network size requirements.
Please note the presence of a checkbox or setting DHCP ServerThis service automatically assigns addresses to connected devices. If you change the router's IP address, the DHCP pool should also be adjusted accordingly so that it's within the same subnet. For example, if the router's address is 192.168.10.1, the DHCP pool should start at 192.168.10.2.
The process of changing the IP address and saving
Once you've found the desired field, enter the new address. Make sure you're using the correct format of four numbers separated by periods. The valid range for each octet is 0 to 255. Don't use reserved addresses such as 127.0.0.1 (loopback) or 255.255.255.255 (broadcast).
After entering a new value, you must press the button Save or ApplyThe router will warn you that applying the settings will require a reboot or will result in a connection loss. Accept the action. From this point on, the device will switch to the new address, and the connection to the computer at the old address will be lost.
To continue working, you'll need to manually change the IP address of your computer's network card so it's in the same subnet as the router's new address, or simply reconnect to the network if DHCP has already been updated. Then, enter the new address in your browser to check if the control panel is accessible.
⚠️ Note: If you can't access the settings after changing the address, try completely rebooting the router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Also, check to see if your antivirus software is blocking access to the new subnet.
Setting up a DHCP server after changing IP
A critical step is to correctly configure the DHCP address range. If the router has the address 192.168.5.1, the pool of distributed addresses should look something like 192.168.5.100 - 192.168.5.200. If you leave the old range (for example, 192.168.0.100), devices will receive addresses incompatible with the new gateway, and the internet will not work.
In the LAN settings section, find the settings DHCP Server. Make sure the feature is enabled. In the fields Start IP Address And End IP Address Enter new values corresponding to the third group of digits of your new IP address. The Lease Time can be left at the default value, typically 120 minutes or 720 minutes.
Some advanced users prefer to assign static IP addresses to important devices, such as network printers or NAS storage. This is done in the Address Reservation or Static DHCPHere, the device's MAC address is linked to a specific IP address, ensuring that the address remains the same even after a router reboot.
- 🔢 Make sure that the Start IP is in the same subnet as the router IP.
- 🚫 Do not include the router's address itself in the DHCP range to avoid conflicts.
- 💾 Save the settings and restart your device to apply the changes.
After applying DHCP settings, it is recommended to unplug the network cable on your computer and reconnect it to initiate a new address request. Check the received address using the command line by entering the command ipconfig (for Windows) or ifconfig (for Linux/Mac). The "Default Gateway" line should contain your new IP address.
Resolving access issues after a shift
If after all these steps you still can't connect to the internet and you can't access the control panel, first check the physical connection. Are the LAN indicators on the router and the computer's network card lit? Are they blinking when data is being transmitted? A lack of indicators may indicate a faulty cable or port.
A common problem is DNS or ARP table caching on a computer. The computer may "remember" an old MAC address for an old IP address, or vice versa. To clear this data, open the command prompt as administrator and enter the command ipconfig /flushdns, and then arp -d *After this, try pinging the new address again.
ping 192.168.10.1 -tThis command will continuously check the router's availability. If you see a "Timeout exceeded" response, there's no connection. If you see "Response from..." responses but the browser doesn't load the page, the issue may be with the browser or cache. Try opening the settings in incognito mode or using a different browser.
How to reset settings if access is lost?
If you've changed the address and forgotten it, or the settings have become corrupted, the only solution is a hard reset. Find the reset button on the router (often recessed). With the router turned on, press it with a paperclip for 10-15 seconds until the lights flash simultaneously. The router will reboot with factory settings, and you can log in using the address on the sticker.
Customization features for different manufacturers
Different brands use their own web interface skins, which can be confusing for inexperienced users. For example, in routers TP-Link with the green interface you need to go to Network -> LANIn the new blue interfaces TPLink Cloud the path may be Advanced -> Network -> LAN Settings.
Devices ASUS with ASUSWRT firmware there is a menu on the left where you need to select Local Area Network (LAN), and then the tab LAN IP addressVLAN settings are often located here, which should not be touched unless necessary. Routers Keenetic (formerly Zyxel) have a very logical structure: Home network -> IP parameters.
For equipment MikroTik The procedure looks more complicated and requires working with the IP Addresses table. In the menu IP -> Addresses You need to add a new address with the required mask (for example, /24) and specify the interface (usually bridge-local or ether1). After that, in the section IP -> DHCP Server You need to reconfigure the network and address pool.
⚠️ Note: Firmware interfaces may be updated by the manufacturer. Menu locations may change. If you don't see the described options, look for sections labeled "Network," "LAN," "Local," or "TCP/IP."
In conclusion, it's worth noting that properly configuring IP addressing is key to a stable home network. Spending a few minutes exploring the interface and entering the correct values will save you from numerous connection issues in the future. Remember to take every step deliberately, and record your changes.
Can I use any IP address for my router?
No, you can't. You must use addresses from reserved private ranges (10.0.0.0–10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0–172.31.255.255, 192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255). Using public addresses will prevent you from accessing the internet.
What to do if the new IP address is not saved?
Check that this address isn't already taken by another device on the network. Also, make sure you're entering the address in the correct format and that it doesn't match the WAN address (unless your ISP uses a static IP). Try selecting an address at the end of the range, such as .250.
Do I need to reconfigure WiFi after changing my IP?
The WiFi settings themselves (network name and password) are not reset. However, devices may need to reconnect to obtain a new IP address from the DHCP server. In rare cases, it is recommended to forget the network on your phone and reconnect.
Does changing IP address affect internet speed?
Changing your local IP address in itself doesn't affect your internet speed. Speed depends on your plan, cable quality, and bandwidth usage. However, proper configuration can eliminate conflicts that cause packet loss.