Intermediate

Forgotten Admin Password Recovery

Lost access to router or filtering software. Recover or reset admin credentials safely.

⏱️ Time Required: 10-30 minutes πŸ”§ Difficulty: Intermediate

Router Admin Password Recovery

1 Try Default Credentials First

If you never changed the password, it might still be the factory default:

Common Default Passwords:

  • Username: admin | Password: admin
  • Username: admin | Password: password
  • Username: admin | Password: (blank/empty)
  • Username: administrator | Password: administrator

Find Your Router's Defaults:

  1. Check the label on the bottom/back of your router
  2. Look in the router's manual (or download from manufacturer website)
  3. Visit RouterPasswords.com or DefaultPassword.com
  4. Search Google for "[Your router model] default password"
Popular Router Defaults:
  • Netgear: admin / password
  • TP-Link: admin / admin
  • Linksys: admin / admin (or blank)
  • ASUS: admin / admin
  • D-Link: admin / (blank)

2 Check Common Password Storage Locations

Before resetting, check if you saved the password somewhere:

  • Browser password manager (check saved passwords)
  • Password manager app (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden)
  • Sticky note on router or nearby
  • Family shared password document
  • Router setup documentation from ISP
  • Email search for "router password" or "WiFi setup"

3 Perform a Factory Reset

If defaults don't work and password is truly lost, reset the router:

How to Factory Reset Most Routers:

  1. Locate the Reset button on the router (usually recessed, requires paperclip)
  2. While router is powered ON, press and hold Reset button
  3. Hold for 10-30 seconds (LED lights will usually flash)
  4. Release button when lights flash or after 30 seconds
  5. Wait 2-3 minutes for router to fully restart
  6. Router will now accept factory default credentials

Brand-Specific Reset Instructions:

Netgear:
  1. Press and hold Reset button for 7 seconds
  2. Power LED will blink amber
  3. Release when LED turns white
TP-Link:
  1. Hold Reset button for 10 seconds while powered on
  2. All LEDs will turn off and back on
  3. Release button
ASUS:
  1. Hold Reset button for 5-10 seconds
  2. Power LED will flash slowly
  3. Release when LED stops flashing
Linksys:
  1. Hold Reset button for 10 seconds
  2. Power light will flash
  3. Release and wait for restart

4 Reconfigure After Reset

Once reset, you must set everything up again:

Immediate Steps:

  1. Connect to router using Ethernet cable or default WiFi
  2. Access router admin (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  3. Log in with factory default credentials
  4. IMMEDIATELY change admin password (and write it down!)
  5. Change WiFi network name and password

Restore Filtering:

  1. Configure DNS filtering (see our DNS filtering guide)
  2. Re-enable parental controls
  3. Set up guest network if needed
  4. Configure any other security settings
Pro Tip: Take screenshots of all important router settings so you have a backup if this happens again.

Filtering Software Password Recovery

OpenDNS Account

Forgot Password:

  1. Go to dashboard.opendns.com
  2. Click "Forgot Password?"
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Check email for password reset link
  5. Create new password

Forgot Email:

  • Check browser auto-fill when visiting dashboard
  • Search email for "OpenDNS" to find account confirmation
  • If truly lost, create a new account and reconfigure DNS settings
CleanBrowsing Account

Free Service:

No account required for free DNS filtering. Just use the DNS servers.

Paid Service:

  1. Go to cleanbrowsing.org/login
  2. Click "Forgot your password?"
  3. Enter registered email
  4. Follow email instructions to reset
Qustodio

Parent Account Recovery:

  1. Visit family.qustodio.com
  2. Click "Forgot password?"
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Check email for reset link (check spam folder)
  5. Set new password

Cannot Remove from Device:

If you can't log into Qustodio to uninstall it:

  1. Contact Qustodio support with proof of device ownership
  2. They can reset your account or provide removal instructions
  3. Last resort: Factory reset device (nuclear option)
Net Nanny

Account Recovery:

  1. Go to admin.netnanny.com
  2. Click "Forgot Password"
  3. Enter email and follow instructions

Lost Access Completely:

  1. Contact Net Nanny support: 1-800-485-3011
  2. Provide proof of purchase
  3. They can reset your account
Bark

Parent App Password Reset:

  1. Open Bark parent app
  2. Tap "Forgot password?" on login screen
  3. Enter email address
  4. Check email for code
  5. Enter code and set new password

Cannot Access Email:

  1. Contact Bark support via website
  2. Verify identity with billing information
  3. They can update email or reset account
Circle by Disney

App Password Reset:

  1. Open Circle app
  2. Login screen β†’ "Forgot Password?"
  3. Enter email and follow instructions

Physical Device Reset:

If you have the physical Circle device:

  1. Press and hold button on Circle device for 10 seconds
  2. LED will flash red
  3. Device resets to factory settings
  4. Reconfigure in app

Device-Level Controls Password Recovery

iOS Screen Time Passcode

Forgot Screen Time Passcode:

iOS 13.4 or Later:
  1. Settings β†’ Screen Time
  2. Tap "Change Screen Time Passcode"
  3. Tap again to confirm
  4. Select "Forgot Passcode?"
  5. Enter Apple ID and password used to set up Screen Time
  6. Create new Screen Time passcode
Older iOS Versions:

No recovery option available. Must factory reset device:

  1. Back up device to iCloud or computer first
  2. Settings β†’ General β†’ Transfer or Reset iPhone
  3. Erase All Content and Settings
  4. Set up as new device or restore backup
  5. Screen Time restrictions will be removed
Android Family Link

Parent Account Password:

  1. Visit accounts.google.com
  2. Click "Forgot password?"
  3. Follow Google account recovery process
  4. Verify identity with phone number or recovery email

Cannot Remove Family Link:

If parent account is lost and child device is locked:

  1. Factory reset is the only option
  2. Power off device
  3. Boot into recovery mode (varies by device, usually Volume Down + Power)
  4. Select "Wipe data/factory reset"
  5. Device will be completely wiped
Windows Family Safety

Microsoft Account Recovery:

  1. Go to account.microsoft.com
  2. Click "Sign in" then "Forgot password?"
  3. Enter email/phone/Skype name
  4. Verify identity (security code to email/phone)
  5. Create new password

Child Account Locked:

If you can't remove Family Safety from child's Windows account:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode (restart, hold Shift, Troubleshoot β†’ Advanced β†’ Startup Settings β†’ Safe Mode)
  2. Log in as local administrator
  3. Remove child from family via Settings β†’ Accounts β†’ Family
  4. Or create new local admin account and migrate data
macOS Screen Time

Recovery Process:

Similar to iOS, but slightly different:

  1. System Settings (or Preferences) β†’ Screen Time
  2. Click lock icon, try to change passcode
  3. "Forgot Passcode?"
  4. Enter Apple ID credentials
  5. Reset passcode

If Apple ID Method Fails:

  1. Boot into Recovery Mode (restart, hold Cmd+R)
  2. Utilities β†’ Terminal
  3. Type: resetpassword
  4. Select user account
  5. Option to reset Screen Time passcode appears

Prevention: Never Lose Passwords Again

Use a Password Manager

Store all filtering/router passwords securely:

Physical Backup

Digital Backup (Encrypted)

Family Password Sharing

Documentation

Best Practice: Store router admin password in two locationsβ€”password manager + written note in locked drawer.

When to Contact Support

Some situations require manufacturer assistance:

Contact Router Manufacturer If:

Contact Filtering Service If:

Contact Device Manufacturer (Apple/Google/Microsoft) If:

Support Resources:
  • Apple Support: 1-800-275-2273 or support.apple.com
  • Google Support: support.google.com (no phone support for consumer accounts)
  • Microsoft Support: 1-800-642-7676 or support.microsoft.com

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