Can't access my router's web page to change some settings

[Enowil]

I'll be a brief as I know how. I have a Netgear WPN824v2 router. I was unable to access the router's web page recently because the login screen wouldn't take my username and password, even though they were correct. I know they were correct because I set up my wireless printer and Roku player with that very same password that the router login dialogue box wouldn't take. I called Netgear but they wouldn't help me because I purchased the router in August 2007 and the dadblame warranty has been out since December 2007, and they don't work for free. Therefore thank goodness for forums like this eh. I figured my only option was to reset the router which is what I did. Stuck a pin in the reset button. Of course I did all this from the desktop computer which is connected by wire to the Internet modem and my router. Then using the original installation disk and the setup wizard I proceded to set up the router, but encountered a problem. When I got to step three it said "PPPoE detected" and asked for my ISP user name and password. I've reset that router before and don't remember having seen seeing that before now, but anyway, I got around it by clicking on the link for manual set up which allowed me to use the default username and password, and it then let me through to the router's web page. I then clicked on the option that indicated that my ISP did not require a login, and so changed the default password for router login. Then I went to the settings page and changed the passphrase. At that time the router acquired the IP address and gave me all green indicators. I thought all was well. I went upstairs and changed the settings in my laptop so it would connect to the network. It did. Then I reconnected my wireless printer and Roku palyer. Later I tried to access the router's webpage to clear the log, which I have a habbit of doing every day at least once a day. I used the new passowrd but the login dialogue box on the login page wouldn't accept it, just like before I reset it. Every third attempt it gave error 401.

So what am I to do now? Reset it again? This next bit of information is a bit personel, but is directly germane to the problem. I don't know if I can even obtain the ISP username and password because the account belongs to my dad, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't remember it, as I know he had trouble himself accessing his AT&T account page for the very reason that he couldn't remember his login formation. It's not his faule, he's 83, but obviously I'm not sure that if I call AT&T they will even give it to me.

That's about the size of the problem. How do I regain access to the router's Internet page through my laptop and wireless connection?

Thank you.

[OldMan64]

There are some possibilities. Considering the age of the router, it may just be failing. Another could be someone has guessed or knows the passphrase and is resetting the password just to mess with you, so try a different passphrase. Use a stronger encryption than WEP, also. If the same thing happens after changing those things, I would invest in a new router. It does not make much sense that the ISP is causing a router problem like you describe and really doubt that they will give you the information you desire. The best that you could possibly do is convince them to reset the password, but I do not think you need that, anyways.

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our computer section. This is not video related.

[aedipuss]

did you try combos of the default username/pass and the new one? i've had routers not take a new pass for no reason. try combos with the default admin/admin.

[Enowil]

Moving you to our computer section. This is not video related.

Thanks. Entirely my fault. I didn't understand why folks were talking about various and sundry computer problems on a blog called video something. Shows how much I don't know.

[Enowil]

did you try combos of the default username/pass and the new one? i've had routers not take a new pass for no reason. try combos with the default admin/admin.

Yes I've tried various combinations. Nothing worked. I just a few minutes ago reset the logon information on my Roku player and it was immediately able to access my network and the Internet with the self same password info, so it's correct. I was able to get the ISP username and password but didn't have time this morning after work to mess with it. Tonight is my Frriday so tomorrow morning I'll try talking with the reset again. Thanks again.

[october262]

on my router, if you hold the reset button in it will return to factory defaults.

[prouton]

First, are you sure that your laptop, used wirelessly upstairs, is connecting to your router and not a neighbor's unsecured wireless? Second, are you clear that the passphrase for a wireless connection and the userid/password for accessing the router's settings are two entirely different things? Third, have you, um, checked your caps lock setting on the laptop?

[Bjs]

Normally they should be rock solid ... but then again they should be used on a network with fixed ip addressing only, more stable.

I use these on many networks and when they bit the dust you need to be physically connected and change the systems ip address to match those specified on the router case to logon ... dont leave the connected computer on auto configuration as this wont work. Reset the routers ip address to match the requirements of the network and reboot it ... change the computers ip to match the network chosen ip address table. Now logon again and make final adjustments ... and dont forget to look for the "backup" button ... this save a lot of time.

Oh, and the router does not need to know the isp details at all.

Why do you need to enter the routers password into roku player and wireless printer ? ... that is not correct they dont need to know those, only the secured wireless key if enabled.

Netgear support ... score 3 out of 10 ... almost useless.

So:

1: Adsl / cable / sat unit holds isp details and password ... ip ex : 10.0.0.1
2: Router does not need to know isp details, only to act as wireless ... ip ex: 10.0.0.2
3: Computer near router ... ip ex : 10.0.0.3
4: Roku and printer ip ex : 10.0.0.4 and 10.0.0.5

You should be able to setup the router to all device connection by name ... and to reject all others ... keeping neighbors out.

If web browser still problematic ... clear web browser cache, restart browser ... if using ie switch to mozilla firefox ... should solve the problem with login

Personally you should avoid units with quick share button feature thou in the home it may be fine.

If your father had his email ever setup on a computer its generally the same user id and password for the isp account ... This link has a few recovery utility's for outlook express and others

[aedipuss]

i've had routers that wouldn't allow admin page access wirelessly, they needed a wired connection.

[Enowil]

First, are you sure that your laptop, used wirelessly upstairs, is connecting to your router and not a neighbor's unsecured wireless? Second, are you clear that the passphrase for a wireless connection and the userid/password for accessing the router's settings are two entirely different things? Third, have you, um, checked your caps lock setting on the laptop?

um...Yes to all that, of course. Thanks though.

[Enowil]

To Bjs: OK, I may have misspoken if I said I had to put the password into the Roku player and wireless printer. I was of course referring to the WPA-PSK passphrase. I had to change the settings in each to match the new passphrase so they could connect. Those IP addresses you mentioned are the correct ones, or they were when I used to be able to access the router's settings page. The rest of the stuff you mentioned idk. You lost me, and if I remember correctly the router is configured to automatically obtain its IP from idk what. Without having it here in front of me and looking at the settings or the manual idk what, since I'm not at home right now and don't know what I'm talking about right now all I can say is thank you for your input.

[Enowil]

i've had routers that wouldn't allow admin page access wirelessly, they needed a wired connection.

Right, but I've had this router for four years five months and I've always had wireless access to the router's web page. I have accessed it from my laptop before this one, and now this one, literally hundreds of times, but all of a sudden, now I cant. It's working, doing it's job, it just won't let me see it anymore. I have the icon for it on my Networks page, I can click on it's properties and actually see the correct passphrase key if I check the box to show the letters. It has the correct SSID so it's mine. I wonder if it could have anything to do with that REALTEK USB long range network adapter I bought recently. I don't use it at home, only at work, but maybe I should disable it anyway when I'm home. No I guess I can't do that since it's not connected at home so it not...oh um...idk.

[TimA-C]

Hi Enowil. A few things that crossed my mind;-

1. Really Basic (sorry) CapsLock key hit by mistake either when setting password or trying to log in?

2. I think all the Netgear devices I've used over the years require you to save the settings on each page before moving to a different page and making more changes. (Try the default Netgear login in case you didn't actually save your new password)

3. Some online banks want you to install an encryption util (can't remember the name at the moment) that encrypts data entry on certain websites (not just the bank's) and I've seen that mess up online logins, although I haven't seen this happen for a while now.

[jan5678]

Do you use a different browser?
I live in the netherlands and the router of my dad's isp won't allow browsers other then Internet Explorer. in other words only works with IE
clear browser cache and use a wired connection. most routers don't allow admin login over wireless
it's just a tought

[TimA-C]

Do you use a different browser?
I live in the netherlands and the router of my dad's isp won't allow browsers other then Internet Explorer. in other words only works with IE
clear browser cache and use a wired connection. most routers don't allow admin login over wireless
it's just a tought

I've never had a problem logging into a router via a wireless connection so I'd be surprised if that was the case. Unless it's a firewall issue? You could try temporarily disabling your firewall on your laptop to check this.

I've just re-read the thread and noticed that there seems to be a little confusion between the login password and wireless passkey - they're not usually the same. Most of the Netgear stuff I've used has had the default login of admin/password or maybe admin/netgear.

Are you actually getting a login window asking for username and password or is it failing before this? Are you sure you're typing the address of the router and not the cable modem into the browser?

As you were able to reset the router and re-configure it from the wired PC downstairs, could you not do this again taking special care to make sure that you can repeatedly log into the router from that machine (and backup the router's settings) before going back to the wirelessly connected laptop.

Let us know how you get on.

[Enowil]

Thanks y'all. I got it done. New router, stronger signal, no more drop outs or other problems.

[sanlyn]

Thanks y'all. I got it done. New router, stronger signal, no more drop outs or other problems.

Wow, and I was just about to tell you, your router has developed a bad circuit. But since you got a new one, that's great. Don't feel alone. When I first read your original post I figured you'd end up with a new router. Happens often.