Nighthawk MR60 WiFi 6 Mesh Router - Why do I need Internet to access router settings?

I am indeed connected to the WiFi network on the 5Ghz frequency. However, there are times the router doesn't allow internet access to one of my laptops. Therefore I am forced to reboot the Nighthawk router (a whole other monster of a problem for this router). BUT it appears that I am forced to do so with another device that HAS internet access since my laptop with the issue can't reach the router/gateway.

Which is to my initial point, WHY does the router seem to need internet access just to access its settings? When trying to access the gateway via IP (eg: 192.168.1.1 typed into the browser), I get unresolved connection. No router in my 10 years of managing home networks require internet access! Hell I should be able to configure this router before it even connects to an ISP modem. Did I do something wrong with a setting?