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Forum Discussion
AC1900 forced me to change password and security questions
My router just did the thing described in this other thread below that was closed due to lack of activity. Namely, it suddenly cut off internet access and demanded that I set the admin password and s...
wmnwmn wrote:
Namely, it suddenly cut off internet access and demanded that I set the admin password and security questions.
That usually happens when you are trying to do something with the router, like get into its controls.
If you are talking about access to the browser's graphical user interface (GUI), the router's controls, these are on the label for your device, along with the default wifi login details. The username is fixed at admin. The default password is password.
If you are trying to use the "password recovery" option, there is a bug in Netgear's implementation of password recovery on some devices. You can get locked into a closed loop.
If password recovery is enabled, but you have not set the answers to the questions, it keeps sending you back to the beginning of the process. If you haven't already given the thing your personal answers, they are not in its memory and it has no way of knowing if they are correct.
If the standard factory password (password) does not work, then you will have to factory reset the thing to get back to that. Then either disable password recovery (check the manual for your device) or provide some answers to those questions.
How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
You have posted your message in the section of this community given over to Nighthawk WiFi Routers. (This is easily done, given Netgear's complicated community structure.)
Many questions apply to different types of device, so there may be useful responses here, but you might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware. That's probably here:
Cable Modems & Routers
In the meantime you could visit the support pages:
Support | NETGEAR
Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware. Look at the label on the device for the model number.
You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.
I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.
I wasn't doing anything with the router, I was just on the wifi and then it cut off. Firefox believed it was now in a captive portal it wanted me to go to the router and log in. Other browsers behaved differently but the internet was cut off both wired and wireless. After calling the cable co. and going through their various checks, I eventually realized that I probably just needed to change the router password as it was asking me to do. So I did that and then internet worked again.
This is the exact same thing reported in the other thread (that was closed for lack of activity). It is clearly something that this router does at times, or else it is a result of hacking (my worry). If I factory-reset, can I guarantee that a hacker is booted out?