I don't know my router password Model: C6900

[littlebro5]

Obligatory: I'm using a NETGEAR AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router. The model is C6900. I would've put that in the text box that says model but this company literally doesn't even list my router model and instead insists it doesn't exist. Anyway. I'm trying to change my router channel, but to do that I need to access my router. I was the person who SET UP this router and I never changed the person or was ever prompted to enter any security questions. The default user/pass listed ON the router is admin and password. However, these don't work. I'm 100% sure I can type "password" into a textbox so I'm 100% sure it's not the password. Of course, the problem is that I never changed it. I tried my 2 passwords I use normally and all variations of them and of course none of them work, which makes sense because I never changed it. And the security questions, which I also never set up also don't work. I'm pretty sure I know my brother's first name and my father's middle name so I don't think I could possibly get those two wrong. If NETGEAR wants to tell me I don't know my brother's name then well I guess I'm an idiot. I then tried to restore my router to factory settings. Multiple times. And the user/pass HAS STILL NOT REVERTED BACK TO THE DEFAULT "admin" and "password". I don't have caps lock on or anything and at this point I really am not sure what to do. As well I love how this system is set up so it's impossible to get support from this company unless you pay an additional premium fee. I don't know many tech companies that refuse to even give out a PHONE NUMBER for help. And with that I have to send in a proof of purchase. Is this company really so shallow as to value a couple bucks over providing an actually decent service and making their customers happy?

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> [...] this company literally doesn't even list my router model [...]

   On the bright side, there is a User Manual for it.  Visit
http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look for
Documentation.  Get the User Manual.

> [...] I'm 100% sure I can type "password" into a textbox [...]

   And "admin"?

> [...] I then tried to restore my router to factory settings. [...]

   How, exactly?  Did you hold the button down until the LED indicators
did interesting things ("for at least seven seconds")?  You might also
try a reset with nothing connected to the C6900 (except its power
adapter).

> [...] I never changed it. [...]

   According to the User Manual ("Log In to the Modem Router", page 19):

      The first time you log in to the modem router, you are prompted to
      change the admin password and set up security questions. You must
      enter these settings before you can access the Internet.

which makes it sound as if you could never have gotten far without
specifying a non-default "admin" password.

   Normally, actual behavior tends to agree with the documentation, but
exceptions are possible, especially with a cable-TV modem(+router),
because the ISP has complete control over such parameters.  You might
want to ask your ISP if they might have done anything unexpected.  They
might also be able to reload the firmware, on the off chance that
something in it got scrambled.

> [...] Is this company really so shallow [...]

   Apparently.

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> [...] this company literally doesn't even list my router model [...]

   On the bright side, there is a User Manual for it.  Visit
http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look for
Documentation.  Get the User Manual.

> [...] I'm 100% sure I can type "password" into a textbox [...]

   And "admin"?

> [...] I then tried to restore my router to factory settings. [...]

   How, exactly?  Did you hold the button down until the LED indicators
did interesting things ("for at least seven seconds")?  You might also
try a reset with nothing connected to the C6900 (except its power
adapter).

> [...] I never changed it. [...]

   According to the User Manual ("Log In to the Modem Router", page 19):

      The first time you log in to the modem router, you are prompted to
      change the admin password and set up security questions. You must
      enter these settings before you can access the Internet.

which makes it sound as if you could never have gotten far without
specifying a non-default "admin" password.

   Normally, actual behavior tends to agree with the documentation, but
exceptions are possible, especially with a cable-TV modem(+router),
because the ISP has complete control over such parameters.  You might
want to ask your ISP if they might have done anything unexpected.  They
might also be able to reload the firmware, on the off chance that
something in it got scrambled.

> [...] Is this company really so shallow [...]

   Apparently.

[littlebro5]

Perhaps my memory fails me. Maybe I did change the password or enter security question but regardless I reset the router by, yes, holding down the reset button for up to 7 seconds. (btw yes I made sure I spelled admin right, just did it again right now to make sure lol). I can appreciate your answer despite my flaminess.

Just tried it again, with everything unplugged like you suggested. Are you jesus? Thank you so much I love you. I'd give you gold if this was reddit (no i wouldn't im poor but thanks so much anyway). I set the password to "password" just in case I run into a similar problem in the future

[antinode]

> Just tried it again, with everything unplugged like you suggested.

   I know nothing, but I gather that that can make a difference in some
cases.  Glad to hear that you got it working.  (Although it would be
hard to prove that disconnecting everything actually made the
difference.  Perhaps we're merely perpetuating an old wives' tale.)

> [...] Are you jesus? [...]

   If I were, then I could have done it all without involving you.  More
likely, I've just spent more time reading reports of successes and
failures on these forums.