401 Unauthorized Access to this resource is denied

[Retired_Member]

hi. I am using Chrome on Windows to access my (older WNDR400, yes, I know) router. this always worked fine and no settings were edited that I know of but today I got:

401 Unauthorized
Access to this resource is denied, your client has not supplied the correct authentication.

(no links to ignore msg, unfortunately)

I cleared my browser cookies, cache, etc. I even did an ipconfig /flushdns. I rebooted the router. nothing. so I reset the router. nothing. I know the factory login and password: admin/password. 

internet access seems ok (although have speed questions - another time...)

could Windows firewall settings or Chrome settings be the issue? or is this a Netgear issue?

PLEASE HELP, thanx....