MikroTik Router Login: IP, Username and Password
Log in to MikroTik at 192.168.88.1 with admin and a blank password, or the password on the sticker for newer models.
Older MikroTik devices use admin with no password. Newer ones print a unique password on the serial sticker.
MikroTik routers run RouterOS and are managed through WebFig in a browser at 192.168.88.1, through the WinBox desktop app, or through the MikroTik mobile app.
The default login changed in recent years, which confuses many users. Older devices use admin with an empty password, while newer devices ship with a unique password on a sticker. This guide covers both.
The fastest way in: tap the login button in the box at the top of this page, then sign in with the details on your router label.
How to log in to a MikroTik router
- Connect your computer to the router by Ethernet. On most home models use port 2 or higher, since port 1 is usually the internet (WAN) port.
- Open a browser and go to http://192.168.88.1 to load WebFig.
- Enter the username admin. Leave the password empty on older devices, or type the password from the sticker on newer ones.
- RouterOS will ask you to set a new password if the device still uses a blank one. Do it right away.
Prefer an app? Download WinBox from mikrotik.com. It can find the router by MAC address even when the IP is wrong.
WinBox by MAC address is the route I take when the IP will not answer.
MikroTik default login details
| Device age | Username | Password | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older RouterOS devices | admin | (blank) | Press Enter at the password prompt |
| Newer devices | admin | Unique password | Sticker with the serial number, box, or quick guide |
| Custom-branded units | Varies | Varies | Ask the seller or reseller |
MikroTik says newer devices no longer accept a blank password. If the sticker is missing, the distributor who sold the device can sometimes help with its serial number. The sticker password is the detail I check before I assume anything is broken.
WebFig, WinBox or the MikroTik app?
- WebFig: runs in any browser at 192.168.88.1. Best for quick changes.
- WinBox: a Windows app with the full RouterOS menu. It can connect by MAC address, which helps when the IP is unknown.
- MikroTik app: for Android and iPhone. Good for basic setup, WiFi and status checks.
- Quick Set: a simple screen inside WebFig and WinBox for home users. Use it for WiFi name, password and internet type.
For a quick change, WebFig is where I start; WinBox is for the deeper work.
How to change the MikroTik WiFi password
- Log in to WebFig or WinBox.
- Open Quick Set.
- Under Wireless, change Network Name and WiFi Password.
- Click Apply. Reconnect your devices with the new password.
Advanced users can set this under Wireless, Security Profiles, or WiFi, Security on RouterOS 7. Quick Set is the screen I use for a password change on a home router.
MikroTik login problems and fixes
- 192.168.88.1 does not load: you may be plugged into the WAN port. Move the cable to port 2.
- Blank password rejected: your device is a newer model. Use the password on the sticker.
- Address was changed: open WinBox and connect by MAC address from the Neighbors tab.
- Forgot the password: you need a reset. There is no password recovery on RouterOS.
- Router configured by your ISP: the provider may have its own login. Contact them before resetting.
The WAN-port mix-up is the mistake I see most on first setups.
How to reset a MikroTik router
- Unplug the power.
- Press and hold the reset button.
- Plug the power back in while still holding the button.
- Release it when the user LED starts flashing, usually after about 5 seconds.
- Log in again at 192.168.88.1 with the default login for your device.
Holding the button too long can start other modes, such as Netinstall. If that happens, unplug and try again. The LED flash is the signal I wait for before I let go of the button.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the default MikroTik IP?
Most MikroTik home and small office routers use 192.168.88.1 as the default address.
What is the default MikroTik password?
Older devices use admin with no password. Newer devices have a unique password printed on the sticker with the serial number.
Why does MikroTik say invalid user name or password?
The device may be a newer model with a sticker password, or someone already changed the password. Check the sticker, then reset if needed.
Can I log in to MikroTik without knowing the IP?
Yes. WinBox can find the router on the local network and connect by MAC address.
How do I reset MikroTik to factory settings?
Hold the reset button while powering on and release it when the user LED flashes. Then log in with the default credentials.
