changing wifi password BUT will not work because....

[frannyz1]

I cannot change the password on my router (actiontec) because it says the connection to the site is not private. I will add the user name and password, hit enter, and it will go to a "bad request" or nothing at all. I cannot override. I cannot do it on a private (incognito window), I clear my cache, I disabled my anti-virus. I was on verizon chat last night for 2 hours and even he couldn't figure it out.  The verizon chat man said he will ask his associates and keep my window open for 24 hours but really Am I stuck with this long password?

[gs0b]

FYI, you're talking to other customers here.

First, know that the Actiontec routers (MI424WR) are really old and should be retired as soon as possible.  They are no longer supported by Verizon or Actiontec, and no longer receive security updates.  I'm actually surprised Verizon support tried to help you.

If you have Verizon TV services, you've two options to replace the router.  One is to rent or buy a G3100 from Verizon.  $15/month rent or $299 purchase.  It's their latest router with WiFi-6 capabilities.  It's great if you want the fastest WiFi router Verizon supports.  If you'd rather not spend this much, pickup a used G1100 online.  They can be had for well under $50, are fully supported by Verizon(*), have a guest WiFi network, and provide plenty fast WiFi even for gigabit service (300-500Mbps WiFi).

If you don't have Verizon TV service, you can use any router you like.  You may have to switch your ONT from coax WAN to Ethernet WAN, but that's an easy and free process from Verizon.  You'll just have to run an Ethernet cable from the ONT to the router.  Of course, Verizon won't provide any support for non-Verizon routers.

If you still want to use your old, unsupported, insecure Actiontec you can try a few things.  First, when you connect to it and get the "insecure" warning from your browser, click on the option to ignore it and proceed.  This should allow you to access it even though it has a self signed certificate.  If you're still having issues, try a factory reset on the router.  This will return all settings to default and set all passwords to the values on the label.

Note that if you get a new Verizon router (G3100 or G1100), they too will present a self-signed certificate to your browser, which will result in the "insecure" warning.  You can ignore it.  You can also configure these routers through the Verizon app or web site, so you'll have other options to change the WiFi password.

(*) Be sure to purchase a G1100 with Verizon firmware, as there are some units with Frontier firmware and Verizon logos out there.  They are not supported by Verizon.  Make sure the seller discloses the firmware and has a fair return policy.

[frannyz1]

Thank you, but after typing this I realized this was a FIOS thread, so not sure if this answer will still be good, I tried doing this in high speed internet thread, but got taken down since it was a duplicate. The actiontec was actually sold to me by Verizon just last year. I have DSL no fios in my part of town unfortunately. The only other option is back to cable.

[gs0b]

Ah, that makes more sense.

While I'm not familiar with the current DSL modem/routers, it's very likely it has a self signed certificate.  These cause all modern browsers to present the security warning screen.  Simply choose the option that says you accept the risk and you should be able to login and do what you want.  If that still doesn't work, post some screen shots and someone might be able to figure out what is going on.

I'll also ask the moderators to move this thread to the DSL board.

[frannyz1]

That’s the problem. No option to bypass. I hit enter and it comes back to the same page asking for ID and password.

[gs0b]

Post some screenshots.

[frannyz1]

 this is before

[frannyz1]

 This is when I type the info I hit enter then it goes back to the first screen

[frannyz1]

Picture not showing up?

[Cang_Household]

Please be patient as pictures are being approved by the moderators.

Those are HTTP Basic Auth dialogs. I never used an Actiontec router. What revision do you have?

[gs0b]

Can you take a screen shot instead of a picture?  That will be clearer, not rotated, and will show the entire browser window.  In particular, I'm curious if the browser "lock" icon is present, and if so, any warnings that go with it.  That will indicate if self-signed certificates are involved. 

If you don't have a good screen shot tool on your Windows computer, try https://getgreenshot.org

You can also google for various ways to perform screen shots on any device.

That said, the pictures you posted appear to be past any browser certificate warnings.  I'd still like to check, though.  A full screen shot may reveal other details that can help the folk here figure out what is going on.

[frannyz1]

When I get back from work I will try that link for the screen shot. I did originally try for the screenshot on my computer but a message appeared saying I was not authorized to place a photo (or something like that).

But anyway, nothing to bypass. No warnings. I enter admin and password and the screen comes back blank. No error messages, nothing.  (If I type the password incorrectly like lower case an error message does appear).

[gs0b]

Hmm... unlikely it's a certificate issue.  I'm almost stumped.  Have you tried a factory reset?  Other computers?

Did you mention the modem/router model?  If it's the same model dexman has, maybe they will be able to help you.  I haven't touched DSL gear in a well over a decade.

[dexman]

My church has a Verizon Actiontec GT784WNV.

Using our Microsoft Surface Pro 3, I was able to log into the unit, navigate to the tab that contains the option to change the Administrative password and complete the process (remembering to change it back at the end 🙂).

I took a series of screen shots if anyone is interested in seeing what they look like. One of them is of the password change page.

The bottom right of the screens say "Copyright (c) 2011 Actiontec Inc. All Rights Reserved".

[frannyz1]

thats exactly what I have. I use the password that is on the label in the back of the router. That password is good because my phone etc. is using that password. If I logged in using the password, "password" it won't work will it?  When I googled before, there were different IP addresses to try. Is that worth a try. Like I said, mine doesn't do a thing. Lets me type in admin, and password, I hit enter, then it goes back to the screen waiting for me to type something in.  I also do not have another computer to try this on.

[gs0b]

When you say "that password is good because my phone etc. is using that password," do you mean they are using it for WiFi or to login to the admin panel?  In many cases, the WiFi password is different than the admin password.

Some quick googling suggests the default web UI password for DSL modem/routers could be the serial number.  You could try that.

Dexman: can you comment on if the device you use has different WiFi and web UI passwords?  If so, what is shown on the label?

[frannyz1]

OK I have been using the wifi password as my password. But I know the default password is  "password" and no that doesn't work. I have tried that in lower case, upper case, and there is a pin number I tried that. I do get a result though. It says,  BAD REQUEST but at least its something lol. My wifi password just does nothing.

[dexman]

Hi gs0b!

• I'm not quite clear on the question, so, I'll explain the router. The unit, like the FiOS counterparts has different passwords for WiFi and administrative access.
• I enter 192.168.1.1 in the Edge browser, populate the default Username and Password which lands me on the router's homepage.

The default administrative username and password are not listed on the router. I found it by scanning Google. 🙂

[frannyz1]

and scanning google will tell you its admin and password....which do not work for me.

I guess the only other thing is a reset, which I actually did 2 days ago before trying this password thing and as you see it didn't help me. Guess I'm stuck with this long password 

[dexman]

The default administrative password for the DSL router at the church is different than "password".

[dexman]