MikroTik default login, IP address and Winbox
Last updated: 2 October 2026
A new or reset MikroTik has a standard address and login. This page gives them, shows how to connect with Winbox even when the address is unknown, and lists what to try when login fails.
The defaults
| Value | |
|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.88.1 |
| Username | admin |
| Password | empty on older devices; on newer devices it is printed on the sticker on the router |
| Which port | any port except the first (ether1 is the internet port on most models) |
Connect with Winbox
- Download Winbox from mikrotik.com (Software → Winbox).
- Plug your computer into ether2 or later.
- Open Winbox and click the Neighbors tab. Your router appears in the list.
- Click its MAC address to connect even if the IP address is wrong or missing, enter the login and press Connect.
Other ways in
- WebFig: open
http://192.168.88.1in a browser. - The MikroTik phone app over Wi-Fi.
- SSH:
ssh admin@192.168.88.1.
Cannot log in
- The router is not in Neighbors: you are plugged into ether1, or a firewall on your computer blocks Winbox discovery. Try another port and allow Winbox through the firewall.
- "wrong username or password": check the sticker under the router. If the password was changed and lost, it cannot be recovered; the router must be reset.
- The address 192.168.88.1 does not open: the configuration was changed. Connect by MAC address in Winbox.
What the default configuration does
Most home and office models start with a ready-made setup: ether1 is the internet port and asks your modem for an address, the other ports and the Wi-Fi are joined in one bridge with the address 192.168.88.1, a DHCP server gives addresses from 192.168.88.10 upwards, and a firewall blocks access from the internet side. That is why you must plug in to ether2 or later to manage it.
Finding your way in Winbox
- Safe Mode (the button at the top left): while it is on, changes are undone if you lose the connection. Turn it on before touching addresses or the firewall, and off again to keep your changes.
- New Terminal is where commands from guides are pasted.
- Quick Set changes many things at once; avoid it on a router that is already configured.
- Files holds backups and the hotspot pages; drag files in and out.
- Log shows why a login or a connection failed.
First things to do
- Set a strong password (System → Users).
- Upgrade RouterOS (how).
- Check the firewall (basic firewall).
- Save a backup (how).
Questions and answers
What is the default MikroTik password?
Older devices have no password for admin. Newer devices have a unique password printed on the sticker.
How do I find my MikroTik IP address?
Open Winbox and look at the Neighbors tab; it lists every MikroTik on your network with its address and MAC address.
Can I recover a forgotten MikroTik password?
No. The only way back in is to reset the router to its defaults, which removes the configuration.