Why You’re Searching for 172.168.0.1 Right Now
You just saw 172.168.0.1 on a sticker under your new router, in your phone’s Wi-Fi settings, or maybe in a scary-looking IP lookup tool that claims it belongs to Microsoft in Iowa. Don’t worry — 172.168.0.1 is completely normal and safe. It is simply a private IP address from the official RFC 1918 private IP range (172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255) that millions of home and office networks use every day.
This address is almost always your 172.16.0.1 default gateway — the main door to your router’s settings page.
Is 172.168.0.1 a Real Public IP? (Short Answer: No!)
Even though sites like IPinfo.io sometimes show 172.168.0.1 linked to Microsoft Corporation in Des Moines, Iowa, that information is misleading. Private addresses like 172.168.0.1 are not routable on the public Internet.
Quick proof you can check yourself:
- Live lookup → ipinfo.io/172.168.0.11
- Abuse report check → abuseipdb.com/whois/172.168.0.21
- Router guide → router-network.com/ip/172-16-0-13
These sites list it only because databases sometimes reuse private ranges as placeholders. In real life, 172.168.0.1 (and very similar addresses like 172.16.0.1) are 100 % private.
The Three Official Private IP Blocks You Should Know (2025)
| Range | Common Use | Example Default Gateway |
| 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 | Big companies & schools | 10.0.0.1 default gateway |
| 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 | Medium offices & many ISP modems | 172.16.0.1 router |
| 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 | Most home routers (Linksys, TP-Link) | 192.168.0.1 router login or 192.168.1.1 default IP |
172.168.0.1 sits inside the 172.16.0.0/12 private block — exactly the same family as the super-common 172.16.0.1 admin address.
Which Devices Actually Use 172.168.0.1 or 172.16.0.1 in 2025?
| Brand / ISP | Default Gateway Used | Typical Username/Password |
| Huawei, ZTE, Fiberhome | 172.16.0.1 login | admin / admin or telecomadmin |
| Some TP-Link & D-Link models | 172.168.0.1 | admin / admin |
| Corporate Cisco & Juniper | Any 172.16.x.x address | Varies |
| Older Netgear & Belkin | Sometimes 172.168.o.1 (letter o) typo leads here | admin / password |
Step-by-Step: How to Access 172.168.0.1 or 172.16.0.1 Right Now
- Connect to your home or office Wi-Fi (not mobile data).
- Open any browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox).
- Type exactly one of these in the address bar:
- http://172.168.0.1
- http://172.16.0.1 (Never type https unless your router forces it)
- Common login combinations to try:
- Username: admin → Password: admin
- Username: admin → Password: password
- Username: telecomadmin → Password: admin@telecom
- If nothing works, look on the bottom of your router — the correct IP and password are printed there.
Most Common Mistakes & Instant Fixes
| Problem You See | Real Cause | Fix in 30 Seconds |
| “This site can’t be reached” | You typed 172.168.o.1 (letter o) | Use zero: 172.168.0.1 |
| Page loads but login fails | Wrong password | Check sticker or try defaults above |
| Takes forever to load | You’re on mobile data or VPN | Turn off VPN and connect to your Wi-Fi |
| Shows Microsoft instead of login page | You’re looking at a public lookup site | Close that tab and type the IP directly in browser |
How to Find Your Real Default Gateway (Even If It’s Not 172.168.0.1)
Windows
Press Win + R → type cmd → type ipconfig → look for “Default Gateway”
Mac
Apple menu → System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → TCP/IP tab
iPhone/Android
Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the (i) next to your network → look for “Router” or “Gateway”
Security Tips Every 172.168.0.1 / 172.16.0.1 User Must Follow in 2025
- Change the default 172.16.0.1 password the moment you log in.
- Turn off “Remote Management” so nobody outside your house can reach 172.16.0.1 how to access the page.
- Update your router firmware — new security patches come out monthly.
- Use WPA3 encryption on your 172.16.0.1 wifi settings.
Why Some People Change Router IP Address from 192.168.x.x to 172.16.x.x
Many network admins change router IP address to the 172.16 range to:
- Avoid conflicts when connecting two networks together
- Separate guest Wi-Fi from main network
- Make it harder for automated hacking scripts (most bots only scan 192.168.x.x)
Related Private IP Guides You Might Need Next
- Seeing a totally different IP in your logs? → 185.63.263.20 – Easy Guide to This IP in Your Logs
- Confused by invalid addresses? → 264.68.111.161 – Understanding This Invalid IP Address
Frequently Asked Questions About 172.168.0.1
Conclusion – Everything You Need to Know About 172.168.0.1
172.168.0.1 (and its close cousin 172.16.0.1) is simply a safe, standard private IP address used as the 172.16.0.1 default gateway by millions of routers and modems worldwide. It belongs to the official RFC 1918 private IP range, which means it can never be reached from the outside Internet — perfect for keeping your 172.16.0.1 ISP modem login secure.
You now know exactly how to log in, what the default passwords are, why public lookup sites get confused, and how to keep your network safe in 2025 and beyond.
So, what router or modem are you trying to reach at 172.168.0.1 or 172.16.0.1? Drop the brand and model below and I’ll give you the exact login details in seconds!
References
- ipinfo.io live lookup (shows placeholder data) →ipinfo.io/172.168.0.1 ↩︎
- AbuseIPDB whois record →abuseipdb.com/whois/172.168.0.1 ↩︎
- router-network.com – 172.16.0.1 detailed login guide → router-network.com/ip/172-16-0-1 ↩︎