To find out what router you have, read the label on its back or underside. Look for the brand, model and hardware version. If the label is missing, check the router’s settings page, its official app or your internet provider’s account.
Which number on the router label is the model?
| Label detail | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Model or Model No. | The product you need to find the correct manual and support page. |
| Hardware version, revision or Ver. | The version of that model; firmware can differ between versions. |
| Serial number or S/N | An identifier for your individual device, often useful to support. |
| SSID | The Wi-Fi name. It can be changed and is not reliable proof of the model. |
| MAC address | A network-interface identifier, not the model number. |
An internet provider’s logo may be easier to see than the maker’s name. Record both. TP-Link’s model-number guide, for example, distinguishes the model from the serial number and hardware version.
Find the router model without a sticker
- Connect to your own router’s Wi-Fi or use an Ethernet cable.
- Open the administration address or official app named in the provider’s or maker’s instructions.
- Sign in with the administrator details you are allowed to use.
- Look under Status, System information or a similar section.
- Record the model, hardware version and firmware version without changing any settings.
If you cannot sign in, check the original box, manual, purchase receipt or provider equipment list. A mesh system may have several units with different labels; check the main router and any satellite separately.
Can the default gateway tell me the router model?
The gateway address helps you reach a router’s settings; it does not identify the brand by itself. Many different routers use addresses such as 192.168.1.1.
On Windows, open Command Prompt and run:
ipconfigRead Default Gateway for the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Microsoft‘s ipconfig reference explains this read-only command. Ignore disconnected adapters, and remember that a VPN or more complex network can show a different gateway.
Can I find the model from the serial number?
The maker or internet provider may be able to match a serial number to its records. There is no single public lookup that reliably identifies every router. Use the official support channel rather than pasting passwords or a full device label into an unknown lookup site.
What should I record before asking for help?
- Brand and exact model.
- Hardware version or revision.
- Current firmware version, if you can read it.
- Whether the device belongs to you or was supplied by your provider.
Do not factory-reset a working router just to identify it. Once you know the model, follow its own manual. If you are checking a router-connected phone fault, use the landline-not-working checklist. For DNS settings, see IPv6 DNS addresses and compatibility checks.
Updated October 14, 2026. Instructions and available features can vary by device, account and software version.