192.168.178.1

192.168.178.1 Router Admin Login

Default gateway for Fritz!Box routers popular in Germany and Europe.

192.168.178.1 is the default IP address for every Fritz!Box router made by AVM, a Berlin-based company with over 60 percent market share in Germany. ISPs including Deutsche Telekom, 1&1, and Vodafone Germany distribute these devices to broadband subscribers. The admin panel, also reachable through fritz.box, manages internet, Wi-Fi, DECT telephony, smart home controls, and NAS functionality. AVM chose the unusual 192.168.178.0/24 subnet to avoid conflicts with other routers and VPN tunnels.

How to Login to 192.168.178.1

Connect to the Fritz!Box network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The default Wi-Fi name and password are printed on the bottom label of the device.

Open a browser and type 192.168.178.1 or fritz.box in the address bar. The login page displays a single password field with no username. Enter the device-specific password from the bottom label.

The interface loads in the language matching the regional firmware. German-market units default to German. The language can be changed under System > Region and Language.

After login, the overview dashboard shows connection status, Wi-Fi client count, DECT phone registrations, and recent calls. ISP-branded units (Telekom or 1&1 logos) may restrict access to internet connection settings while leaving all other options accessible.

Default Credentials

Fritz!Box uses per-device passwords. There is no universal factory default. Here are the credential formats across common models:

DeviceUsernamePassword
Fritz!Box 7590(none)(on device label)
Fritz!Box 7590 AX(none)(on device label)
Fritz!Box 7530(none)(on device label)
Fritz!Box 7490(none)(on device label)
Fritz!Box 6690 Cable(none)(on device label)
Fritz!Box 5590 Fiber(none)(on device label)
Fritz!Box 4060 (mesh)(none)(on device label)

Every Fritz!Box ships with a unique alphanumeric password printed on a sticker on the bottom of the device. This password is also on a card included in the box. AVM has never used shared defaults like admin/admin. This per-device approach is significantly more secure than the industry norm.

If you lost the label and the card, factory reset the Fritz!Box. Press and hold the reset button for 15 seconds. After reboot, the setup wizard displays a new password. Record it immediately.

Routers Using This IP

AVM manufactures the entire Fritz!Box line in-house. The product range covers every broadband technology:

The 7500 series for DSL: Fritz!Box 7590 AX (flagship VDSL), Fritz!Box 7530, Fritz!Box 7490. These include built-in DSL modems.

The 6000 series for cable: Fritz!Box 6690 Cable (DOCSIS 3.1 with Wi-Fi 6). Connects directly to the cable outlet.

The 5000 series for fibre: Fritz!Box 5590 Fiber (GPON/AON with Wi-Fi 6). The 4000 series for mesh: Fritz!Box 4060 (tri-band mesh node, no built-in modem).

Fritz!Box also functions as a DECT base station. Users commonly pair Fritz!DECT cordless phones with their router for call routing, voicemail, and phone books.

Troubleshooting

  1. fritz.box does not resolve. If your device uses a custom DNS server (such as 8.8.8.8), the fritz.box domain will not resolve because it relies on the Fritz!Box handling DNS locally. Use the numeric IP address 192.168.178.1 instead, or switch your device to obtain DNS automatically.

  2. Password on label does not work. Someone changed the password previously. If there is no way to recover it, factory reset the Fritz!Box by holding the reset button for 15 seconds. The device reboots and the setup wizard generates a new password. ISP connection settings on Telekom and 1&1 units are usually re-provisioned automatically.

  3. Admin panel loads but shows “Fritz!Box is being set up.” The device is in setup mode, usually after a firmware update or reset. Wait 5 minutes for the process to complete. Do not unplug the device during this phase, as interrupted updates can brick the firmware.

  4. Cannot access broadband settings on ISP-supplied unit. Deutsche Telekom and 1&1 lock the DSL/fibre connection page on branded firmware. You can still manage Wi-Fi, telephony, DECT, and all other settings. To unlock full access, flash the retail AVM firmware from avm.de (this may void ISP support).

  5. DECT phones not registering. In the admin panel, go to Telephony > DECT and press “Search for DECT handset.” Within 2 minutes, put the handset into registration mode (usually by holding the paging button on the handset base). Enter the PIN shown on the Fritz!Box page. The default DECT PIN is 0000.

This IP vs Other Gateways

192.168.178.1 is among the most distinctive gateway addresses. While 192.168.1.1 is generic across dozens of brands, 192.168.178.1 means Fritz!Box without exception. AVM owns this subnet completely in the consumer space.

The .178.x range was a forward-thinking choice. When VPN adoption surged, many users discovered that their home network at 192.168.1.0/24 overlapped with their office VPN. Fritz!Box users never had this problem. The unusual subnet sits well outside typical VPN ranges, making Fritz!Box one of the most VPN-friendly routers available.

The admin panel offers broader functionality than typical consumer gateways. Routers at 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1 manage Wi-Fi and basic networking. Fritz!Box adds telephony, smart home controls, NAS, and a media server. AVM treats the router as a home communications hub, not just a WAN-to-LAN bridge. In Austria and Switzerland, many subscribers replace ISP equipment with a Fritz!Box to get these features.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 192.168.178.1?

192.168.178.1 is the default gateway for all AVM Fritz!Box routers. It opens the Fritz!Box admin panel where you can manage internet, Wi-Fi, telephony, DECT phones, smart home devices, and network settings. You can also access it by typing fritz.box in your browser.

What is the default password for Fritz!Box?

Every Fritz!Box ships with a unique password printed on the bottom label of the device. There is no shared factory default like admin/admin. If you lost the label, you need to factory reset the device to generate a new password shown during the setup wizard.

Why does Fritz!Box use 192.168.178.1?

AVM chose the 192.168.178.0/24 subnet to avoid conflicts with other routers. Since Fritz!Box is often used behind an ISP modem or alongside VPN connections that use common subnets, the unusual .178.x range prevents IP collisions that would break networking.

Can I use fritz.box instead of typing the IP address?

Yes. Fritz!Box routers intercept DNS queries for fritz.box and redirect them to the admin panel at 192.168.178.1. This works from any device connected to the Fritz!Box network. If fritz.box does not resolve, use the numeric IP address directly.

Which ISPs distribute Fritz!Box routers?

Deutsche Telekom, 1&1, Vodafone Germany, A1 Telekom Austria, and Swisscom all distribute Fritz!Box routers to subscribers. ISP-supplied units may have custom firmware that restricts certain features, such as changing the DSL/fibre connection settings.

Does Fritz!Box support DECT phones at 192.168.178.1?

Yes. Fritz!Box routers include a built-in DECT base station. You can register and manage DECT cordless phones through the admin panel at Telephony > DECT. Fritz!Box supports up to 6 DECT handsets and acts as a full PBX with answering machine, call routing, and phone book features.