Forgotten Your MikroTik Winbox Password? Here’s How to Recover It — or Start Fresh the Right Way

Losing access to your MikroTik router can feel like losing the key to your digital home. The network stops responding, your settings are out of reach, and every second feels heavier as you realize — you no longer remember the password.

It happens to many of us. Maybe you set it months ago, maybe a colleague configured it, or maybe the password was written on a sticky note that’s now long gone. Whatever the reason, you still have a way forward.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through two real options you can take if you’ve forgotten your MikroTik Winbox password and don’t have a backup configuration file. One involves trying to recover it from your computer, and the other, though more drastic, lets you start again with a clean configuration.

But before we dive in, remember: in moments like these, staying calm and taking one careful step at a time makes all the difference.

Option 1: Try Recovering Your Password from the Winbox Cache

If you’ve used Winbox before on your computer, and you happened to check the “Keep Password” option when logging in, there’s a good chance your password still lives quietly inside your PC — hidden, but not gone.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Go to the Winbox data folder on the computer that was last used to log in:

   C:\Users\<Your_Username>\AppData\Roaming\Mikrotik\Winbox\


2. Look for a file named settings.cfg.

3. Open it using Notepad or any basic text editor.

The file might look messy — full of strange lines and numbers — but don’t let that scare you. Use the search function (Ctrl + F) and look for “pwd” or “password”. Sometimes, the saved password appears next to it in plain text.

If you find it, congratulations! You’ve just unlocked your MikroTik device again. Go ahead, log in, and breathe easy.

However, if nothing useful shows up, don’t lose hope just yet. There’s still another path forward.

And if all this feels a bit too technical or risky, remember that professional MikroTik configuration services can assist you safely — without damaging your current setup. Sometimes, letting the experts handle it means less downtime and fewer headaches.

Option 2: Perform a Factory Reset (When All Else Fails)

If recovery isn’t possible, your only official route back into your MikroTik is a factory reset. Yes, this means you’ll lose all your current settings, but it also means you’ll regain full control of your device — fresh, clean, and ready to rebuild.

Here’s how to perform a hardware reset safely:

1. Disconnect the power cord from your MikroTik device.

2. Find the small, recessed reset button — you’ll likely need a paperclip or pin.

3. Press and hold that button.

4. While still holding it, plug the power cord back in.

5. Keep holding until the user LED light starts flashing (around 5 seconds after power-up).

6. Release the button and let the device reboot.

Once it restarts, your MikroTik router will return to its factory default settings.

• Default username: admin

• Default password: (blank on older models, or printed on a sticker for newer ones)

Now you can log in again using Winbox or your browser and begin configuring your network from scratch.

But before you do, here’s an important truth: this is the perfect moment to set up your network the right way — safely, securely, and efficiently.

Why You Should Seek Help Setting It Up Again

Sometimes, resetting is not the hard part — rebuilding is. Setting up your firewall rules, bandwidth management, VPN access, and secure admin login can take time and technical knowledge.

If you want to avoid future lockouts or complex issues, consider using professional MikroTik configuration or maintenance services.

These services don’t just help you log in again — they help you:

• Set strong and retrievable credentials.

• Configure automatic backups of your router settings.

• Optimize performance for better stability and speed.

• Protect your network from unauthorized access.

It’s like building your house again — this time, with stronger walls and better locks.

A Final Note: Prevention Is Always Easier Than Recovery

MikroTik doesn’t provide any official password recovery tools that can restore your password without physical access or a valid backup file. So, after you regain control of your router, make sure you:

• Save your configuration file in a safe location.

• Enable cloud backups or schedule local backups.

• Use a password manager to keep your credentials secure.

In the end, technology is like life — mistakes happen, but what matters most is what you do next. You can either see this as a setback, or as a reminder to secure your systems smarter than before.

So if you’ve lost your MikroTik Winbox password, take a deep breath, follow these steps, and — if needed — reach out for professional help. Sometimes, a fresh start is the best kind of recovery.