How to clear router history

Question

I’ve been advised to clear my router history periodically for privacy and security reasons. However, I’m not sure how to access the router’s settings or delete its logs. Could someone guide me through the process step by step?

Answer 1

The process of clearing your router's history varies slightly depending on your router's model and manufacturer, but I'll provide a general step-by-step guide that should work for most routers.

General Steps to Clear Router History (Logs)

1. Access Your Router’s Web Interface:

• Find Your Router’s IP Address:

  • On Windows:
    1. Open Command Prompt (Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter).
    2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
    3. Look for the "Default Gateway" address under your active network adapter (e.g., 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
  • On macOS:
    1. Open System Preferences > Network.
    2. Select your active network (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click "Advanced."
    3. Go to the "TCP/IP" tab. Your router's IP address is listed as "Router."

• Access the Web Interface:

  1. Open a web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox).
  2. Type your router’s IP address in the browser's address bar and press Enter.
  3. Log in with your admin credentials (usually printed on the underside of your router or in its documentation). If you’ve changed these and forgotten them, you might need to reset your router (see below).

2. Navigate to Logs or System Logs Section:

• Once logged in, the interface will vary, but you're looking for sections like:
  • System Logs
  • Logs
  • Logging
  • Admin Logs
  • System Monitoring > Logs
• If you can’t find it, check your router’s manual or online support resources for specific guidance.

3. Clear the Logs:

• In the Logs section, look for an option to Clear Logs, Delete Logs, Reset Logs, or Erase System Logs. The exact terminology may differ.
• Select All Logs if given the option, to ensure everything is cleared.
• Confirm your decision when prompted. Be aware that clearing logs will remove all recorded data, which could be useful for troubleshooting future issues.

4. Save Changes (If Necessary) and Log Out:

• If prompted to Save Changes after clearing the logs, do so.
• Log out of your router’s web interface for security.