Having a WiFi router simplifies our entire access to the Internet. By using its specific antennas, the router allows us to connect multiple devices to one WiFi connection. Moreover, when we use the Internet, our browser and router detect our activity.
However, everyone has the right to keep their online search private. That’s why many people wonder how to view router history. Read our article and learn how you can do that fast and straightforwardly. Thus, let’s get started!
How to View Router History
The short answer to this common question is that you must log into your router and check the History settings. For that matter, you must open your web browser. Before you proceed, you must know your router IP address, username, and password.
If you don’t know your router IP address, open the Settings section on your smart device. Next, tap on WiFi connections. Your WiFi connection should be first on the list. As you click on it, you will see information such as Network speed, Security, and IP address.
Now copy and paste those digits of the IP address into the web browser’s search bar. Afterward, click on the Advanced section. This section can be labeled as Device History or Logs in different routers.
After that, tap on the System section. In addition, this section can also be found as System Logs or History, depending on your router’s model. So, if you encounter any of these names, don’t get confused because they all refer to the same thing.
Furthermore, as you open the System Log, browse your router’s history by scrolling down. So, checking your router history is simpler than you might have thought. Now, let’s see some potential problems that might arise.
Read more: How Often Should You Reset Your Router
Problems accessing your WiFi router
In some cases, logging into your router may fail. Usually, if that happens, you will receive an error message on your screen. This may mean that you have entered an incorrect username or password. In addition, your router might not be properly connected to your smart device.
To quickly solve this problem, try restarting your router. To reboot it efficiently, unplug the router and the modem. Next, wait at least 30 seconds, then plug them back in. Also, you must wait at least two minutes before using the router again.
If, after restarting it, you still can’t access your router, then you should disable any firewall. To do that, open the Control Panel on your Windows. Secondly, click on Security and Systems. Next, tap on Windows Firewall. Moreover, tap on the Off button.
Lastly, if none of this works, you must reset your router to factory defaults. For that matter, press and hold the Reset button for 30 seconds. In the meantime, unplug your router. To log in back, use the default IP address, username, and password.
What Does Router History Show?
Router history is not the same as your smartphone or computer history. Therefore, when viewing the history of your router, you will only be able to see IP addresses. However, you must know that the WiFi network owner or administrator can see your online activity.
So, if the WiFi network owner enters your router history, they can see the terms you have browsed on the Internet. Secondly, they will have an insight into the websites you have visited and their URLs.
Furthermore, network owners or anyone with admin access can also see how much time you have spent on the visited websites. Moreover, they can check the exact time you connect to your WiFi.
Equally important to know that the type of information displayed in the router History section depends on the router model itself. Therefore, only some routers will show this kind of information.
Read more: What Is a Hidden network?
How to Delete History on Your WiFi Router
First, you must log into the router itself to delete your router history. All you have to do is follow the logging instructions we mentioned at the beginning of our article. Next, when you check your router history, you will also see a Clear WiFi history option.
In addition, this option offers a Clear All or Delete All button. Moreover, as you tap on that button, you will be offered a second button to click on. It is usually labeled as Yes or Agree. After you tap on it, all your logs will be deleted.
You can also delete your router history by resetting the router. To reset your router, you must click on the Reset button. This button is located on the back of the router. Quickly press and then release it.
Resetting the router means wiping out all your customization settings. Simply put, your username and password will be reset to factory settings. To connect to WiFi after resetting it, press and hold the Reset button until the router’s lights begin to flash.
Delete your browsing history
Open the Google Chrome app on your smartphone or computer to delete your browsing history. Next, click on the three vertical dots on the top right side; tap on the History section. Lastly, click on the Clear Browsing Data button.
Read more: How to Control Devices Connected to Your WiFi
Conclusion
This is the very end. So, now that you know how to view router history, it looks like a pretty simple process, right? All you have to do is to use your browser to log into the router itself. To successfully log into it, you must know your IP address, username, and password.
To check your IP address, open the Settings section on your smart device. There you should tap on the WiFi connection and discover the needed information. Besides viewing your router history, you can also delete it and keep your online activity private.