Use the access control feature to block devices from connecting to your router’s or Orbi's Internet connection.
You can use the network access control list (ACL) on the router or Orbi to block or allow access to your network and the Internet. The ACL identifies a WiFi or wired device by its MAC address. The router or Orbi detects the MAC addresses of the devices on the network and either allows or denies access. The router or Orbi detects and stores the MAC addresses of devices that connect to the network, so it lists the MAC addresses both of devices that are currently connected and any that were previously connected.
If you set up a network ACL that allows all new devices to connect, the following applies:
- You can either select or manually enter devices that you want to block from connecting to the network.
- All other devices are allowed access to the network.
If you set up a network ACL that blocks all new devices from connecting, the following applies:
- You can either select or manually enter devices that you want to allow access to the network.
- Devices that are currently connected to the network or that were allowed to connect in the past are automatically placed on the network ACL as allowed devices.
- All other devices are denied access to the network.
To set up access control:
- Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your router’s or Orbi's network.
- Enter one of the following:
- For a router: https://www.routerlogin.net or https://www.routerlogin.com
- For an Orbi: orbilogin.com, or for some recent models (2025 and later), orbilogin.local
- Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin and the default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home page displays. - Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control.
- Select the Turn on Access Control check box.
You must select this check box before you can specify an access rule and use the Allow and Block buttons. When this check box is cleared, all devices are allowed to connect, even if a device is in the blocked list. - To specify an access rule, select one of the following radio buttons:
- Allow all new devices to connect: With this setting, a new device can access your network. You don't need to enter its MAC address in this screen. NETGEAR recommends that you leave this radio button selected.
- Block all new devices from connecting: With this setting, a new device cannot access your router’s or Orbi's Internet connection, but can still access your router’s or Orbi's local network. Before a device accesses your router’s or Orbi's Internet connection, you must enter its MAC address for an Ethernet connection and its MAC address for a WiFi connection in the allowed list.
The access rule does not affect previously blocked or allowed devices. It applies only to devices joining your network in the future after you apply these settings.
- To view allowed or blocked devices that are not connected, click one of the following links:
- View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network
- View list of blocked devices not currently connected to the network
The list displays.
- To allow the computer or device you’re currently using to continue to access your network, select the check box next to your computer or device, and click the Allow button.
- Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.