Where to look for your internet password

Your internet password is stored in one of three places: your router's admin panel, your internet service provider's account page, or your web browser's saved passwords. The fastest route depends on what you remember and what device you're using right now.

If you set up your own router and remember the admin password, the router itself holds your WiFi password. If you don't remember the admin password, your ISP's website is usually faster than resetting the router. If you've logged into WiFi on a phone or computer before, that device may have saved the password and can show it to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi password lives on your router, your ISP's website, or your device's saved networks — check whichever you have easiest access to first.
  • Resetting your router to factory settings will erase your WiFi password and force you to set a new one, which takes 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Your ISP can look up your WiFi password if you log into your account online or call their customer service line.
  • Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all have built-in ways to view a saved WiFi password without resetting anything.

Check your router's admin panel

If you remember the password to log into your router (the admin password), you can see your WiFi password by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address. The most common address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Log in with the username and password you set up when you first installed the router.

Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Wireless," "WiFi," "Network," or "Security." The WiFi password (also called the passphrase or pre-shared key) will be listed there. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the page.

If you don't remember the admin password, this route is closed to you unless you reset the router, which erases all your settings. Most people find it faster to check their device's saved passwords or contact their ISP instead.

View the password saved on your device

On Windows: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks. Click the network name you want, then click "Manage." Scroll down to "Passcode" and check the box next to "Show." The password appears in plain text.

On Mac: Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight). Search for your network name in the search box. Double-click the network name, check the box next to "Show password," and enter your Mac login password when prompted.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the info icon next to your network name, and the password appears under "Password." You may need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID first.

On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Saved Networks, tap your network name, and tap "Share." Authenticate with your fingerprint or PIN. A QR code appears with your password displayed below it.

Log into your ISP's account page

Your internet service provider keeps a record of your WiFi password and can show it to you online. Go to your ISP's website (Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, Charter, or whoever provides your internet) and log into your account using your customer number or email address.

Look for a section called "My WiFi," "Network," "Internet," or "Devices." Most ISPs display your network name and password on this page. If you can't find it, the ISP's help section usually has a guide specific to your router model.

This method works even if you don't remember your admin password, and it's often the fastest way if you're already logged into your ISP account for other reasons.

Reset your router to factory settings

If you can't access your device's saved passwords and you don't want to contact your ISP, you can reset the router to its original state. This erases your WiFi password and all other settings, so you'll need to set everything up again from scratch.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pen to press it). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. When it comes back online, the network name and password will be the factory defaults, which are usually printed on a sticker on the router itself or in the manual.

After you log in with the default credentials, you can set a new network name and password. This process takes 10 to 15 minutes total. Only do this if the other methods aren't available to you, because it's the most time-consuming option.

Call your ISP's customer service

If you don't want to log into your account online, you can call your ISP directly and ask them to tell you your WiFi password over the phone. Have your account number or phone number ready. Customer service can usually look this up in under a minute.

This is slower than checking online, but it's useful if you're having trouble logging into your ISP's website or if you don't have access to a computer or phone right now. The phone number is usually on your bill or on the ISP's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between my WiFi password and my admin password?

Your WiFi password is what guests use to connect to your network. Your admin password is what you use to log into the router itself to change settings. They're separate, and you can change one without changing the other. Most people only need the WiFi password.

Will resetting my router delete my internet connection?

No. Resetting the router erases your WiFi settings and password, but your internet connection from your ISP remains active. After you reset, you'll need to set up the WiFi again before devices can connect wirelessly.

Can I change my WiFi password without knowing the old one?

Yes. Log into your router's admin panel or your ISP's account page and set a new password. You don't need to know the old one. If you can't access either of those, you can reset the router to factory settings and create a new password during setup.

Is my WiFi password the same as my internet password?

No. Your internet password is what you use to log into your ISP's account online. Your WiFi password is what devices use to connect to your network. They're completely separate and have nothing to do with each other.

What if I see my password but it looks like random characters?

That's normal. WiFi passwords are often long strings of random letters, numbers, and symbols for security. Write down or copy exactly what you see, including uppercase and lowercase letters, because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.