The basic steps to join a WiFi network

Connecting to wireless internet means telling your device to find and remember a specific network, then sending the password that proves you have permission to use it. On most devices, this takes under a minute once you know where to look.

The process is nearly identical across phones, tablets, and computers: open your network settings, find the network name (called the SSID) you want to join, select it, enter the password, and wait for the "connected" confirmation. The device then remembers that network and reconnects automatically the next time it comes in range.

Key Takeaways

  • Every wireless network has a name (SSID) and a password; you need both to connect.
  • On phones and tablets, go to Settings and look for WiFi or Wireless; on computers, click the network icon in your system tray or menu bar.
  • If you do not see your network name in the list, move closer to the router or restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
  • If the password does not work, check that Caps Lock is off and that you are typing the exact password your router shows, not a username.
  • Once connected, your device will rejoin that network automatically whenever it is in range, unless you manually forget the network.

Finding your network name and password

Before you can connect, you need two pieces of information: the network name and the network password. The network name is printed on a sticker on your router — usually a box with antennas that plugs into your wall. Look for a label that says "SSID" or "Network Name"; the password is usually labeled "WiFi Password", "Passphrase", or "Security Key".

If you cannot find the sticker, log into your router's settings page. On most home routers, you open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, then log in with the username and password printed on the router (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number). Once inside, look for a WiFi or Wireless section to find your network name and password.

If you are connecting to someone else's network, ask them for the password directly. Do not try to guess it or use a password-recovery tool — that will not work on networks you do not own.

Connecting on a phone or tablet

On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap WiFi, and turn it on if it is off. Your phone will show a list of nearby networks. Find the one you want, tap it, and a box will appear asking for the password. Type the password exactly as it appears on your router — uppercase and lowercase letters matter — then tap Join. Your phone will show a checkmark next to the network name once it connects.

On an Android phone, open Settings, tap Network & Internet or Connections, then WiFi. Turn WiFi on if it is off, and you will see a list of networks. Tap the network you want, enter the password, and tap Connect. Android will show "Connected" below the network name when you are in.

On an iPad or Android tablet, the steps are the same as the phone version for that device. Once you connect once, the device will remember that network and join it automatically whenever it is in range, unless you manually forget it.

Connecting on a Windows or Mac computer

On Windows 10 or 11, click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (it looks like a WiFi symbol or a series of dots). A panel will open showing nearby networks. Click the network you want, then click Connect. A box will appear asking for the password. Type it in and click Next. Windows will show "Connected" once you are in.

On a Mac, click the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your screen (it looks like a fan or curved lines). A dropdown menu will show nearby networks. Click the network you want, and a box will ask for the password. Type it in and click Join. The WiFi icon will fill in once you are connected.

Like phones and tablets, computers remember networks you have connected to before and will rejoin them automatically. If you want to stop a computer from connecting to a particular network, you can "forget" it by going back into network settings, finding that network, and selecting the forget or remove option.

What to do if your network does not appear in the list

If you do not see your network name when you look for available networks, the most common reason is that your device is too far from the router. Move closer to the router — within 30 feet in most homes — and check again. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can block the signal, so try moving to a different room or closer to a window if the router is near one.

If you are still not seeing it, restart your router by unplugging it from power for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart, then search for networks again on your device.

If the network still does not appear, check whether your router has a physical WiFi button or switch. Some routers have a button on the back or side that turns the wireless radio on and off. Press it if you see one, wait 10 seconds, and search again.

As a last resort, you can manually enter the network name if you know it. On most devices, there is an option to "add network manually" or "other network" at the bottom of the network list. Select that, type in the exact network name, choose the security type (usually WPA2 or WPA3), and enter the password.

Troubleshooting when the password does not work

The most common reason a password fails is a typing mistake. Check that Caps Lock is off — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different. Type the password slowly and carefully, character by character. If your router password contains special characters like !, @, or #, make sure you are typing those exactly.

If you are sure you typed it correctly, the password on your device may not match the one on the router. This can happen if someone changed the WiFi password after you last connected. Ask the network owner for the current password, or check the router sticker again to make sure you are reading it right.

On your device, try "forgetting" the network and connecting again from scratch. On a phone, go to your WiFi settings, find the network, and tap "Forget" or "Remove". On a computer, do the same in your network settings. Then search for the network again and connect with the correct password.

Why your device keeps disconnecting

If your device connects but then drops the connection after a few minutes or hours, the problem is usually not with your password but with the connection itself. Move closer to the router and try again — a weak signal often causes disconnections. If you are far from the router, consider moving it to a more central location or buying a WiFi extender to boost the signal in distant rooms.

Restarting your router can also fix disconnection problems. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart before reconnecting your device. If disconnections continue, restart your device as well — sometimes a device's WiFi radio needs to be reset.

If only one device keeps disconnecting while others stay connected, the problem may be with that specific device's WiFi hardware or drivers. Try forgetting the network and reconnecting. If that does not work, restart the device and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect to WiFi without knowing the password?

No. Every wireless network is protected by a password to prevent unauthorized use. If you do not know the password, ask the network owner. If it is your own network and you forgot the password, you can reset your router to factory settings, but this will erase all your settings and you will have to set it up again from scratch.

Why does my device show the network but say "cannot connect"?

This usually means the password is wrong, even if you think you typed it correctly. Double-check that Caps Lock is off and that you are not confusing the WiFi password with a username or other code printed on the router. If you are still stuck, forget the network and try connecting again, typing the password very slowly.

Do I have to enter the password every time I connect?

No. Once you connect successfully, your device remembers that network and the password. The next time you are in range, your device will reconnect automatically without asking for the password again. If you want to stop connecting to a network, you can manually forget it in your settings.

What if I see two networks with similar names?

Many routers broadcast two networks at once: one on the 2.4 GHz band and one on the 5 GHz band. They usually have the same name with "5G" or "5GHz" added to one of them. The 5 GHz network is faster but has shorter range; the 2.4 GHz network is slower but reaches farther. Choose whichever one gives you the best signal where you are sitting.

Can I connect to WiFi on a device that does not have WiFi built in?

Most modern phones, tablets, and computers have WiFi built in. If your device does not, you would need a USB WiFi adapter, which plugs into your device and adds wireless capability. These are inexpensive but not common anymore since nearly all devices come with WiFi included.