Change your WiFi name and password through your router's settings page

Your router stores the WiFi name (called the SSID) and password in its own settings, separate from your internet service. To change either one, you log into your router's admin page using a web browser on any device connected to that WiFi. The steps are nearly identical whether your router is from your internet provider or one you bought yourself.

You will need two things: the router's IP address (usually printed on a sticker on the router itself) and the admin password (also on that sticker, or the default if you have never changed it). Once you are logged in, you can change the WiFi name to anything you want and set a new password. The changes take effect immediately, and all devices will disconnect and need the new password to reconnect.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your router's IP address and default admin password on the sticker attached to the router itself.
  • Open a web browser, type the IP address into the address bar, and log in with the admin password to reach your router's settings.
  • Look for a section labeled WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network Name to find where to change the SSID and password.
  • After you save changes, all devices will disconnect and must reconnect using the new WiFi name and password.
  • If you cannot find the sticker or do not remember the admin password, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Locating your router's IP address and admin password

Every router has a physical sticker on the bottom or back that lists the IP address, default username, and default password. The IP address usually looks like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Write these down before you start, because you will need them to log in.

If the sticker is missing or worn away, try one of the two most common defaults: type 192.168.1.1 into your browser's address bar, or try 192.168.0.1. If neither works, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for all lights to stabilize. Then try again. If you still cannot reach the login page, your router may have been reset to factory settings at some point, and you will need to reset it again (see the section below on factory reset).

Logging into your router's settings page

Open any web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — on a device that is currently connected to your WiFi. In the address bar at the top, type the IP address exactly as it appears on the sticker. Do not type it into a search box; type it into the address bar where you normally see website URLs.

Press Enter. A login page should appear asking for a username and password. The username is often "admin" and the password is the one on the sticker. Enter both and click Log In. If the login fails, double-check that you typed the password exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive, and spaces or special characters matter.

Once you are logged in, you will see a dashboard with many options. Look for a section labeled WiFi Settings, Wireless Settings, Network Name, or SSID. The exact wording depends on your router's manufacturer, but it will be somewhere in the main menu or under an Advanced tab.

Changing the WiFi name (SSID)

In the WiFi Settings section, you will see a field labeled SSID, Network Name, or WiFi Name. This is the name that appears when you look for available networks on your phone or laptop. Click in that field and replace the current name with whatever you want to call your network.

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most special characters. Avoid very long names (keep it under 32 characters) and do not use only numbers, as some older devices have trouble connecting to those. A good WiFi name is something you will recognize and that tells you what network it is — for example, "Smith_Home" or "Apartment_3B" — rather than the router's default name like "NETGEAR-5G" or "TP-Link".

Changing the WiFi password

Look for a field labeled WiFi Password, Network Password, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. Click in that field and enter your new password. Most routers require passwords to be at least 8 characters long, and many require a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters like ! or @.

Write down your new password somewhere safe before you save, because you will need it to reconnect all your devices. If you forget it, you can always log back into the router settings and change it again. Do not use a password you use for email, banking, or other important accounts — WiFi passwords are less secure than those, and you may need to share it with guests.

Saving changes and reconnecting your devices

After you have entered the new WiFi name and password, look for a button labeled Save, Apply, or OK. Click it. The router will process the change, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. During this time, you may be disconnected from WiFi.

Once the change is complete, your old WiFi network will no longer appear in the list of available networks. Instead, you will see the new name you just created. On each device — phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, printer — you will need to forget the old network and connect to the new one using the new password. To forget a network on most phones, go to WiFi Settings, find the old network name, and tap "Forget" or "Remove". Then search for the new network name and enter the new password to reconnect.

What to do if you cannot log into your router

If you cannot reach the login page or the password on the sticker does not work, your router may have been reset to factory defaults by a previous owner or after a power outage. The fastest way to fix this is to perform a factory reset yourself.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a straightened paperclip or a pen tip to press and hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it is fully restarted (all lights stable), the router will be back to its factory defaults, and you can log in using the username and password printed on the sticker. After you log in, change the admin password to something only you know, then change the WiFi name and password as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my router after changing the WiFi name and password?

No, the changes take effect immediately after you click Save or Apply. Your router will disconnect all devices automatically, and they will need to reconnect using the new credentials. You do not need to unplug or restart the router.

What if I change the WiFi password and then forget it?

Log back into your router's settings page using the IP address and admin password, find the WiFi password field, and change it to something you will remember. You do not need to reset the entire router. Write the new password down in a safe place this time.

Can I change the WiFi name without changing the password?

Yes. In the WiFi Settings section, change only the SSID field and leave the password field blank or unchanged. Save the changes. Your devices will see the new network name but will use the same password to connect.

Why do some of my devices still show the old WiFi name after I change it?

Your devices are showing a cached list of networks they have seen before. Forget the old network on each device and search for the new name. The old network will not appear once you have forgotten it and the router has fully processed the change.

What is the difference between the admin password and the WiFi password?

The admin password protects access to your router's settings — only you should know it. The WiFi password is what guests and your devices use to connect to the internet. They are separate, and you should change both to something secure that only you know.