Where to change your WiFi password

Your WiFi password lives in your router's settings, not in your computer or phone. You reach it by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar. Your router's manual or a sticker on the back of the device will show the exact address if neither of those works.

Once you type that address, you'll see a login screen asking for a username and password. This is different from your WiFi password — it's the password to access the router itself. The default is often "admin" for both username and password, though some routers use "admin" and "password", or print both on a sticker. After you log in, look for a section called "Wireless", "WiFi", "Security", or "Network Settings" depending on your router brand.

If you've forgotten the router login password and can't find the sticker, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding a small reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so use it only as a last resort.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your router settings by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser, then log in with the default username and password printed on the router.
  • Look for "Wireless", "WiFi", or "Security" settings to find where your current WiFi password is stored and where you can create a new one.
  • Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder to guess.
  • After you save the new password, all your devices will disconnect and you'll need to reconnect them using the new password.
  • If you forget the router login password, you can reset the router to factory settings, but this will erase all your custom settings.

What password type to choose

When you change your WiFi password, the router will ask you to pick a security type. Choose WPA3 if your router offers it — it's the newest and most secure. If WPA3 isn't available, choose WPA2. Avoid WEP or WPA without a number, as both are outdated and easier to crack.

The password itself should be at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password like "BlueSky#2024Home" is stronger than "password123" because it uses different character types and doesn't follow a predictable pattern.

Steps to change the password in your router

After you log into your router and find the WiFi or Wireless settings, you'll see a field with your current password. It's usually hidden as dots or asterisks. Click the field and replace it with your new password, then look for a button that says "Save", "Apply", or "OK".

Some routers show the password in plain text; others hide it. If you want to see what you're typing to catch typos, look for a checkbox that says "Show password" or an eye icon next to the field. After you save, the router will restart — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During that time, your internet will drop.

Once the router restarts, all your devices will lose their connection to the WiFi network. You'll need to reconnect each one by selecting the network name, choosing "Connect", and typing the new password. Phones, tablets, and computers will ask you to do this; smart home devices like speakers or cameras may need you to remove them from their app and add them again.

Reconnecting your devices after the change

Start with the devices you use most — your phone or laptop — so you can use them to help reconnect the others. Go to your WiFi settings, select your network name, and enter the new password. If a device says "Incorrect password" even though you typed it correctly, double-check that you didn't accidentally use a capital letter where you meant lowercase, or vice versa. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.

For devices that don't have a keyboard — like smart speakers, security cameras, or smart TVs — you'll usually open their app on your phone, find a "Reconnect WiFi" or "Change Network" option, and follow the prompts. Some devices ask you to hold a button while they search for networks; others let you type the password directly in the app. Check the device manual if you're unsure.

If a device won't reconnect after several tries, restart it by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. This often clears connection errors that prevent it from accepting the new password.

If you need to find your password later

You can see your current WiFi password by logging back into the router settings and navigating to the same WiFi or Wireless section. The password will be displayed there, though it may be hidden by default — look for a "Show" option to reveal it.

On Windows, you can also see a saved WiFi password without logging into the router. Right-click the WiFi icon in the system tray, select "Open Network & Internet Settings", click "WiFi", then "Manage known networks", select your network, and click "Properties". Scroll down to "Security type" and toggle "Show" next to the password field.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Network, select WiFi, click "Advanced", find your network in the list, and click "Edit". The password field will show dots, but you can check a box to reveal it — you may need to enter your Mac login password first.

Troubleshooting a failed password change

If you save a new password but devices still connect using the old one, the router may not have restarted properly. Try logging back into the router settings and checking whether your new password is actually saved. If it shows your old password, the change didn't take — try saving it again and wait for the restart to complete.

If the router settings page won't load at all, make sure you're connected to the WiFi network and try a different web browser. Some older routers work better in Internet Explorer or Firefox than in Chrome. If you still can't reach the settings page, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If you changed the password but now can't remember it and can't log back into the router to see it, your only option is to reset the router to factory defaults. This erases the new password and returns everything to the default settings, so you'll need to set up the WiFi again from scratch.

Changing your password regularly

There's no hard rule about how often to change your WiFi password, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable if you live in an apartment or area with many nearby networks. If you've shared the password with guests or former household members, change it sooner to prevent unwanted access.

If you suspect someone is using your WiFi without permission — for example, your internet is unusually slow or you see unfamiliar device names in the router's connected devices list — change the password immediately. After you do, check your router's settings for a list of connected devices to see if the unwanted user disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect me from the internet?

Yes, temporarily. When you save the new password, the router restarts and all devices disconnect. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. After the router restarts, you'll need to reconnect each device using the new password.

What if I change the password and forget it immediately?

Log back into your router settings using the same IP address and login credentials, then look at the WiFi or Wireless section — your password will be displayed there. If you can't remember the router login password either, reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

You can if your phone's web browser can reach the router settings page. Type 192.168.1.1 into the browser, log in, and navigate to the WiFi settings the same way you would on a computer. Some router manufacturers also offer apps that let you change the password directly without typing the IP address.

Why does my device say the password is wrong when I know it's correct?

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Check that you're using the correct uppercase and lowercase letters. If you're still stuck, try typing the password into a text editor first to see exactly what you're typing, then copy and paste it into the WiFi field.

Do I need to change my password if I live alone?

Not unless you suspect someone is using your network without permission or you want to update to a stronger password. If you haven't changed it since you set up the router, updating to a longer, more complex password is a good idea.