Find your WiFi network and enter the password

To connect to WiFi, you need two things: the network name (called the SSID) and the password. The network name is what you see when you look for available networks on your device. The password is usually on a sticker attached to your router — the box that broadcasts the WiFi signal — or in the paperwork that came with it.

On most devices, you'll open the WiFi settings, select your network name from the list, and type in the password exactly as it appears. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you enter it wrong, your device will show a "password incorrect" message and won't connect.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a phone, tablet, laptop, or other device, so the sections below walk through each type.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi network name and password are usually on a sticker on your router or in the paperwork that came with it.
  • Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword" — type it exactly as shown.
  • Once you connect once, most devices remember the network and connect automatically the next time you're in range.
  • If your device won't connect, restart both the device and the router, then try again.
  • If you still can't connect after restarting, check that you're typing the password correctly and that the router is powered on.

Connecting on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap WiFi. You'll see a list of available networks. Find your network name and tap it. A box will appear asking for the password — type it in exactly as it appears on your router sticker, paying attention to capital letters and numbers. Tap Join.

Once you're connected, a WiFi symbol will appear in the top left corner of your screen. The next time you're near this network, your device will connect automatically without asking for the password again.

If you see "Unable to Join" after entering the password, go back and check that you typed it correctly. Common mistakes include confusing the letter O with the number 0, or the letter l with the number 1. If the password is hard to read on the sticker, ask your internet provider or router manufacturer for help — they can tell you the password over the phone.

Connecting on Android phone or tablet

Open Settings and look for WiFi or Network settings — the exact location varies by phone brand. Tap WiFi to turn it on if it's off. You'll see a list of available networks. Tap your network name, then enter the password in the box that appears. Tap Connect.

A WiFi icon will appear in the status bar at the top of your screen once you're connected. Your device will remember this network and connect automatically next time.

If you see an error message, double-check the password character by character. Android sometimes shows a "Remembered" label next to networks you've connected to before — if you see this but can't connect, try "Forget" the network, then connect again with the password.

Connecting on Windows laptop or desktop

Click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, near the clock. A list of available networks will appear. Click your network name, then click Connect. A box will ask for the password — type it in and click Next.

Once connected, the WiFi icon will show a filled-in signal strength indicator. Windows will remember this network and connect automatically when you're in range.

If you don't see the WiFi icon in the corner, your WiFi adapter may be turned off. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, find Network adapters, and look for your WiFi device. If it has a down arrow next to it, right-click it and select Enable.

Connecting on Mac

Click the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your menu bar. A dropdown list of available networks will appear. Select your network name. A box will ask for the password — type it in and click Join.

Once connected, the WiFi icon will show signal strength. Your Mac will remember this network and connect automatically in the future.

If you can't find the WiFi icon, go to System Settings, click Network, then WiFi. Make sure WiFi is turned on. If you still don't see your network listed, move closer to the router — the signal may be too weak where you are.

Connecting on Chromebook

Click the time in the bottom right corner, then click the WiFi icon. A list of available networks will appear. Click your network name. A box will ask for the password — type it in and click Connect.

Once connected, the WiFi icon will show signal strength. Your Chromebook will remember this network and connect automatically next time.

If you see "Connection failed," check that the password is correct and try again. If the problem continues, restart your Chromebook by clicking the power button, waiting 10 seconds, then turning it back on.

What to do if you can't connect

The most common reason a device won't connect is a wrong password. Check the sticker on your router again and make sure you're typing it exactly — including capital letters, numbers, and special characters like hyphens or underscores. If the sticker is worn or unreadable, contact your internet provider and ask them to tell you the password over the phone.

If the password is correct, restart both your device and your router. Turn off your device completely, unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. Turn your device back on and try connecting again. This fixes most connection problems because it clears temporary errors in both devices.

If you still can't connect, make sure the router is powered on — look for a light on the front of the box. If there's no light, check that the power cable is plugged in. If the router is on but you still can't see your network name in the available networks list, the router may be too far away or there may be interference from other electronics. Try moving closer to the router and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my device keep asking for the password every time I connect?

Your device should remember the password after you connect once. If it keeps asking, the password may have been entered incorrectly the first time. Forget the network from your WiFi settings, then connect again and type the password very carefully. If this doesn't work, your device's WiFi settings may be corrupted — try restarting the device.

Can I change my WiFi password?

Yes. You'll need to log into your router's settings page, which requires a different password than the WiFi password. This is usually found in the paperwork that came with your router or on a sticker on the back of the device. If you don't have it, contact your internet provider — they can walk you through changing it or do it for you.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on your router — the password is usually printed there. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, contact your internet provider with your account number. They can tell you the password or reset it to a new one. You can also reset the router to factory settings by holding down a small reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase any changes you made and set the password back to the default on the sticker.

Why is my WiFi so slow even though I'm connected?

Being connected doesn't mean the signal is strong. Move closer to the router and try again — distance and walls weaken the signal. If you're far from the router, you may need a WiFi extender or to move the router to a more central location. Also check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth, like someone streaming video or downloading large files.

Can I connect multiple devices to the same WiFi network?

Yes, most home routers can handle 20 to 50 devices at once, depending on the router model. Each device connects separately using the same network name and password. If you have many devices and the connection is slow, the router may be overloaded — restart it and see if that helps.