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 sends out the WiFi signal. If you cannot find the password, you can reset it through your router's settings, though this will disconnect all devices currently using that network.

On most devices, the steps are nearly identical: open your network settings, find the network name in the list of available networks, select it, and type in the password exactly as it appears. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you type "MyPassword" when it should be "mypassword", the connection will fail.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi network name and password are usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router.
  • Passwords must be typed exactly as they appear, including capital letters and special characters.
  • If you enter the password wrong three times, most devices will lock you out temporarily to prevent hacking attempts.
  • Once connected, your device will remember that network and reconnect automatically the next time you are in range.
  • If connection fails after multiple attempts, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Connect on Windows

On a Windows computer, click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, next to the clock. A list of available networks will appear. Find your network name in that list and click it. A box will pop up asking for the password. Type it in carefully and click "Next".

Windows will show you a message saying "Connecting" for a few seconds, then either "Connected" or an error message. If you see "Connected", you are done — your computer is now on WiFi. If you see an error, check that you typed the password correctly and try again. After three wrong attempts, Windows will make you wait a few minutes before trying again.

Once you connect successfully, Windows remembers that network. The next time your computer is near it, Windows will connect automatically without asking for the password again. If you want to stop this from happening, go back to that network in your WiFi list, click it, and select "Forget".

Connect on Mac

On a Mac, click the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your screen. A dropdown menu will show all available networks. Click your network name. A box will appear asking for the password. Type it in and click "Join".

Your Mac will connect within a few seconds. You will see a checkmark next to your network name in the WiFi menu, and the WiFi icon will change to show signal strength. If you see an error message instead, the password was typed incorrectly. Try again, paying close attention to capital letters and spaces.

Like Windows, your Mac will remember this network and connect automatically in the future. To remove a saved network, go to System Settings, click WiFi, then click "Manage Known Networks" and select the network you want to forget.

Connect on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap WiFi. Toggle WiFi on if it is not already on. A list of available networks will appear. Tap your network name. A keyboard will pop up. Type the password and tap "Join".

Your device will connect within seconds. You will see a checkmark next to the network name and a WiFi icon at the top of the screen. If you get an error message, the password was typed wrong. Tap the network name again and re-enter the password. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive.

Your iPhone or iPad will automatically reconnect to this network whenever you are in range. If you need to disconnect, go back to Settings, tap WiFi, tap your network name, and select "Forget This Network".

Connect on Android

Open Settings and tap WiFi or Network & Internet, depending on your phone model. Toggle WiFi on. A list of available networks will appear. Tap your network name. A box will ask for the password. Type it in and tap "Connect".

Your phone will connect within a few seconds. You will see a WiFi icon at the top of the screen and a checkmark next to your network name. If you see an error, the password was typed incorrectly. Tap the network again and try once more, checking for capital letters and spaces.

Android saves this network automatically. To remove it later, tap your network name in the WiFi list, then tap "Forget". Your phone will no longer connect to it automatically.

What to do if the password is wrong

If you type the password incorrectly, your device will show an error message like "Cannot connect" or "Incorrect password". This means the characters you typed do not match what is stored in your router. Check the password on the router sticker again, paying special attention to the difference between the letter O and the number 0, and between the letter l and the number 1. These look similar but are different characters.

Try typing the password again. If you still get an error after three attempts, most devices will lock you out for a few minutes as a security measure. Wait at least five minutes before trying again. If you have tried multiple times and are certain the password is correct, your router may have been reset or the password may have been changed. In that case, you will need to reset the router to its factory settings or contact whoever manages the network.

Restart your router if nothing works

If you cannot connect even with the correct password, or if you were connected before but suddenly lost the connection, restart your router. Unplug the power cable from the back of the router and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in. The lights on the router will blink as it starts up, which takes about one to two minutes.

Once the lights stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern, try connecting again. Restarting the router clears out temporary problems that can prevent new connections. This fixes the issue about 80 percent of the time. If you are still unable to connect after restarting, the problem may be with your internet service itself, and you should contact your internet provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Also check for spaces at the beginning or end of the password — these are easy to miss. If you are still stuck, look at the password on your router sticker under bright light to make sure you are reading it correctly. The letter O and number 0 look very similar, as do the letter l and number 1.

Can I change my WiFi password?

Yes. Open a web browser on a device that is already connected to your WiFi and type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar. This takes you to your router's settings page. You will need to log in with a username and password, usually "admin" and "admin" or found on a sticker on the router. Once logged in, look for WiFi settings or security settings and change the password there. All devices will need to reconnect using the new password.

My device keeps disconnecting from WiFi. What should I do?

First, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, "forget" the network on your device and reconnect to it fresh. On some devices, moving closer to the router helps if the signal is weak. If disconnections happen only at certain times of day, your router may be overheating — make sure it has space around it and is not in a hot closet or near a heat source.

How do I connect if I do not know the password?

Check for a sticker on the router with the network name and password printed on it. If there is no sticker, or if the password has been changed, you can reset the router to factory settings. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 seconds with a paperclip. This erases all settings and returns the router to its original password, which is usually on the box it came in or in the manual.

Will my device stay connected if I leave the WiFi range?

No. Once you move far enough away from the router that the signal is too weak, your device will disconnect. When you come back into range, it will reconnect automatically if you have not forgotten the network. If you need internet away from home, you will need to use mobile data on your phone or find another WiFi network to connect to.