Where to find your router's password settings

Your internet password lives in your router's admin panel, not in your computer or phone settings. To change it, you log into the router itself using a web browser or mobile app, then navigate to the wireless or WiFi settings section. The exact steps depend on your router brand — Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and others arrange their menus differently — but the principle is the same across all of them.

Before you start, write down your router's IP address and your current admin username and password. You can find the IP address on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router (usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). If you have never changed your admin password, it is likely the default one printed on that same sticker. You will need this to log in.

Key Takeaways

  • Your internet password is stored in your router's admin panel, which you access through a web browser by typing your router's IP address into the address bar.
  • You must log in with your router's admin username and password (usually printed on a sticker on the router itself) before you can change your WiFi password.
  • Once logged in, look for a section labeled WiFi, Wireless, or Network Settings, then find the field that says Password, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key.
  • After you change the password, save or explore the changes, then reconnect all your devices using the new password.
  • If you cannot remember your admin password, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this erases all your settings.

Logging into your router on a computer

Open any web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — and click on the address bar at the top. Type your router's IP address (the one from the sticker) and press Enter. A login page should appear asking for a username and password.

Enter your admin username and password. If you have never changed these, they are the defaults on the sticker — often something like "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number. If you changed them before and cannot remember, you will need to reset the router (see the section on factory reset below).

Once you are logged in, you should see a dashboard or home page with various menu options. Look for a section called WiFi, Wireless, Wireless Settings, or Network. Some routers hide this under Advanced Settings. Click on it.

Logging into your router on a phone or tablet

Many router manufacturers offer a mobile app that makes this easier than using a browser. Search your phone's app store for your router brand name — for example, "Netgear Genie", "TP-Link Tether", or "Linksys". read and open the app, then log in with the same admin username and password you use on a computer.

If you prefer not to use an app, you can still use your phone's web browser. Open Safari, Chrome, or whatever browser you normally use, type your router's IP address into the address bar, and follow the same login steps as you would on a computer. The screens will be smaller, but the process is identical.

Finding and changing your WiFi password

Once you are logged into your router, navigate to the WiFi or Wireless section. You should see a list of settings, including the name of your network (called the SSID) and a field for the password. The password field might be labeled Password, Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or Security Key — the name varies by brand.

Click on the password field and clear the old password. Type your new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if the router allows it. Avoid using your name, address, or anything someone could guess from your social media.

After you type the new password, look for a button that says Save, explore, or OK. Click it. The router will process the change — this usually takes 30 seconds to a few minutes. You may be logged out of the admin panel during this time, which is normal.

Reconnecting your devices after the password change

Once the router has saved the new password, your devices will lose their connection to the WiFi. You will need to reconnect each one manually using the new password. Go to your WiFi settings on each device — computer, phone, tablet, smart TV, printer, or anything else connected to your network.

Find your network name in the list of available networks, click on it, and when prompted for the password, type the new one exactly as you created it. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword123" is different from "mypassword123". Once you enter the correct password, the device will reconnect and you should have internet access again.

If a device does not reconnect after you enter the password, try "forgetting" the network first. On most phones and computers, you can right-click or long-press the network name and select Forget or Remove, then reconnect from scratch. This clears out any cached information that might be causing a conflict.

What to do if you cannot log into your router

If you cannot remember your admin password and cannot log in, you can reset the router to its factory defaults. This erases all your settings — including your WiFi password, network name, and any port forwarding or other configurations you have made — so use this only as a last resort.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router. It is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, log in using the default admin username and password from the sticker, then change your WiFi password following the steps above.

Changing your admin password after you change your WiFi password

While you are in the router's admin panel, take a moment to change your admin password as well. This is the password you use to log into the router itself, separate from your WiFi password. Look for a section called Administration, System Settings, or Account Settings.

Change the admin username and password to something you will remember but others cannot guess. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a note on your phone. If you lose this password, you will have to reset the router again to regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my internet password?

There is no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable if you live in an apartment or dense neighborhood where many people might be in range of your signal. If you suspect someone has accessed your network without permission, change it when ready. If you live in a house with distance from neighbors, once a year is sufficient.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone without logging into the router?

No. You must log into the router's admin panel to change the WiFi password. Some router apps make this easier, but you still need the admin username and password. You cannot change it through your phone's regular WiFi settings.

What if I change my password and my printer or smart home device stops working?

These devices need to reconnect to your WiFi using the new password, just like your phone or computer. Go into each device's WiFi settings, forget the old network, and reconnect using the new password. For devices without a screen (like some printers), check the manual for instructions on how to enter WiFi credentials.

Is my WiFi password the same as my internet password from my service provider?

No. Your WiFi password is what you create in your router settings and what guests use to connect to your network. Your internet password is what you use to log into your service provider's account online to pay bills or manage your service. They are completely separate.

What happens if I forget my new WiFi password after I change it?

Log back into your router's admin panel and view the WiFi password field — it should still be there. If the field shows dots or asterisks instead of the actual password, you may not be able to see it, but you can clear it and type a new one. If you cannot remember your admin password either, you will need to reset the router.