The basic steps to change your router password

To change your wireless password, you log into your router's settings page, find the wireless security section, enter a new password, and save the changes. Your devices will then need the new password to reconnect. The whole process takes about five minutes and requires no technical skill — just knowing where to look.

The router itself is the box that broadcasts your Wi-Fi signal. It has a settings page you access through a web browser on any device already connected to your network. You'll need the router's IP address (usually printed on the router itself or in your manual) and the admin password (also printed on the router, or the default one if you've never changed it).

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's default password is printed on a sticker on the device itself — look for "Admin Password" or "Default Password" before you start.
  • The router's settings page is accessed by typing the IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into your browser's address bar.
  • Once logged in, look for "Wireless Settings," "Wi-Fi Settings," or "Security" — the exact name varies by router brand.
  • After you change the password and save, all your devices will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect.
  • Change your admin password (the one that controls the router settings) separately from your Wi-Fi password to prevent someone from changing your settings.

Finding your router's IP address and default password

The easiest place to find both pieces of information is on a sticker attached to the bottom or back of your router. Look for labels that say "IP Address," "Default Gateway," "Admin Password," or "Default Password." Most routers use either 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 as the IP address. The default password is often "admin" or "password," but your specific router model may use something different.

If the sticker is missing or illegible, you can find this information in your router's manual. If you have the manual, search for "default password" or "IP address." You can also search online for your router model number (printed on the sticker or the device itself) plus "default password" to find the manufacturer's documentation.

Logging into your router's settings page

Open any web browser on a device that is currently connected to your Wi-Fi. In the address bar at the top, type the IP address exactly as it appears on the sticker — for example, 192.168.1.1 — and press Enter. A login page should appear asking for a username and password.

Enter the default username (often "admin") and the default password from the sticker. If you've changed the admin password before and don't remember it, you may need to reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, including your Wi-Fi password, so only do this if you're prepared to set everything up again.

Finding and changing the wireless password

Once you're logged in, look for a menu option labeled "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Wireless Settings," or "Security." The exact wording depends on your router brand — common manufacturers include Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and Asus, and each uses slightly different menu names. If you can't find it when ready, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page that lists different settings categories.

In the wireless settings section, you'll see a field labeled "Network Name" or "SSID" (the name your Wi-Fi broadcasts) and another labeled "Password," "Passphrase," or "Pre-Shared Key." The password field is what you need to change. Delete the old password and type in a new one. Make it at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — this makes it much harder for someone to guess.

After you enter the new password, look for a "Save," "explore," or "OK" button and click it. The router will restart, which usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. During this time, your Wi-Fi will briefly disappear.

Reconnecting your devices after the password change

Once the router restarts and your Wi-Fi signal returns, your devices will no longer be able to connect using the old password. On each device — phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, printer — you'll need to "forget" the old network and reconnect with the new password.

On a phone or tablet, go to Wi-Fi settings, find your network name in the list, tap it, and select "Forget" or "Remove." Then search for the network again, select it, and enter the new password. On a Windows or Mac computer, do the same through your network settings. Smart devices like printers or smart speakers may have their own setup process — check the device's manual or the manufacturer's website if you're unsure how to enter a new password.

Changing your admin password separately

The password you just changed is your Wi-Fi password — the one your devices use to connect to the internet. Separate from that is your admin password, which controls access to the router's settings page itself. If someone knows your admin password, they can log in and change your Wi-Fi password, disable security, or alter other settings.

To change the admin password, stay logged into the router's settings page and look for a menu option labeled "Administration," "System Settings," "Advanced," or "Management." Find the field for "Admin Password" or "Router Password" and change it to something different from your Wi-Fi password. Save the changes. From now on, you'll use this new password whenever you log back into the router's settings page.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you can't reach the router's settings page, make sure you're typing the IP address correctly and that you're connected to the Wi-Fi network. If you're still stuck, try unplugging the router for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully restart before trying again.

If you enter the default password and it doesn't work, the admin password may have been changed before. If you don't know what it was changed to, your only option is to reset the router to factory settings. Hold the reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink or the router restarts. This returns all settings to their defaults, including the Wi-Fi password, so you'll need to set everything up again from scratch.

If your devices still can't connect after you've entered the new password, double-check that you typed it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are treated as different. Also make sure you're connecting to the correct network name if you have multiple networks in range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my Wi-Fi password if I change my admin password?

No, they are separate. You can change one without changing the other. However, it's a good idea to change both — the Wi-Fi password controls who can use your internet, and the admin password controls who can change your router settings. Changing them at different times makes it harder for someone to guess both.

What if I forgot my Wi-Fi password and need to reconnect a device?

Log into your router's settings page using the admin password and look at the wireless settings section. Your current Wi-Fi password will be displayed there (though it may be hidden behind dots or asterisks). Write it down, then use it to reconnect your device. If you don't remember the admin password either, you'll need to reset the router.

Can I change my Wi-Fi password from my phone instead of a computer?

Yes. Open a web browser on your phone, type the router's IP address into the address bar, and follow the same steps. The settings page will look slightly different on a phone screen, but the options are the same.

How often should I change my Wi-Fi password?

There's no fixed schedule. Change it if you suspect someone has learned it, if a guest or contractor who knew the password no longer needs access, or if you haven't changed it in several years. For most home networks, changing it once a year or whenever someone moves out is reasonable.

Will changing my password disconnect me from the internet?

Temporarily, yes. When you save the new password, the router restarts and your devices lose connection. Once the router finishes restarting and you reconnect with the new password, your internet will work normally again. The whole process usually takes a few minutes.