Change your WiFi name in your router settings

Your WiFi name — called the SSID — lives in your router, not on your devices. To change it, you log into the router's control panel using a web browser or app, find the wireless settings, type a new name, and save. The whole process takes about five minutes. Your devices will see the new name when ready, though you may need to forget the old network and reconnect.

The router's control panel is separate from your internet provider's website. You are not logging into your account with them; you are logging into the physical box in your home. This is why the username and password are usually printed on a sticker on the router itself — not sent to you in an email.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and the default username and password on the sticker attached to the router.
  • Open a web browser, type the IP address into the address bar, and log in with the credentials from the sticker.
  • Look for "Wireless Settings," "WiFi Settings," or "SSID" in the menu and change the name to whatever you want.
  • Save your changes — the router may restart, and your WiFi will briefly disconnect.
  • On your devices, forget the old network name and reconnect using the new one and your WiFi password.

Find your router's login information

Every router has a physical sticker on the bottom or back. This sticker shows the default username, default password, and the IP address you need to type into a browser. Write these down or take a photo before you start. If the sticker is missing or faded, the manual that came with your router has this information, or you can search online for "[your router model] default login."

Do not confuse this with your WiFi password. The sticker shows two different passwords: one to log into the router itself, and one for your WiFi network. You are about to change the WiFi password separately if you want to, but first you need the router login password to get inside the settings.

Log into your router through a web browser

Open any web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge — and click on the address bar at the top. Type the IP address from the sticker. Most routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Press Enter. A login page will appear asking for a username and password.

Type the username and password from the sticker. Click "Log In" or "Submit." You are now inside your router's control panel. If the login fails, double-check that you typed the IP address correctly and that you are using the router login credentials, not your WiFi password. If you still cannot log in, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and trying again.

Find the wireless settings and change your network name

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the section called "Wireless," "WiFi," "Wireless Settings," or "SSID." Different router brands use different names, but they all have a section for wireless settings. Click on it.

You will see a field labeled "SSID," "Network Name," or "WiFi Name." This is where your current network name appears. Click in that field, delete the old name, and type a new one. You can use letters, numbers, and spaces. Avoid special characters like @ or # because some devices have trouble connecting to networks with those symbols. A good network name is something you will recognize but that does not broadcast personal information — "Home Network" or "Guest WiFi" works better than "John's House" or your address.

Save your changes and reconnect your devices

Look for a "Save," "explore," or "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. Click it. Your router will process the change — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your WiFi will disconnect and come back on with the new name. You may see a brief pause or a "No Internet" message on your devices.

Once the WiFi comes back, open the WiFi settings on each of your devices. You will no longer see the old network name. Find the new name in the list of available networks, click it, and enter your WiFi password. If you changed the password at the same time, use the new password. If you did not change the password, use the same one you have always used. Your device will reconnect within a few seconds.

Change your WiFi password while you are in the settings

While you are in the wireless settings, you can also change your WiFi password — the one your devices use to connect, not the router login password. Look for a field called "Password," "Passphrase," "Security Key," or "Pre-Shared Key." Delete the old password and type a new one.

Make your password at least 12 characters long and mix letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid dictionary words or patterns like "123456." Write the new password down or save it somewhere safe before you click Save, because you will need it to reconnect all your devices. If you forget it, you can always log back into the router and change it again.

Troubleshoot if your devices will not reconnect

"Forgetting" a network tells your device to stop remembering the password and connection details. On most phones and computers, you can do this from the WiFi settings menu — find the old network name, tap or click it, and select "Forget." Then search for the new network name and reconnect with your password.

If a device still will not connect after you forget and reconnect, restart the device. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try connecting to the new network again. If you changed the password and the device is asking for the old one, forgetting the network usually fixes this. On older devices or smart home gadgets, you may need to restart the router as well — unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi name disconnect me from the internet?

Yes, briefly. When you save the change, your router restarts and your WiFi drops for 30 seconds to two minutes. Your internet comes back with the new network name. Devices that were connected will lose their connection and need to reconnect manually using the new name.

Can I change my WiFi name without changing the password?

Yes. You can change only the network name and leave the password the same. When your devices reconnect, they will use the same password they always have. You do not have to change both at once.

What if I cannot find the wireless settings in my router?

Look for tabs or menu items labeled "Wireless," "WiFi," "Network," or "Advanced." If your router has a mobile app instead of a web interface, open the app and look for a settings or configuration section. If you are still stuck, search online for "[your router model] how to change SSID" — your exact model number is on the sticker.

Do I need to change my WiFi name for security?

Changing the name does not make your network more find on its own. What matters is using a strong password and keeping your router's firmware updated. A custom network name is useful because it does not broadcast the router's brand and model to anyone scanning for networks, which is a small security benefit.

What happens to devices that are still trying to connect to the old network name?

They will not find it and will show "Network not available" or "Cannot connect." Once you forget the old network on each device and reconnect to the new name, they will work normally again.