Change your WiFi name through your router's settings page

Your WiFi network name — called the SSID — is what appears when you look for networks to connect to on your phone or laptop. You change it by logging into your router's settings page, finding the wireless settings section, and typing a new name. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether your router is from your internet provider or one you bought separately.

You will need two things: your router's IP address (usually printed on the router itself) and your router's admin password. If you have never changed the admin password, it is likely the default one printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. Once you have both, you can change the name from any device connected to your network or even from a device that is not connected yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi network name is changed in your router's settings page, which you reach by typing your router's IP address into a web browser.
  • You will need your router's admin password, which is usually the default password printed on the router itself if you have never changed it.
  • After you change the name and save, your old network will disappear from the list of available networks and the new name will appear within a few seconds.
  • Devices already connected to your old network will lose connection and will need to reconnect using the new network name.
  • Changing your network name does not affect your internet speed or security — it is purely cosmetic unless you use the name to hide your network type.

Find your router's IP address and admin password

Look at the back or bottom of your router for a sticker. This sticker usually shows the IP address (often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), the default username (usually "admin"), and the default password. Write these down or take a photo. If the sticker is missing or worn away, try 192.168.1.1 first — this is the most common default address.

If you have already changed your admin password and cannot remember it, you will need to reset your router to factory settings. This erases all your settings, including your current WiFi name and password. To reset, hold down the small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds while it is powered on. The router will restart, and you can then use the default password from the sticker.

Log into your router's settings page

Open a web browser on any device — a computer, phone, or tablet. Type your router's IP address into the address bar at the top, exactly as it appears on the sticker. Press Enter. A login page should appear asking for a username and password.

Enter "admin" as the username and the password from the sticker as the password, then click the login button. If this does not work, try leaving the username blank and entering only the password. Once you are logged in, you will see your router's settings dashboard. This page looks different depending on your router brand, but the wireless settings section is usually labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", "WLAN", or "Network".

Locate the wireless settings and change the network name

Look for a section called "Wireless Settings", "WiFi Settings", or "WLAN Settings". Click on it. You should see a field labeled "Network Name", "SSID", or "Wireless Network Name" — these all mean the same thing. This field contains your current network name.

Click in that field and delete the current name. Type your new network name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most special characters, though some routers do not accept certain symbols. Keep the name under 32 characters so it displays fully on all devices. Choose something you will recognize easily but that does not broadcast sensitive information — for example, "Home Network" is better than "John's House on Maple Street".

Save your changes and reconnect devices

After you type the new name, look for a button labeled "Save", "explore", "OK", or "Submit". Click it. Your router will restart — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your internet will go down briefly, and all connected devices will lose their connection.

Once the router restarts, your old network name will no longer appear in the list of available networks. The new name will show up instead. On each device you want to reconnect, open your WiFi settings, find the new network name, click it, and enter your WiFi password. The password does not change unless you also changed it in the router settings — only the network name changed.

Troubleshoot if the new name does not appear

If you save the changes but the new network name does not appear after a few minutes, try these steps. First, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart. If the new name still does not appear, log back into the settings page and check that your changes were actually saved — sometimes the page does not save if there was a connection hiccup.

If you see the new name but cannot connect to it, make sure you are entering the WiFi password correctly. The password is different from the admin password — it is the one you use to connect devices to your network. If you do not remember it, you can find it or change it in the same wireless settings section where you changed the network name. Look for a field labeled "Password", "Passphrase", "Security Key", or "Pre-Shared Key".

Understand what changes and what stays the same

Changing your network name does not change your internet speed, your security settings, or your WiFi password. It is purely cosmetic — you are only changing the label that appears when someone looks for networks to join. Your internet connection strength and speed remain exactly the same.

If you want to actually improve your security, change your WiFi password at the same time. You can do this in the same settings section where you changed the network name. Look for "Password", "Passphrase", or "Security Key" and enter a new one. Make it at least 12 characters long and use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down somewhere safe because you will need it to reconnect all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi name disconnect my devices?

Yes. When you save the new name, your router restarts and all connected devices lose their connection. They will not automatically reconnect — you must manually reconnect each device by selecting the new network name and entering your WiFi password. This takes about one minute per device.

Can I change my WiFi name from my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is connected to the network. Open a web browser, type your router's IP address, log in with your admin password, and follow the same steps. You can also change it from a device that is not connected if you know the IP address and admin password.

What if I forgot my admin password?

Reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings and returns the password to the default one printed on the sticker. You will then need to set up your WiFi name and password again from scratch.

Does changing my network name affect my internet bill or speed?

No. Your network name is just a label — it has no effect on your internet speed, your bill, or how your router works. Only your internet provider controls your speed and billing.

Can I hide my WiFi network name?

Yes. In the wireless settings section, look for an option called "Hide SSID", "Broadcast SSID", or "Network Visibility". If you turn this on, your network name will not appear in the list of available networks, but devices that have connected before will still find it. This adds a small layer of obscurity but is not a security measure — anyone with the right tools can still see hidden networks.