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 on your phone or laptop. You change it by logging into your router's admin page, finding the wireless settings, 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 admin password (not your WiFi password — these are different) and a device connected to the internet. If you do not know the admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings, but that erases all your other settings too, so check your router's manual or the sticker on the back first.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi network name and your admin password are not the same thing — you need the admin password to change the network name.
  • You reach your router's settings by typing its IP address into a web browser, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  • The wireless settings page is where you change the SSID (network name) and should be labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", or "Network Name".
  • After you change the name, all your devices will disconnect and you will need to reconnect using the new network name.
  • A strong network name does not contain personal information and does not broadcast that you are using a particular router model.

Find your router's IP address and log in

Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi. In the address bar at the top, type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. If that does not work, try 192.168.0.1. One of these two addresses will take you to a login page.

The login page will ask for a username and password. The default username is usually admin, and the default password is often admin, password, or 12345 — check the sticker on the back of your router or the manual that came with it. If you changed the admin password before and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which erases all settings and returns it to factory defaults.

Navigate to the wireless settings page

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the option labeled Wireless, WiFi, Network, or SSID — different router brands use different names. Click on it.

You should now see a page with several fields. The one you need is labeled SSID, Network Name, or Wireless Network Name. This is the name that shows up when you search for networks on your phone. Leave the other settings alone for now — changing the channel, band, or security type can cause problems if you do not know what you are doing.

Type your new network name and save

Click in the SSID field and delete the current name. Type the new name you want. A good network name is something you will recognize but does not contain personal information like your last name, address, or phone number. Avoid names that identify your router brand — for example, do not use "Netgear-5G" or "TP-Link" because that tells anyone nearby what equipment you have.

After you type the new name, look for a Save, explore, or OK button at the bottom of the page and click it. The router will restart, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your internet will go down briefly.

Reconnect your devices to the new network

Once the router restarts, the old network name will disappear from the list of available networks. On your phone, laptop, or tablet, open the WiFi settings and look for your new network name. Click on it and enter your WiFi password — this is the same password you used before, not the admin password.

Repeat this step for every device in your home that uses WiFi. Devices that were connected to the old network name will not automatically switch over. If a device keeps trying to connect to the old name, go into its WiFi settings, find the old network, and select "Forget" or "Remove" before connecting to the new one.

What to do if you cannot access the router settings page

If typing the IP address does not take you to a login page, make sure you are connected to the WiFi network you are trying to change. You cannot reach the router settings from a different network or from a mobile data connection.

If you are connected to the WiFi but still cannot reach the settings page, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or use a different browser. If that does not work, the router may have a different IP address — check the manual or look at the bottom or back of the router for a sticker with the correct address. As a last resort, you can reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which will return all settings to factory defaults and let you log in with the default username and password.

Why you should change your default network name

Your router comes with a default network name that usually includes the brand and model number. Changing it serves two purposes: it makes your network easier to identify as yours, and it removes information that could help someone target your specific router model with known security flaws.

A custom network name also makes it harder for someone to guess that a particular network is yours if they know your address. If your network name is "Smith Family WiFi" and someone knows your last name, they can be more confident they have found your home network. A generic name like "Grayson" or "Riverside" is better because it does not reveal personal details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my network name disconnect me from the internet?

Yes, briefly. When you save the new name, the router restarts and all devices lose connection for 30 seconds to two minutes. After the router comes back online, you will need to reconnect each device using the new network name and your existing WiFi password.

Is the WiFi password the same as the admin password?

No. The admin password lets you into the router's settings page. The WiFi password is what you type on your phone or laptop to connect to the network. You can change the WiFi password separately in the wireless settings, usually on a field labeled "Passphrase" or "Pre-Shared Key".

What if I forget my new network name?

The network name will still appear in the list of available networks on any device that has connected to it before. You can also log back into the router settings page and check the SSID field to see what name you set. If you reset the router, it will go back to the default name printed on the sticker.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my network name?

Yes, most routers accept spaces and common symbols like hyphens and underscores. Avoid quotation marks and backslashes, which can cause problems on some devices. Keep the name under 32 characters so older devices can still see it.

Do I need to change my network name if I just want a stronger password?

No. The network name and password are separate. If you only want to change the password, go to the wireless settings page and look for a field labeled "Passphrase", "Pre-Shared Key", or "WiFi Password". Change that field instead and save — you do not need to change the network name.