Where your network password actually lives

Your Wi-Fi password is stored in three places: on the router itself (usually a sticker on the back or bottom), in your router's settings page (which you access through a web browser), and on any device that has connected before. The easiest route depends on whether you can still access your network or whether you're locked out entirely.

If you can still connect to your network on at least one device — a phone, laptop, or tablet — you can retrieve the password without touching the router. If you cannot connect to anything, you will need physical access to the router or access to your router's admin account.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router first — most routers ship with the default password printed there.
  • On Windows, you can view a saved Wi-Fi password through Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks without needing the router.
  • On Mac, the Keychain app stores your Wi-Fi password and can display it if you know your computer login password.
  • If you have forgotten both your Wi-Fi password and your router login, a factory reset is the only option, which erases all your custom settings.
  • Write down your new password and store it somewhere physical and separate from the router — not on a sticky note attached to it.

Retrieving the password from a device that is already connected

On Windows 10 or 11: Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi. Click "Manage Known Networks" and select your network name. Click "Properties" and toggle "Show" next to the password field. Windows will ask for your computer login password to confirm, then display the Wi-Fi password in plain text.

On Mac: Open Spotlight (Command + Space), type "Keychain Access," and open it. Search for your network name in the search box. Double-click the network entry, check the box next to "Show password," enter your Mac login password when prompted, and the Wi-Fi password will appear.

On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find your network name, and tap the information icon (i) next to it. Tap "Password" — iOS will show it if you have Face ID or Touch ID enabled on that device. If you do not, you cannot view it this way.

On Android: The method varies by manufacturer and Android version. On most recent phones, go to Settings, tap Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi, long-press your network name, and tap "Share." A QR code appears; the password is not shown as text. If you need the text password, you will need to access the router instead.

Accessing your password through the router settings page

Every router has a settings page you can reach through a web browser. To find it, you need three pieces of information: the router's IP address (usually printed on the sticker), the admin username (often "admin"), and the admin password (also usually on the sticker or in the manual).

Open a web browser on any device connected to your network. Type the IP address into the address bar — common ones are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. The router will ask for a username and password. Enter the credentials from the sticker. Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," or "Network Settings." Your network name and password will be displayed there, often in a section called "Wireless Security" or "SSID Settings."

If you have changed the admin password since you set up the router and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings (see below). If you have never changed it and the sticker credentials do not work, try the router manufacturer's default credentials — search online for "[router model] default password" to find them.

Checking the physical sticker on the router

Most routers ship with a sticker on the back or bottom that lists the default network name (SSID) and password. Look for a label that says "Wi-Fi Password," "Network Key," "Passphrase," or similar. The password is usually a string of letters, numbers, and symbols.

If the sticker is missing, faded, or illegible, you can still look up the default password if you know the router model. Search online for "[router brand and model number] default password" — the model number is also on the sticker or the device itself. Manufacturer support pages usually list defaults, though they may not work if someone has changed the password since setup.

Resetting the router if you cannot access settings

If you cannot connect to the network, cannot access the router settings page, and the sticker password does not work, a factory reset is your only option. This erases all your custom settings, including the Wi-Fi password you set, and returns the router to its default state.

Locate the reset button on the router — it is usually a small, recessed button on the back. Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots up, the network name and password will revert to the factory defaults printed on the sticker.

After the reset, log into the router with the default credentials, change the admin password, and set a new Wi-Fi password. Write this new password down and store it somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a document on your computer. Do not store it on a sticky note attached to the router.

Preventing password loss in the future

The best defense against forgetting your password is not to rely on memory. Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to store your Wi-Fi password along with your router admin credentials. Most password managers can autofill Wi-Fi passwords on devices that support it, and they keep everything encrypted and backed up.

If you do not use a password manager, write the password on paper and store it in a physical location separate from the router — a filing cabinet, a safe, or a drawer in another room. This way, if someone gains access to your router, they cannot when ready find the password written nearby.

When you change your Wi-Fi password (which you should do periodically for security), update it in your password manager or your written record at the same time. Set a reminder on your calendar to change the password every 90 days if you live in a shared building or have guests over regularly.

What to do if you suspect someone else knows your password

If you think an unauthorized person has your Wi-Fi password — a former roommate, a guest who overstayed, or someone who saw it written down — change it when ready. Log into your router settings page, find the Wi-Fi password field, and replace it with a new one. Most routers will disconnect all currently connected devices when you change the password, so you will need to reconnect your own devices afterward.

After changing the password, check your router's connected devices list to see if anyone is still connected. The location of this list varies by router, but it is usually under "Connected Devices," "DHCP Clients," or "Active Connections." If you see a device you do not recognize, it may be an old device that is trying to reconnect using the old password — it will fail once the new password is active. If you see a device actively connected that you do not own, someone is on your network and you should change the password again and consider a factory reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Wi-Fi password if I am not connected to the network?

Not through your device — you need either a device that is already connected, or access to the router itself. If you have a laptop or phone that remembers the network, you can retrieve the password from that device even if you are not currently connected. Otherwise, you need the router's admin login or the factory default password from the sticker.

What if the password on the sticker does not work?

Someone has changed it since the router was set up. Try the router manufacturer's default credentials (search online for the model number). If that does not work, you will need to factory reset the router, which erases all custom settings and returns it to the sticker password.

Is it safe to write down my Wi-Fi password?

Writing it down is safer than using a weak password you can remember, as long as you store the paper somewhere find and separate from the router. A password manager is more find because it encrypts the password and backs it up, but a locked drawer is better than nothing.

Will changing my Wi-Fi password disconnect my devices?

Yes. All devices will be disconnected when you change the password. You will need to reconnect each one by entering the new password. Devices will not automatically reconnect — you have to do it manually for each one.

What is the difference between the Wi-Fi password and the router admin password?

The Wi-Fi password is what guests and your devices use to connect to the network. The admin password is what you use to log into the router settings page to change the Wi-Fi password or other settings. They are separate and should both be strong and different from each other.