Where to change your WiFi password

Your WiFi password lives in your router's settings, not on your device. You reach it by opening a web browser on any computer or phone connected to your network, typing your router's IP address into the address bar, and logging in with your router's admin credentials.

The router's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device itself — commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you cannot find it, you can also look it up by checking your network settings on your computer or phone, where it appears as the "gateway" or "default gateway" address.

Once you type that address into your browser, you will see a login screen. The default username is often "admin" and the default password is often "admin" or "password", but check the sticker on your router or your router's manual for the exact credentials. If you changed these credentials before and cannot remember them, you will need to reset your router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your router's settings by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser on a connected device.
  • Log in with your router's admin username and password, which are printed on the router itself if you have not changed them.
  • Look for a "Wireless", "WiFi", or "Security" section in the settings menu, where you can change the network name and password.
  • After you change the password, all devices will disconnect and must reconnect using the new password.
  • If you forget your admin password, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this erases all custom settings.

Step-by-step: changing the password in your router settings

After you log into your router's admin page, look for a menu item labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", "Wireless Security", or "Network Settings" — the exact name depends on your router brand. Click or tap that section.

You will see two fields you need to change: the network name (called SSID) and the password (called "Pre-Shared Key", "Passphrase", or "Security Key"). You can change just the password and leave the network name the same, or change both. The network name is what appears in your list of available WiFi networks on your devices.

Type your new password into the password field. Most routers require at least 8 characters, and many require a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — the screen will tell you if your password does not meet the requirements. Write down your new password somewhere safe before you save, because you will need it to reconnect your devices.

Click "Save" or "explore" at the bottom of the page. Your router will restart, which takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. During this time, your internet will be unavailable.

Reconnecting your devices after the password change

Once your router restarts and comes back online, every device currently connected to your WiFi will disconnect automatically. Your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, and any other connected device will show that the network is available but will not connect until you provide the new password.

On each device, open the WiFi settings, find your network name in the list, and tap or click it. When prompted for the password, type the new one exactly as you entered it in the router settings — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword123" is different from "mypassword123". After you enter the password correctly, the device will connect and stay connected.

Repeat this process for every device on your network. Smart devices like thermostats, doorbell cameras, and smart speakers may take longer to reconnect or may require you to re-enter their WiFi settings through their own apps.

Why you might want to change your password

The most common reason to change your WiFi password is that someone outside your household has learned the old one and is using your network without permission. This slows down your internet for everyone in your home and can be a security risk.

Another reason is that you inherited a router from a previous tenant or owner and do not know the original password. In this case, you will need to reset the router to factory settings and set up a new password from scratch.

You might also change your password periodically as a security practice, especially if many people have known it over time or if you have had guests who wrote it down.

What to do if you cannot access your router settings

If you type your router's IP address into a browser and nothing appears, first make sure you are connected to that router's WiFi network — you cannot access the settings over a different network. Also check that you typed the address correctly, including the periods and numbers.

If you are connected and the address is correct but the page still will not load, try a different web browser. Some older routers do not work well with newer browsers like Chrome or Firefox, but may work with Internet Explorer or Safari.

If you have forgotten your router's admin password and cannot log in, your only option is to reset the router to factory defaults. Locate the small reset button (usually recessed into the case) on the back of the router, hold it down with a paperclip or pen for 10 to 15 seconds, and release. The router will restart and return to its original settings, including the default admin password printed on the sticker. This erases any custom settings you made, including your WiFi password, so you will need to set everything up again from the beginning.

Choosing a strong WiFi password

A strong WiFi password is long, random, and difficult to guess. Aim for at least 12 characters that mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your address, or any information someone could find out about you.

Good examples include randomly generated strings like "Kx7$mP2wQn9vL4" or "B8jF#3rT6sY1dW". Bad examples include "password123", "MyAddress2024", or "WiFi12345" — these are straightforward to guess or crack.

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone's operating system, you can generate a random password and store it securely. You will not have to remember it, and you can retrieve it whenever you need to reconnect a device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect my devices?

Yes. All devices currently connected will disconnect when your router restarts after the password change. You will need to reconnect each one manually by entering the new password. This usually takes a few minutes per device.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is connected to the WiFi network. Open a web browser, type your router's IP address into the address bar, log in with your admin credentials, and follow the same steps as you would on a computer. The process is identical.

What if I change the password and forget it when ready?

You can log back into your router settings and change it again. If you have already disconnected all your devices and cannot remember the new password, you will need to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button, then set up a new password and reconnect everything.

Does changing my WiFi password affect my internet speed?

No. The password change does not affect how fast your internet is. If your internet feels slower after the change, it is likely because fewer unauthorized devices are now connected to your network, or because you are noticing the speed for the first time.

Can I change my password without resetting my router?

Yes. You do not need to reset your router to change the password. You only reset it if you have forgotten your admin login credentials and cannot access the settings page at all.