Change your password through your router's settings page

To change your WiFi password, you log into your router's settings page using a web browser on any device connected to that network. The steps are the same whether you have a standalone router, a modem-router combo, or a mesh system — you find the router's IP address, enter it in your browser's address bar, log in with your admin credentials, and navigate to the wireless or WiFi settings section. From there you can type a new password and save the change. Your router will restart, and all your devices will disconnect temporarily.

The entire process takes about five minutes. You do not need to call your internet provider or unplug anything. The only tool you need is a device already connected to your WiFi and a web browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's settings page is accessed by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser address bar.
  • You log in with your admin username and password, which is printed on a sticker on the router itself if you have never changed it.
  • The WiFi password setting is usually labeled "Wireless Security", "WiFi Password", or "Pre-Shared Key" and is found under a Wireless or Security tab.
  • After you save a new password, all devices will disconnect and must reconnect using the new password — this takes 30 seconds to two minutes per device.
  • If you forget your new password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, which erases all your changes.

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 works for most home routers. You will see a login screen asking for a username and password.

Look at the sticker on the bottom or back of your router. It lists the default admin username and password — usually something like "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number. Type these into the login screen. If you changed the admin password in the past and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings (see the last section).

After you log in, you are in your router's settings page. This looks different depending on your router brand, but the layout is similar across most models.

Locate the wireless security or WiFi password setting

Once you are logged in, look for a tab or menu labeled Wireless, WiFi, Security, or Advanced. Click on it. Inside that section, find the setting for your WiFi password. It may be called Wireless Password, WiFi Password, Pre-Shared Key, Passphrase, or WPA2 Password.

You may see two separate networks listed — one labeled 2.4GHz and one labeled 5GHz. Both are your WiFi; they are just different frequency bands. You can change the password for both at once, or set them to different passwords. Most people set them to the same password for simplicity.

Do not change any other settings on this page. Changing the network name (SSID), security type, or channel can cause connection problems. Only change the password field.

Enter your new password and save

Click in the password field and delete the current password. Type your new password. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, BlueSky#2024Home.

After you type the new password, scroll down and look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK. Click it. Your router will restart, which takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your WiFi will disappear from the available networks list.

Reconnect your devices with the new password

Once your router restarts and your WiFi network reappears, go to each device and reconnect. On a phone or tablet, open Settings, find your WiFi network name in the list, and tap it. When prompted for the password, type your new password exactly as you entered it in the router settings. On a computer, do the same through your WiFi settings.

Devices usually remember the old password and will not automatically switch to the new one — you have to manually reconnect each device. Printers, smart speakers, security cameras, and other connected devices also need to be reconnected. If a device does not reconnect after you enter the correct password, restart that device and try again.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it, you cannot look it up anywhere — it is only stored in your router. The only way to regain access is to reset the router to factory settings. Find the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router. Using a paperclip or the tip of a pen, press and hold it for 10 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the router will blink, and it will restart.

After the reset, your router will be back to its default state. This means your WiFi network name and password are back to what is printed on the sticker, and any other settings you changed are erased. You will need to log back in and set everything up again, including your WiFi password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tell my internet provider I changed my WiFi password?

No. Your WiFi password is separate from your internet service. Changing it does not affect your connection to your provider. You only contact your provider if your internet stops working entirely.

Will changing my password disconnect my devices permanently?

No. Your devices will disconnect when the router restarts, but they will reconnect as soon as you enter the new password. After that, they will automatically reconnect whenever they are in range, just like before.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone instead of a computer?

Yes. Open any web browser on your phone, type your router's IP address in the address bar, and follow the same steps. Some router brands also have a mobile app that lets you change the password without using the settings page.

What if I cannot find the password field in my router settings?

Look for a tab labeled "Wireless Security" or "WiFi Security" — the password is usually there rather than under a general "Wireless" tab. If you still cannot find it, write down your router brand and model number (on the sticker) and search online for "[brand] [model] change WiFi password" to see the exact steps for your router.

Is it safe to use the same WiFi password for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz?

Yes, it is safe and convenient. Most people do this. Your devices will automatically connect to whichever band has the stronger signal. You can set different passwords if you want to control which devices use which band, but it is not necessary for security.