The basic steps to connect any device

To connect to Wi-Fi, open your device's network settings, find your network name in the list of available networks, select it, and enter the password. The exact steps depend on whether you are using a phone, tablet, laptop, or computer, but the principle is the same across all devices.

Your network name (also called the SSID) is the one you set up when you installed your router. If you cannot remember it, you can find it printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. The password is usually on the same sticker, or you can change it to something you remember better through your router's settings page.

Once you enter the correct password, your device will connect and remember that network. The next time you are in range, it will reconnect automatically without asking for the password again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your network name and password are printed on a sticker attached to your router, usually on the back or bottom.
  • On phones and tablets, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, find your network name, tap it, and enter the password.
  • On Windows computers, click the network icon in the bottom right corner, find your network, and select "Connect".
  • On Mac computers, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner, select your network, and enter the password.
  • Once connected, your device will remember the network and reconnect automatically when you are in range.

Connecting on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. You will see a list of networks within range. Find your network name and tap it. A box will appear asking for your password — type it in exactly as it appears on your router's sticker, paying attention to capital letters and numbers. Tap "Join" when you are done.

If you see a checkmark next to your network name, you are connected. If you see a warning symbol or "Unable to Connect", the password is wrong. Go back to your router and check the sticker again, or try resetting your password through the router's settings page if you have changed it since installation.

Connecting on Android phones and tablets

Open Settings and look for "Wi-Fi" or "Network and Internet" — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap Wi-Fi to turn it on if it is off. You will see a list of available networks. Tap your network name, then enter your password in the box that appears. Tap "Connect" or "OK".

Some Android devices will show a "Saved" label next to your network if you have connected before. If you see "Can't connect" after entering the password, turn Wi-Fi off and back on, then try again. If that does not work, the password may be incorrect — double-check the sticker on your router.

Connecting on Windows computers

Look for the network icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, near the clock. It looks like a series of curved lines or bars. Click it to open the network list. Find your network name and click it, then click "Connect". A box will ask for your password — type it in and click "Next".

If you see "Connected" under your network name, you are online. If you see "Can't connect", the password is wrong or your router is not broadcasting. Check the sticker on your router and try again. If your network name does not appear in the list at all, move closer to the router or restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Connecting on Mac computers

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner of your screen — it looks like a fan or curved lines. A dropdown menu will show available networks. Click your network name. A box will appear asking for your password. Type it in and click "Join".

Once connected, you will see a checkmark next to your network name in the Wi-Fi menu. If you see "Unable to Join", the password is incorrect. Check your router's sticker and try again. If your network does not appear in the list, make sure your router is turned on and move closer to it.

What to do if you forget your password

Your Wi-Fi password is printed on the sticker attached to your router. If you cannot find the sticker or the text is worn away, you can reset the password by logging into your router's settings page. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will be asked to log in — the default username is usually "admin" and the password is often "admin" or "password", though this varies by router model.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Wi-Fi Settings" or "Wireless Settings". You can change your password to something you will remember. Write down the new password and keep it somewhere safe. After you change it, you will need to reconnect all your devices using the new password.

If you cannot remember the router login password either, you can perform a factory reset by holding down a small reset button on the router for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase all your settings and return the router to its original state, so you will need to set it up again from the beginning.

Troubleshooting when your device will not connect

If your device finds your network but will not connect, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Check the sticker on your router character by character — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters. If you have changed your password since installation, make sure you are using the new one.

If the password is correct but the device still will not connect, try turning Wi-Fi off and back on. On phones and tablets, go to Settings and toggle Wi-Fi off, wait 10 seconds, then toggle it back on. On computers, click the network icon and turn Wi-Fi off, wait a moment, then turn it back on. This often clears temporary connection problems.

If that does not work, restart your router by unplugging it from power, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart, then try connecting again. If your device still will not connect after these steps, try connecting a different device to see if the problem is with your router or with the specific device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my device say "Incorrect Password" when I know the password is right?

Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Check the sticker on your router and type it exactly as shown, including capital letters and numbers. If you have changed your password, make sure you are using the new one, not the original.

Can I change my Wi-Fi password to something easier to remember?

Yes. Log into your router's settings page by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser, then look for Wi-Fi or Wireless Settings. You can change your password there. After you change it, you will need to reconnect each device using the new password.

Why does my network name not show up in the list of available networks?

Your router may be off or too far away. Check that it is plugged in and powered on. Move closer to the router and refresh your network list. If it still does not appear, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Will my device automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi when I come home?

Yes, once you have connected to a network, your device will remember it and reconnect automatically when you are in range. You do not need to enter the password again unless you change it or forget the network.

What if I want to connect a guest to my Wi-Fi without giving them my main password?

Most routers have a guest network feature. Log into your router's settings page and look for "Guest Network" or "Guest Wi-Fi". You can create a separate network with its own password that guests can use. This keeps your main network more find.