The basic steps for changing your password

To change your internet password, you log into your account on your internet provider's website or app, find the settings or account section, locate the password option, and follow the prompts to enter your current password and then your new one. The exact steps depend on which provider you use — Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, a local cable company, or another service — but the general path is the same across all of them.

Most providers let you change your password without calling customer service. You do not need to restart your modem or router, and the change takes effect when ready. Anyone else using your Wi-Fi network will stay connected; they will only need to re-enter the new password the next time they try to join the network.

If you cannot remember your current password, most providers have a "forgot password" link on their login page. You will verify your identity using your account number, phone number, or email address, and the provider will send you a reset link or temporary password.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Wi-Fi password through your internet provider's website or app, not through your router itself, though some routers have their own separate password.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like "BlueSky#2024Rain" rather than "password123".
  • Changing your password does not disconnect devices already on your network, but they will need the new password to rejoin after they disconnect.
  • Your Wi-Fi password is different from your internet account password; changing one does not change the other.

Where to find the password change option

Log into your account on your provider's website. For Comcast Xfinity, go to xfinity.com and click "Sign In" at the top right. For Verizon Fios, go to verizon.com/home and sign in. For AT&T, go to att.com and sign in. Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled "Account," "Settings," "My Account," or "Profile."

Inside that section, find a link or button for "Wi-Fi," "Network," "Internet," or "Password." Some providers bury this under "Manage Devices" or "Connected Devices." If you cannot find it, look for a "Help" or search box within the account area and type "change password" or "Wi-Fi password."

On mobile apps, the path is usually the same: open the app, sign in, tap the menu or account icon, and look for settings related to your network or Wi-Fi. The app may be faster than the website for this task.

The difference between your Wi-Fi password and your account password

Your Wi-Fi password is what guests and devices use to connect to your home network. Your account password is what you use to log into your provider's website to pay bills and manage your service. They are separate, and changing one does not change the other.

If you change your Wi-Fi password, people and devices already connected to your network stay connected until they disconnect or restart. Then they will need the new password to rejoin. If you change your account password, it only affects your ability to log into the provider's website — your internet service and Wi-Fi keep working as before.

Some routers also have their own separate password, used to access the router's settings page. This is different from both your Wi-Fi password and your account password. Most people never need to change the router password, but it exists if you want to prevent someone from accessing your router's advanced settings.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your Wi-Fi password every few months makes it harder for someone to use your network without permission. If a guest or former roommate has your password, changing it locks them out. If your password was weak or you used it on multiple services, changing it reduces the risk that someone who found it elsewhere can use it to access your home network.

You do not need to change your password constantly — once or twice a year is reasonable for most people. Change it sooner if you suspect someone has used your network without permission, if you have had guests or service workers in your home, or if you notice unfamiliar devices connected to your network.

How to create a strong password

A strong Wi-Fi password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Examples: "BlueSky#2024Rain" or "Coffee&Cats47!" or "Mountain9@Sunset." Avoid passwords that are your name, address, birthday, or common words that appear in the dictionary.

You do not need to memorize your Wi-Fi password — write it down and keep it somewhere safe, like a notebook in a drawer or a password manager. When guests ask for it, you can read it to them. The point of a strong password is to make it hard for someone to guess or crack it by trying common combinations, not to make it hard for you to remember.

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane, you can store your Wi-Fi password there along with your other passwords. This way you have one find place to keep track of all your passwords without writing them on a sticky note.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you change your Wi-Fi password and then forget it, you can reset it the same way you changed it: log into your provider's website, go to the Wi-Fi or network settings, and change it again to something you will remember. If you have forgotten your account password and cannot log in, use the "forgot password" link on your provider's login page.

If you are locked out of your account entirely, call your provider's customer service number. They will verify your identity using your account number, phone number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number on file, and they can reset your password for you or help you regain access to your account.

Devices that need the new password after you change it

After you change your Wi-Fi password, any device that was already connected to your network will stay connected until it restarts, goes to sleep, or moves out of range. The next time it tries to connect — or the next time you restart it — it will ask for the new password.

Devices that commonly need the new password include phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, smart speakers, printers, and security cameras. You will need to go into each device's Wi-Fi settings, forget the old network, and reconnect using the new password. On most devices, this takes less than a minute.

If you have a lot of devices, change your password when you have time to update them all. You do not have to do it all at once — devices will keep working on the old password until you restart them or they disconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Wi-Fi password disconnect my devices?

Not when ready. Devices already connected stay connected until they restart, go to sleep, or move out of range. When they try to reconnect, they will ask for the new password. You can change your password and then update each device when it is convenient.

Can I change my password from my phone?

Yes. Open your provider's app or website on your phone, sign in, go to account settings, find the Wi-Fi or network section, and follow the same steps you would on a computer. The process is identical.

What if my provider does not have a website option to change the password?

Some smaller providers or older systems may require you to call customer service. Look for a phone number on your bill or on the provider's website. Have your account number ready when you call.

Is my Wi-Fi password the same as the one printed on my router?

Usually yes — the password printed on the bottom or back of your router is your Wi-Fi password. However, if you have changed it since you got the router, the printed password is outdated. Your current password is whatever you set it to most recently through your provider's website.

Do I need to change my password if I change my router?

No. Your Wi-Fi password is managed by your provider, not by the router itself. If your provider sends you a new router or you buy one, your password stays the same. You may need to reconnect your devices to the new router, but the password does not change.