The fastest way to change your AT&T WiFi password

You can change your AT&T WiFi password in about five minutes by logging into your router's admin page through any web browser on a device connected to that network. The router's address is almost always 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — you type it into the address bar just like a website URL. Your login username is usually admin and your password is either the one printed on the back of your router or the one AT&T sent you when you first set it up.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Security. The exact name depends on your router model, but it is always near the top of the menu. From there, you can change the password (sometimes called the WiFi key or passphrase) to anything you want. Write down the new password before you leave the page — you will need it to reconnect your devices.

If you cannot remember your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button on the back for about 10 seconds. This erases all your changes and returns the password to the default, but it also disconnects every device from your network, so you will have to reconnect them all afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your router at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 using the username admin and the password on the back of your router or in your AT&T paperwork.
  • Navigate to WiFi Settings or Wireless Settings and change the password to something you can remember, then save the changes.
  • All your devices will stay connected to the old password until you manually reconnect them with the new one.
  • If you forget your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory defaults, but this disconnects all devices and erases your settings.
  • The entire process takes about five minutes if you know your admin password, or 15 to 20 minutes if you have to reset the router first.

Finding your router's address and login information

Your router's address is the number you type into your browser to reach the admin page. Most AT&T routers use 192.168.1.1, but some use 192.168.0.1. If neither of those works, check the back or bottom of your router — the address is usually printed there next to "Gateway" or "Router Address."

The admin username is almost always admin for AT&T routers. The password is trickier. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the router that says "WiFi Password," "Admin Password," or "Default Password" — that is usually your starting point. If the sticker shows only your WiFi password (the one you use to connect your phone or laptop), you may need to look for a separate admin password, which AT&T often sends in an email or includes in the paperwork that came with your router.

If you cannot find either password, write down the model number of your router (also on the sticker) and search online for "[your model number] default password." AT&T publishes the defaults for most models. If that does not work, resetting the router to factory settings is your next option.

Step-by-step: logging in and changing the password

Open any web browser on a device that is connected to your AT&T WiFi — a laptop, tablet, or phone all work. Type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar at the top and press Enter. If that does not load a login page, try 192.168.0.1 instead.

When the login page appears, enter admin in the username field and the password from your router's sticker (or your AT&T paperwork) in the password field. Click the Login button. If the password does not work, go back and check the sticker again — the text is often small and straightforward to misread.

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the section for WiFi Settings, Wireless Settings, or Security Settings — the exact name varies by router model. Click on it. You should see a field that says WiFi Password, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key. That is the password your devices use to connect to your network.

Delete the old password and type in a new one. Make it at least 8 characters long and use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols if you can — that makes it harder to guess. Write down the new password on a piece of paper before you go any further. Then click Save, explore, or OK to save the change.

Reconnecting your devices after the password change

After you change the password, every device that was connected to your network will lose its connection within a few minutes. You will see a message saying the network password is incorrect or the connection failed. This is normal and expected.

To reconnect, go to your device's WiFi settings and find your network name in the list. Click on it and enter the new password you just created. Do this for every device — your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, printer, and any other gadget that uses your WiFi. Most devices will remember the new password after you enter it once, so you will not have to do this again unless you change the password again.

If a device does not reconnect after you enter the new password, try turning WiFi off and back on, or restarting the device entirely. If it still does not work, check that you typed the password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters.

What to do if you cannot log into your router

If you try the admin password from your router's sticker and it does not work, the password may have been changed at some point. Try any passwords you remember using for your router in the past. If none of them work, you have two options: contact AT&T support, or reset the router to factory settings.

Resetting the router erases all your custom settings and returns everything to the default. To do this, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold down the reset button for about 10 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink, and the router will restart. This takes about two minutes.

After the reset, the admin password returns to the default printed on the sticker. Log in again with admin and that default password, then change your WiFi password as described above. Keep in mind that resetting also erases any other settings you may have customized, such as port forwarding or parental controls.

Different router models and where to find WiFi settings

AT&T uses several different router models, and the admin pages look slightly different on each one. The most common are the AT&T BGW210, the AT&T Fiber Gateway, and older models like the AT&T 2Wire. Regardless of the model, the process is the same: log in at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, find the WiFi or Wireless Settings section, and change the password.

On newer AT&T routers, the WiFi Settings section is usually one of the first options you see after logging in. On older models, you may have to click through Advanced Settings or look for a tab labeled Wireless. If you cannot find it, look for a section called Security or Network Settings — the WiFi password is usually grouped with other network information.

If you are using AT&T's mobile app to manage your router instead of the web page, the process is similar but the menu names may be slightly different. Open the app, find the WiFi or Network section, and look for an option to change the password. The app walks you through the same steps as the web page, just in a different layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect my devices permanently?

No. Your devices will disconnect when ready after you change the password, but you can reconnect them by entering the new password in their WiFi settings. Once you do, they will work normally. If you change the password again in the future, the same thing happens — devices disconnect and you reconnect them with the new password.

What if I forget the new password I just created?

Log back into your router's admin page and look at the WiFi Settings section again. The password is usually displayed there (sometimes hidden behind a "show password" button). Write it down or change it to something easier to remember. If you forget your admin password instead, you will need to reset the router to factory settings.

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

Yes. Open any web browser on your phone, type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar, and log in with your admin credentials. The process is the same as on a computer, though the page may be harder to read on a small screen. You can also use AT&T's mobile app if you prefer.

How often should I change my WiFi password?

There is no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable if you want to keep your network find. Change it when ready if you think someone has guessed your password or if a device you no longer trust had access to it. You do not need to change it just because you changed your AT&T account password.

What is the difference between my WiFi password and my admin password?

Your WiFi password is what your phone, laptop, and other devices use to connect to your network. Your admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page to make changes. They are separate passwords, and you can change them independently. Most people only need to change their WiFi password; the admin password stays the same unless you forget it.