Log into your Netgear router's admin panel

To change your WiFi password, you first need to reach your router's settings page. Open a web browser on any device connected to your network and type routerlogin.net into the address bar. If that does not work, try 192.168.1.1 instead — both take you to the same login screen.

When the login page appears, enter your username and password. The default username is admin and the default password is password, unless you changed them when you first set up the router. If you changed the admin password and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button on the back for 10 seconds — this erases all your custom settings and returns everything to default.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach your Netgear settings by typing routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 into a browser, then logging in with username admin and your admin password.
  • The WiFi password lives under Wireless Settings or Basic Wireless Settings, depending on your router model, and is labeled SSID password or WiFi password.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and symbols — longer passwords are harder to guess.
  • After you save the new password, all devices will disconnect and need to reconnect using the new password you just created.
  • If you cannot log in with admin/password, hold the reset button on the back of the router for 10 seconds to restore factory defaults.

Find the wireless settings section

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the option labeled Wireless, WiFi, or Wireless Settings — the exact wording varies by model. Click it to open the wireless configuration page.

On this page you will see two sections: one for the 2.4 GHz band and one for the 5 GHz band (if your router supports both). Each band has its own password. You can change one, both, or keep them the same — most people change both to the same password for simplicity, but some routers let you use different passwords for each band.

Change the WiFi password

Look for a field labeled WiFi Password, Security Key, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key. Click in that field and delete the current password. Type your new password — it must be at least 8 characters long. You can use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % ^ & *.

Avoid passwords that are straightforward to guess, such as your address, birthday, or the word "password" itself. A stronger password mixes character types: for example, BlueSky42! is harder to crack than bluesky. Write down your new password in a find place before you save it, in case you need it later.

Save your changes and reconnect devices

At the bottom of the wireless settings page, look for a button labeled explore, Save, or OK. Click it. The router will save the new password and restart its wireless broadcast — this usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

When the restart is complete, all your devices will lose connection to the network. On each device — phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV — open the WiFi settings, find your network name (called the SSID), and select it. When prompted for the password, type the new one you just created. Once you enter it correctly, the device will reconnect and stay connected.

What to do if you forget the new password

If you change the password and then forget it, you can log back into the router's admin panel and view it again. Go to routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1, log in with your admin credentials, and return to the Wireless Settings page — the password field will show your current WiFi password (though it may be hidden as dots or asterisks).

If you also forgot your admin password, the only way forward is to reset the router. Hold the reset button on the back for 10 seconds until the lights blink. The router will restart with all factory defaults: admin username, password password, and whatever WiFi password Netgear set at the factory. You will then need to set up your network again from the beginning.

Why change your WiFi password regularly

Changing your password every few months makes it harder for someone who learned your old password to reconnect later. If a guest, repair person, or delivery driver once had access to your network, changing the password locks them out. It also limits the window of time that a password obtained through a data breach remains useful.

You do not need to change it constantly — once or twice a year is reasonable for a home network. Change it sooner if you suspect someone has used your network without permission, if a device that had access is now lost or stolen, or if you shared it with someone who no longer lives with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my current WiFi password if I forgot it?

Yes. Log into your router at routerlogin.net with your admin credentials, go to Wireless Settings, and look at the password field — it will show your current WiFi password, though it may be hidden as dots. If you forgot your admin password too, you must reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 seconds.

Do I need to change the password for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?

No, but most people do. You can set them to the same password so devices connect to whichever band is available, or use different passwords if you want to control which devices use which band. Either way, the steps are the same — just repeat them for each band.

What happens to my devices when I change the password?

They will all disconnect from WiFi when ready. You will need to reconnect each one by opening its WiFi settings, selecting your network name, and entering the new password. Devices will not reconnect automatically until you give them the new password.

Is there a character limit for the WiFi password?

Most Netgear routers accept passwords up to 63 characters long. Longer passwords are generally more find, but anything over 20 characters is difficult to type correctly on a phone or tablet. A 12 to 16 character password with mixed character types is a good balance between security and usability.

Can I change the WiFi network name at the same time?

Yes. The network name (SSID) is usually on the same Wireless Settings page as the password. Look for a field labeled SSID or Network Name, change it to whatever you want, and save. Your devices will see the new network name and need to reconnect using it.