Access Your Router's Admin Page

To change your WiFi password, you first need to log into your router's settings page. Open any web browser on a device connected to your WiFi and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, then press Enter. Most home routers use one of these two addresses.

If neither address works, look at the back or bottom of your router for a sticker. It will show the correct address, usually labeled "Admin URL" or "Gateway". Write down this address — you will need it again if you forget your password later.

A login page will appear asking for a username and password. If you have never changed these, they are the factory defaults printed on that same sticker on your router. Common defaults are admin/admin or admin/password, but yours may differ. Enter the credentials and click Log In.

Key Takeaways

  • You log into your router through a web address like 192.168.1.1, not through your internet provider's website.
  • The factory default username and password are printed on a sticker attached to your router.
  • WiFi password settings are usually under a section labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", or "Network".
  • After you change the password, all devices will disconnect and you will need to reconnect them using the new password.
  • Write down your new password and keep it somewhere safe — if you forget it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings.

Locate the Wireless or WiFi Settings

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the section labeled Wireless, WiFi, Network, or sometimes Security. Different router brands use different names, but this section always controls your WiFi password.

Click on that section. You will see a page with fields for your network name (called SSID) and your current password. The password field may show dots or asterisks instead of the actual characters — this is normal and a security feature.

Change the Password Field

Find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key. Click in that field and clear whatever is there. Type your new password.

Most routers require passwords to be between 8 and 63 characters long. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #) to make it harder to guess. Avoid using your name, address, or obvious sequences like 123456.

Do not change the network name (SSID) unless you have a reason to — changing it will disconnect all your devices, and you will have to reconnect them to the new name as well as enter the new password.

Save Your Changes

Look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will process the change, which usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

During this time, your internet may briefly disconnect. This is normal. Do not unplug the router or close the browser — wait for the page to confirm the change was saved.

Reconnect Your Devices

After the router finishes saving, all your devices (phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers) will automatically disconnect from your WiFi because they still have the old password stored. You will need to reconnect each one manually.

On your phone or computer, go to WiFi settings and select your network name from the list. When prompted for the password, enter the new one you just created. Repeat this for every device that uses your WiFi.

Some devices may take a few minutes to show the network in the available list after the password changes. If a device does not appear, wait 2 to 3 minutes and refresh the WiFi list.

If You Cannot Log Into Your Router

If you do not know the factory default password, or you changed it before and forgot it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings. This erases all your custom settings, including the WiFi password, and returns everything to the defaults printed on the sticker.

To reset, locate the small Reset button on the back of the router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip to press it). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it finishes, use the factory default credentials to log back in and set a new password.

After a reset, you will also need to reconnect all your devices to WiFi again, and you may need to reconfigure other settings like port forwarding if you had set those up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my WiFi password if I change my internet provider?

No. Your WiFi password is separate from your internet service. You can keep the same WiFi password even if you switch providers. However, if you get a new router from the new provider, it will have its own factory default password that you should change.

What if I change the password but my devices still will not connect?

Make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Also check that you are connecting to the correct network name; some routers broadcast both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with slightly different names. If a device still will not connect after several tries, forget the network in your device's WiFi settings and reconnect from scratch.

Can I see what password I just set if I forget it right after?

Yes. Log back into your router's admin page using the same address and credentials, go to the Wireless or WiFi section, and look at the password field. It may show as dots, but some routers have a "Show Password" checkbox you can click to reveal it.

Will changing my WiFi password affect my internet speed?

No. The password only controls who can connect to your network. It does not change how fast your internet is. If your speed changes after you set a new password, something else is the cause.

How often should I change my WiFi password?

There is no set rule. Change it if you think someone unauthorized is using your network, if you have had guests over and want to cut off their access, or if you suspect your old password was compromised. For most home users, changing it once a year or less is reasonable.