Access your router's settings page

To change your router password, you first need to open the settings page where all router controls live. Open any web browser on a device connected to your Wi-Fi, then type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar and press Enter. One of these addresses will load your router's login page.

If neither address works, check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker listing the correct address — it may be different depending on your router brand. You can also try routerlogin.net or myrouter.local, which work on many modern routers.

The page that loads will ask 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 them and click Login or Sign In.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's settings page is reached by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser address bar, and the default login is usually printed on a sticker on the router itself.
  • Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings, or Security — the exact name depends on your router brand — and find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key.
  • Change the password to something at least 12 characters long that mixes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, because longer passwords are harder for others to guess.
  • After you save the new password, your devices will disconnect from Wi-Fi and you will need to reconnect using the new password you just created.
  • If you forget the new password, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which will erase all your settings.

Find the Wi-Fi password field in your router settings

Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Settings, or Security. Different router brands use different names, but this section always controls your Wi-Fi network. Click on it.

Inside that section, find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. This is the password people use to connect to your Wi-Fi. Do not confuse it with the router login password you just used — they are separate. The Wi-Fi password is what you share with guests or use on your phone.

If you see a field labeled SSID, that is your network name, not your password. Leave it alone unless you want to change what your Wi-Fi network is called.

Create a strong new password and save it

Click in the password field and clear the old password. Type a new one that is at least 12 characters long. Mix in uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or # — the more variety, the harder it is for someone to guess.

Write down the new password somewhere safe before you click Save or explore. Once you save, you will need this exact password to reconnect your devices, and there is no way to see it again from the router settings page.

Click the Save, explore, or Confirm button. Your router will process the change, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, the router may restart and all connected devices will lose Wi-Fi.

Reconnect your devices to Wi-Fi with the new password

After the router finishes restarting, your devices will show your Wi-Fi network name but will not automatically reconnect — they still have the old password stored. On each device, go to Wi-Fi settings, find your network name, and select it.

When prompted for the password, enter the new one you just created. Type it carefully, because passwords are case-sensitive — uppercase and lowercase letters are different. Once you enter it correctly, the device will connect and remember it for next time.

Repeat this step on every device that uses your Wi-Fi: phones, tablets, laptops, smart speakers, printers, and anything else. Devices you do not reconnect will stay disconnected until you give them the new password.

Change the router login password too (optional but recommended)

The password you just changed is for Wi-Fi — it is what guests use to connect. The router login password is separate and controls who can access the settings page you are on right now. Changing it is optional, but it prevents someone on your Wi-Fi from accessing your router settings.

Look for a section called Administration, System Settings, Advanced, or Account. Inside, find fields for Username and Password or Admin Password. Change the password to something different from your Wi-Fi password and at least 12 characters long.

Save the change. You will be logged out and will need to log back in using the new credentials the next time you open the router settings page.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you forget the Wi-Fi password and cannot find where you wrote it down, you can reset the router to factory defaults. Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident.

Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink or go dark. Release the button and wait two to three minutes for the router to restart.

Once it restarts, the Wi-Fi password will be back to the factory default printed on the sticker. The router login password will also reset to default. You will need to set up your Wi-Fi password again from scratch, and any other settings you changed will be erased.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot reach the settings page at 192.168.1.1, make sure you are connected to the router's Wi-Fi and not a different network. If you are on a wired connection, that works too. Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. If the address still does not load, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If you log in but cannot find the Wi-Fi password field, look for a link or tab labeled Wireless or Network at the top or side of the page. Some routers hide settings under an Advanced section. If you are still stuck, search online for "[your router model] change Wi-Fi password" — your exact model number is on the sticker on the router.

If devices refuse to connect after you change the password, double-check that you typed it correctly when reconnecting. Passwords are case-sensitive and spaces count. If a device still will not connect, forget the network in that device's Wi-Fi settings and reconnect from scratch, entering the password again carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Wi-Fi password the same as the router login password?

No. The Wi-Fi password is what people type to connect to your network on their phone or computer. The router login password controls access to the settings page. You can change them separately, and it is a good idea to make them different.

How often should I change my Wi-Fi password?

There is no set rule. Change it if you suspect someone has it, if a guest moves out, or if you want to disconnect a device without resetting the whole router. Changing it every few months is reasonable if security is a concern, but it is not required.

What happens to my internet when I change the password?

Your internet connection itself does not change. Your devices will disconnect from Wi-Fi temporarily because they no longer have the correct password. Once you reconnect them with the new password, everything works as before. Wired devices plugged into the router are not affected.

Can I see my current Wi-Fi password from the router settings?

Yes, in the same field where you change it. Look for a small eye icon next to the password field that shows or hides the password. If you cannot find it, you can reset the router to see the factory default password on the sticker, but that erases all your settings.

What if I change the password and then forget it when ready?

If you have not closed the settings page yet, you can usually click the eye icon to reveal what you just typed. If you have closed it, you will need to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button, which takes about five minutes total.