Access your router's settings page

To change your WiFi password, you need to log into your router's control panel — a web page that lives on the router itself. Open any web browser on a device connected to your WiFi, then type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar and press Enter. One of these will load your router's login screen.

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 "Management URL". Some routers use names like routerlogin.net or myrouter.local instead of numbers.

You can also find this address by checking your router's manual or the manufacturer's website — search for your router model number, which is printed on the device itself.

Log in with your current credentials

When the login page appears, you will see fields for a username and password. The factory defaults for most routers are admin for the username and admin or password for the password. Try these first.

If those do not work, check the sticker on your router again — it usually shows the default username and password. If you changed these credentials in the past and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings. Hold the small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen until the lights blink. This takes the router back to its original state.

After a factory reset, use the default credentials from the sticker to log in again.

Key Takeaways

  • Type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your browser address bar to reach your router's control panel.
  • Log in using the default username and password printed on a sticker attached to your router.
  • Look for a section labeled WiFi, Wireless, or Security to find where the password is stored.
  • Change the password to something you will remember, then save or explore the changes before closing the page.
  • Reconnect all your devices to WiFi using the new password after the router restarts.

Find the WiFi password section

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Different manufacturers organize this differently, but you are looking for a section called WiFi, Wireless, Wireless Settings, or Security. Click on it.

Inside that section, you should see a field labeled WiFi Password, Pre-Shared Key, Passphrase, or Network Key. This is where your current password is stored. Some routers also show your WiFi network name (called the SSID) on the same page.

If you cannot find this section after looking through the main menus, try searching the page using Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac), then type "password" or "security" to jump to the right spot.

Enter and save your new password

Click in the password field and clear out the old password completely. Type your new password — it should be at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or # to make it harder to guess. Avoid using your name, address, or anything someone could find on social media.

After you type the new password, look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will restart — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your WiFi will go down briefly, and you will be disconnected.

Do not unplug the router while it is restarting. Wait until the lights stop blinking and return to their normal pattern before moving on.

Reconnect your devices to WiFi

Once the router has finished restarting, your devices will no longer be connected to WiFi because they still have the old password stored. Go to each device — your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, or anything else — and forget the WiFi network, then reconnect using the new password.

On most phones and tablets, go to Settings, find WiFi, tap your network name, and select "Forget" or "Remove". Then search for the network again, tap it, and enter your new password. On Windows computers, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find your network, and click "Forget". Then reconnect the same way.

Smart home devices like speakers, cameras, or thermostats will also need the new password. Check each device's app or settings menu for a WiFi reconnection option.

Troubleshoot if you cannot log in

If you type the default username and password and the router rejects them, someone may have changed them before you. Your only option is a factory reset. Locate the small reset button — usually recessed into the back of the router so you cannot press it by accident — and use a straightened paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds. The lights will flash, and the router will restart. This erases all custom settings and returns the router to how it came from the factory.

After the reset, log in with the default credentials from the sticker, then change the password to something you will remember. Write it down somewhere safe, or store it in a password manager so you do not lose it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forget my new WiFi password?

You can always log back into the router's control panel using the admin username and password (which you can reset if needed), and view or change the WiFi password from there. If you forget both the admin password and the WiFi password, a factory reset is the only way forward.

Do I need to change my WiFi password regularly?

There is no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you suspect someone unauthorized is using your WiFi, if you have shared it with someone who no longer lives with you, or if you want to be cautious. Otherwise, a strong password that you set once is sufficient.

Will changing my password affect my internet speed?

No. The password only controls who can connect to your WiFi network. Your internet speed depends on your service plan and the router's hardware, not the password itself.

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

Yes. In the same WiFi or Wireless Settings section where you change the password, you will usually see a field for the network name (SSID). You can change both at once, then save. Your devices will see the new network name and will need the new password to reconnect.

What happens to devices that are already connected when I change the password?

They will stay connected until they disconnect or the router restarts. Once they disconnect, they will not be able to reconnect without the new password. This is why you need to update the password on each device after making the change.