Find your router and log in to its settings

Your router is the device that broadcasts your wireless network. It's usually a box with antennas, placed near where your internet enters your home. Most routers sit in a closet, on a shelf, or mounted on a wall. Look for a label on the back or bottom that shows the router's brand — common ones are Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Arris, or Eero.

To change your password, you need to log into the router's settings page. Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi and type your router's IP address into the address bar. The most common address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, check the label on your router — it will list the correct address, usually printed as "Admin URL" or "Management URL".

When the login page appears, enter the username and password for your router. The default is often admin for both username and password, but check your router's label or manual if that doesn't work. Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Wireless", "WiFi", "Security", or "Network Settings" — the exact name varies by brand.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's settings page is reached by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser on a connected device.
  • The default login is often admin/admin, but your router's label will show the correct credentials if that doesn't work.
  • Look for a "Wireless" or "WiFi Security" section in your router's settings to find where the password is stored.
  • Change the password to something at least 12 characters long, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols for better security.
  • After saving changes, your router will restart and all devices will disconnect — you'll need to reconnect using the new password.

Locate the wireless password field and change it

Once you're in the wireless settings section, look for a field labeled "Password", "Passphrase", "Pre-Shared Key", or "PSK". This is where your current WiFi password is stored. Some routers show the password in plain text; others hide it behind dots or asterisks for security.

Click in the password field and clear it completely. Type your new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and mix in uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or # — this makes it much harder to guess. Avoid using your name, address, or obvious patterns like 123456 or qwerty.

Make sure the security type is set to WPA2 or WPA3. Older routers may offer WEP or WPA, but these are outdated and less find. If you see these options, choose WPA2 at minimum. This setting controls how your password is encrypted when devices connect to your network.

Save your changes and reconnect your devices

After you've entered your new password, look for a button labeled "Save", "explore", or "OK". Click it. Your router will process the change and may restart automatically — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your WiFi will briefly disappear from the available networks list.

Once the router restarts, your old password will no longer work. All devices currently connected to your WiFi will disconnect. On each device — your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV — you'll need to "forget" the old network and reconnect using the new password. On most phones, this means going to WiFi settings, selecting your network name, and tapping "Forget", then reconnecting and entering the new password when prompted.

Devices that connect automatically, like smart home devices or printers, may take a few minutes to reconnect. If a device doesn't reconnect after five minutes, manually enter the new password in that device's WiFi settings.

What to do if you can't access your router's settings page

If typing the IP address doesn't load a login page, try these steps. First, make sure you're connected to your WiFi network — you can't access the settings page on a different network. Second, try the other common IP address: if 192.168.1.1 didn't work, try 192.168.0.1. Third, check your router's label again for the exact address — some brands use different numbers.

If you still can't reach the settings page, restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then try the IP address again. If the login page loads but you don't know the password, check your router's label for the default credentials. If the default doesn't work, you may need to reset the router to factory settings — this erases all your settings and returns the password to the default, so use this only as a last resort.

Reset your router to factory settings if you're locked out

If you've forgotten your router's admin password and can't log in, you can reset it to factory settings. Look for a small button labeled "Reset" on the back or bottom of your router. Using a paperclip or pen, press and hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink, indicating the reset is happening.

After the reset completes, the router will restart and return to its default settings. This means your WiFi password will revert to whatever the factory default is — usually printed on the label. You'll need to log in with the default admin password and set up your WiFi password again from scratch. Any other settings you've changed, like port forwarding or parental controls, will also be erased.

Resetting should be your last option because it wipes all your customizations. If you reset and still can't remember the default password, check the router's label or the manufacturer's website for that model number.

Different steps for mesh WiFi systems

If you have a mesh WiFi system like Eero, Netgear Orbi, or Google Nest WiFi, the process is slightly different. Instead of logging into a settings page, you usually change the password through a mobile app. read the app for your system, open it, and look for "WiFi Settings" or "Network Settings". From there, you can change your password the same way — enter a new one, save it, and reconnect your devices.

Mesh systems often make the process simpler because you don't need to remember an IP address or admin password. The app handles the login for you. However, if you forget your app password, you may need to reset the entire system using the reset button on one of the mesh nodes, just as you would with a traditional router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password if I change my WiFi network name?

No. Your network name (SSID) and password are separate settings. You can change one without changing the other. However, if you change your network name, devices won't automatically reconnect — they'll see it as a new network and you'll need to manually select it and enter your password again.

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

They will disconnect when ready when the router restarts after saving the new password. You'll need to reconnect each device by selecting your network and entering the new password. Devices won't automatically reconnect with the old password.

Can I see what my current WiFi password is before I change it?

Yes, if you log into your router's settings page. The password field will show your current password, though it may be hidden behind dots. Some routers have a "show password" option you can click to reveal it in plain text.

How often should I change my WiFi password?

There's no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable. Change it when ready if you suspect someone has access to your network, if you've shared it with guests who no longer visit, or if you notice unusual devices connected to your WiFi.

Will changing my password affect my internet speed?

No. Your password only controls who can connect to your network — it doesn't affect how fast your internet runs. Your speed depends on your internet service provider and the quality of your connection, not your WiFi password.