Where to change your WiFi settings

You change your WiFi name and password through your router's admin panel, not through your phone or computer settings. Your router is the box that broadcasts the signal — it holds the actual settings. You reach the admin panel by typing your router's IP address into any web browser on a device connected to that WiFi.

The most common IP address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Type one of these into your browser's address bar (the same place you type website names) and press Enter. If neither works, you can find your router's correct address by looking at the sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself — it usually says "Gateway" or "Admin URL".

When you type the address, a login screen appears. You will need your router's username and password. These are different from your WiFi password — they control access to the router itself. The default username is often "admin" and the password is often "admin" or "password", but check your router's sticker or manual first. If you changed these before and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your router's settings by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser on a connected device.
  • Log in with your router's admin username and password (found on the router's sticker), not your WiFi password.
  • Look for a section labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", or "Network" to find where you change the network name and password.
  • After you change settings, save or explore the changes — the router will restart and disconnect you briefly.
  • Reconnect your devices using the new WiFi name and password once the router restarts.

Finding the WiFi settings inside the admin panel

Once you are logged in, you will see a dashboard with many options. Look for a section called "Wireless", "WiFi", "Network", or "WLAN" — the exact name depends on your router brand. This section is usually in a left-side menu or a row of tabs at the top.

Inside that section, you will see fields for the network name (also called SSID) and the network password (also called passphrase or security key). The network name is what appears when you look for WiFi on your phone or laptop. The password is what you type to connect.

Some routers show separate settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands — these are two different radio frequencies your router broadcasts on. Most devices use 2.4 GHz, but newer devices may prefer 5 GHz because it is faster. You can give them the same name and password (called a "unified network") or different names so you can choose which band to use. For most homes, keeping them the same is simpler.

Changing the network name

Click in the network name field and clear the existing text. Type the new name you want. WiFi names can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most symbols — but avoid special characters like @ or & because some devices have trouble with them.

Choose a name that is straightforward to remember and that you can recognize as yours. Avoid putting your last name, address, or router model in the name, because anyone nearby can see it and it gives away information about your home. A straightforward name like "HomeNetwork" or "YourName-WiFi" works well.

Changing the password

Click in the password field and clear the existing text. Type a new password that is at least 12 characters long — longer passwords are harder to guess. Mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #) if the field allows them.

Write the new password down somewhere safe before you save it, because you will need it to reconnect all your devices. If you forget it, you will have to come back to this admin panel and change it again.

Avoid passwords that are common words, your name, your address, or straightforward patterns like "123456" or "qwerty". Avoid using the same password as your router's admin password — they should be different.

Saving your changes and reconnecting

After you type the new name and password, look for a button labeled "Save", "explore", or "OK" at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will restart, which takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your WiFi will disappear and come back on.

Once the router restarts, the new network name will appear in the list of available WiFi networks on your phone, laptop, or other devices. Click on it, select "Connect", and type the new password. Repeat this for every device in your home — phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, printers, and anything else that uses WiFi.

If a device remembers the old password and tries to connect automatically, it will fail. Go into that device's WiFi settings, forget the old network, and reconnect with the new password.

What to do if you cannot access the admin panel

If you type the IP address and nothing appears, or if the login screen rejects your username and password, try these steps in order.

First, make sure you are connected to the WiFi you are trying to change. If you are on a different network, you cannot reach the router. Second, try the other common IP address — if 192.168.1.1 did not work, try 192.168.0.1. Third, check the sticker on your router for the correct address, username, and password — they may be different from the defaults.

If you still cannot log in, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. This erases all your changes and returns the router to its original state, so you will need to set everything up again. After a reset, use the default username and password from the sticker.

Changing the password on a mesh WiFi system

If you have a mesh system (multiple units that work together, like Eero, Netgear Orbi, or TP-Link Deco), you usually do not access the router directly. Instead, you use the system's mobile app. Open the app, look for "Settings" or "Network Settings", and find the option to change the network name and password.

Mesh systems typically use a single network name and password across all units, so you only change it once. The app walks you through the process and handles the restart automatically. After the system restarts, reconnect your devices the same way you would with a traditional router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect my devices?

Yes. When you save the new password, the router restarts and all devices lose connection. Once the router comes back on, you will see the new network name and can reconnect by typing the new password. This usually takes a few minutes total.

Can I change my WiFi name without changing the password?

Yes. In the admin panel, change only the network name field and leave the password field alone. Save the changes. Your devices will see the new network name but will still connect with the old password. You do not have to reconnect them.

What if I forget the new password I just set?

Go back to the router's admin panel using the IP address and log in with the admin username and password. Find the WiFi settings again and you will see the password displayed there (usually with dots or asterisks hiding it, but some routers show it if you click "show"). You can read it or change it to something you will remember.

Why does my device keep trying to connect with the old password?

Your device has the old network saved in its memory. Go to WiFi settings on that device, find the old network name in the list of saved networks, and select "Forget" or "Remove". Then look for the new network name and connect with the new password.

Can I use the same name and password for my 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks?

Yes. Most routers let you give both bands the same name and password, which is called a unified network. Your devices will automatically pick the best band. Some people prefer separate names so they can manually choose which band to use, but unified is simpler for most homes.