Find Your Router's Admin Page First

To change your wireless network password, you need to log into your router's settings page. This is a web page built into your router that controls everything about your network — you reach it by typing an address into any web browser on a device connected to your WiFi.

Open a browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. One of these will load your router's login screen. If neither works, check the bottom or back of your router for a sticker that lists the correct address — it often looks like "routerlogin.net" or a similar web address specific to your router brand.

You will see a login screen asking for a username and password. These are different from your WiFi password — they control access to the router itself. Most routers ship with a default username like "admin" and a default password like "admin" or "password". Check your router's sticker or the manual that came with it. If you changed these credentials before and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.

Log In and Find the Wireless Settings

After you enter the correct username and password, you will see your router's main settings page. The layout varies by brand — some show a dashboard with icons, others show a menu on the left side. Look for a section labeled Wireless, WiFi, Network, or Security.

Click into that section. You should see a field labeled Wireless Password, Pre-Shared Key, PSK, or Passphrase. This is where your current WiFi password lives. Some routers also show the password in a separate field called SSID (the name of your network) and Security Type (usually WPA2 or WPA3, which are encryption standards).

Key Takeaways

  • Access your router's settings by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser, or check your router's sticker for the correct address.
  • Log in with the default username and password printed on your router, not your WiFi password.
  • Navigate to the Wireless or WiFi section and find the field labeled Wireless Password, Pre-Shared Key, or Passphrase.
  • Create a new password at least 12 characters long, save the changes, and reconnect your devices using the new password.
  • If you cannot remember your router login credentials, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all custom settings.

Create and Save Your New Password

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

After you type the new password, look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK. Click it. Your router will process the change, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. The page may refresh or show a confirmation message. Do not close the browser or unplug the router during this time.

Your router will disconnect all devices from WiFi while it applies the change. This is normal. After the change completes, your old password will no longer work.

Reconnect Your Devices to WiFi

On each device that was connected to your WiFi — phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers — you will see your network name appear in the available networks list, but it will no longer connect automatically. Click on your network name, select "Forget" or "Remove" if the option appears, then click it again and enter your new password.

Devices like smart home speakers, printers, or security cameras may take longer to reconnect or may need to be set up again through their own apps. Start with your phone or laptop first to confirm the new password works, then move to other devices.

What to Do If You Cannot Access the Router Page

If 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1 do not load, your router may use a different address. Check the sticker on the back or bottom of the router — it will list the correct web address. You can also try typing your router's brand name followed by ".local" — for example, "netgear.local" or "linksys.local".

If you still cannot reach the page, make sure you are connected to your WiFi network. If you are on a different network (like a phone using cellular data), you will not reach the router. Also check that you typed the address correctly — it should be in the address bar at the top of the browser, not in a search box.

If the login page loads but you cannot remember the username and password, you will need to reset your router. Hold down the small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen. This erases all settings and returns the router to factory defaults, including the default username and password. You will then need to set up your network name and password again from scratch.

Routers with Mobile Apps

Some newer routers — particularly from brands like Eero, Google Nest, and Ubiquiti — do not use a web page at all. Instead, you change settings through a mobile app. Open the app, look for a section labeled WiFi Settings, Network, or Security, and find the password field. The process is the same: clear the old password, type the new one, and save. The app will handle reconnecting your devices.

If you have a mesh WiFi system (multiple devices that work together to cover your whole home), the app usually controls all of them at once. Changing the password in the app changes it for every device in the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my WiFi password?

There is no set rule. Change it if you suspect someone unauthorized is using your network, if you have guests who no longer need access, or if you have not changed it in over a year. For most home networks, once a year is reasonable.

What if I change the password and 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". Forget the network on your device and reconnect, entering the password again. If one device still will not connect after you have tried twice, restart that device and try again.

Can I change my WiFi password without losing internet?

Your internet will stay on during the change, but all your devices will disconnect from WiFi temporarily while the router applies the new password. You will need to reconnect each device manually afterward. Devices connected by ethernet cable will not be affected.

What if I forgot the password I just set?

Log back into your router's settings page using the same address and login credentials. Go to the Wireless or WiFi section and you will see your current password displayed there. Write it down somewhere safe this time.

Is it safe to use the same password for my router login and my WiFi password?

No. Your router login controls access to all your network settings, while your WiFi password only controls who can connect to the internet. Keep them different so that if someone guesses your WiFi password, they cannot change your router settings.