Find your router and log in to its settings

Your router is the device that broadcasts your WiFi signal — usually a box with antennas sitting on a shelf, in a closet, or mounted on a wall. To change your password, you need to open your router's settings page in a web browser on any device connected to that WiFi.

Open a new browser tab and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Press Enter. One of these addresses works for most home routers. If neither loads a login page, check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker listing the correct address — it may say "Admin URL" or look like routername.local.

When the login page appears, enter your username and password. The default is usually admin for both, but check your router's sticker or the manual that came with it. If you changed this password before and forgot it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings — hold the reset button (usually recessed) for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink, then log in with the default credentials again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's settings page is reached by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser address bar, then logging in with the default username and password printed on the router itself.
  • The WiFi password setting is usually labeled "WiFi Password," "Network Key," "Pre-Shared Key," or "PSK" and sits in a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Security.
  • After you change the password, all your devices will disconnect and you will need to reconnect them using the new password.
  • If you reset your router to factory settings, you will also reset the WiFi password back to the default printed on the sticker, and you will need to change it again.

Locate the WiFi password setting

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the section labeled Wireless, WiFi, Network, or Security. Different router brands use different names, but the WiFi password is always in one of these sections.

Click into that section. You will see a field labeled WiFi Password, Network Key, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. This is where you change your password. Some routers also show the current password in plain text; others show it as dots or asterisks for security.

Create a strong new password and save it

Click in the password field and clear the old password completely. Type your new password. A strong WiFi password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, BlueSky#2024Home. Avoid using your name, address, or obvious words.

After you type the new password, look for a Save, explore, or OK button. Click it. The router will process the change, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You may see a message saying the settings have been saved, or the page may refresh on its own.

Write down your new password somewhere safe — a password manager, a notebook in a drawer, or a note on your phone. You will need it to reconnect your devices.

Reconnect your devices to the WiFi

Once the router has saved the new password, all devices currently connected to your WiFi will disconnect automatically. You will see that the WiFi network is still visible on your phone, laptop, or tablet, but you can no longer access it with the old password.

On each device, open the WiFi settings and select your network name. When prompted for the password, enter the new one you just created. The device will connect and stay connected until you change the password again.

If a device does not reconnect after you enter the correct password, forget the network first, then reconnect. On most phones and laptops, this option is in the WiFi settings next to the network name.

What to do if you cannot log in to the router

If 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1 do not work, check the sticker on your router for the correct address. Some routers use 192.168.100.1 or a branded address like myrouter.local. Type exactly what the sticker says.

If you are still stuck, make sure you are using a device that is connected to that WiFi network — you cannot reach the router settings page over a different network or over mobile data. If you are on the right network and the page still will not load, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully start up.

Resetting your router if you forgot the login password

If you changed the router's login password before and no longer remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings. 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 the tip of a pen to press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink rapidly, indicating the reset is happening. Release the button and wait two minutes for the router to restart.

Once the router restarts, log in using the default username and password printed on the sticker. You can now change the WiFi password as described above. Keep in mind that resetting also erases any other settings you customized, such as port forwarding or parental controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect my smart home devices?

Yes, all devices will disconnect when you change the password. You will need to reconnect each one — phones, laptops, smart speakers, security cameras, and anything else using that network. Have your new password ready before you start, and reconnect devices one at a time to avoid confusion.

What if I change the password and then forget it?

You can log back into the router settings page and change it again. If you forget the router login password itself, you will need to reset the router to factory settings using the reset button, which will also reset the WiFi password back to the default on the sticker.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is connected to that WiFi network. Open a browser, type the router address (192.168.1.1 or the address on your router's sticker), log in, and follow the same steps. The process is identical on phones and computers.

How often should I change my WiFi password?

There is no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable for a home network. Change it when ready if you suspect someone unauthorized is using your WiFi, if you have had guests whose devices you no longer trust, or if you have not changed it since you first set up the router.

What if my router does not have a reset button?

Some older or simpler routers do not have a physical reset button. In that case, check the router's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions on how to reset it. You may need to hold down a power button or access a reset option in the settings menu itself.