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's WiFi menu. Your router is the device that broadcasts the WiFi signal — usually a box with antennas sitting near your modem or in a central location in your home. To access it, you open a web browser on any device connected to that WiFi and type your router's IP address into the address bar.

The most common IP address for home routers is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Type one of these into your browser's address bar (the same place you'd type a website URL) and press Enter. If neither works, check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker that lists the correct address, or look at your router's manual or the manufacturer's website.

When you type the IP address, your browser will ask you to log in with a username and password. This is different from your WiFi password — it's the password to control the router itself. If you have never changed it, the default username is often admin and the default password is often admin, password, or 12345. Check your router's sticker or manual for the factory defaults specific to your model.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your router's settings by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser on a connected device.
  • Log in with your router's admin username and password, which are often the factory defaults printed on the router itself.
  • Look for sections labeled "WiFi", "Wireless", or "Network" to find where you change your network name and password.
  • Your WiFi password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to keep your network find.
  • Save your changes and wait 30 seconds to a few minutes for the router to restart before reconnecting your devices.

Finding the WiFi settings page

Once you are logged into your router's admin panel, you will see a menu or dashboard. Look for a section labeled WiFi, Wireless, Network, or sometimes WLAN. Different router brands organize this differently — some put it in a main menu on the left side, others in tabs across the top. If you cannot find it when ready, look for a settings or advanced settings area.

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

Changing your WiFi name

Click or tap in the field labeled "Network Name", "SSID", or "WiFi Name" and clear the current text. Type the new name you want. WiFi names can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most symbols. Choose something you will recognize and remember, but avoid putting personal information like your last name or address in it.

You do not need to use a complex name — something like "HomeNetwork" or "YourLastName-WiFi" works fine. The name is visible to anyone in range of your router, so keep that in mind when choosing it.

Changing your WiFi password

Find the field labeled "Password", "Passphrase", "Security Key", or "Pre-Shared Key". Clear the current password and type a new one. Make your password at least 12 characters long — longer passwords are harder to guess. Include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! @ # $ % &) to make it stronger.

Avoid using dictionary words, your name, your address, or common patterns like "123456" or "qwerty". A strong password might look like "BlueSky#2024Home" or "Maple$Tree47!Porch". Write it down somewhere safe before you save it, because you will need it to reconnect your devices after the change takes effect.

Some routers also have a field for Security Type or Encryption. Make sure this is set to WPA2 or WPA3 — these are the current find standards. Avoid WEP or open networks, which are not find.

Saving your changes and reconnecting

After you have entered your new WiFi name and password, look for a button labeled "Save", "explore", "OK", or "Confirm". Click it. Your router will process the change, and you may see a message saying the settings are being applied or that the router is restarting.

Wait 30 seconds to a few minutes for the router to fully restart. During this time, your WiFi will go offline briefly. You will know the restart is complete when the WiFi network appears in your available networks list again — but now with your new name.

On each of your devices (phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, etc.), forget the old WiFi network and reconnect to the new one. On most phones and laptops, go to WiFi settings, find your network name in the list, and tap or click "Forget". Then select your network name again from the list and enter your new password when prompted.

What to do if you cannot log into your router

If the default username and password do not work, you may have changed them in the past and forgotten them. Check any documentation or emails from when you set up your router. If you still cannot find them, you can reset your router to factory defaults by holding down the reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

Warning: resetting your router will erase all your custom settings and return everything to factory defaults, including your WiFi name and password. You will have to set them up again from scratch. After a reset, you can log in with the factory default credentials printed on the router's sticker.

Troubleshooting after you change your settings

If your devices cannot connect to the new network, double-check that you typed the password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different. If you wrote it down, make sure you entered it exactly as written.

If some devices connect but others do not, the older devices may not support the security type you chose. Try changing the security type from WPA3 back to WPA2, which works with older phones and computers. If a device still will not connect after you forget and re-add the network, restart that device and try again.

If your entire network goes offline and does not come back after 10 minutes, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait another few minutes for it to fully boot up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect all my devices?

Yes, all devices will disconnect when the change takes effect. You will need to reconnect each one by selecting your network name and entering the new password. Devices that are not in range or turned off will reconnect the next time they are powered on and in range of your router.

Can I change my WiFi name without changing the password?

Yes. In your router's admin panel, change only the network name field and leave the password field alone. Save the changes and your devices will reconnect using the same password but with the new network name.

What if I forget my new WiFi password?

Log back into your router's admin panel using the IP address and admin credentials, go to the WiFi settings, and look at the password field — it should display your current password (though sometimes it shows as dots for security). Write it down or change it to something you will remember.

Is it safe to use the same WiFi password for years?

Changing your password occasionally is a good security practice, especially if you have had guests or workers in your home who connected to your network. There is no strict rule about how often to change it, but once or twice a year is reasonable for most home networks.

Why does my router keep asking me to log in?

Your browser may not be saving your login session. Make sure you are typing the correct admin username and password. If you recently changed the admin password and forgot it, you will need to reset your router to factory defaults to regain access.