Access your router's settings page

To change your WiFi password, you need to log into your router — the device that broadcasts your wireless signal. Most routers have a web address you type into any browser on a device connected to that WiFi. The address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself, often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Open a web browser, type that address into the address bar (the same place you'd type a website name), and press Enter.

If you cannot find the address on your router, look for the router's model number on that same sticker and search online for "[model number] default IP address" — this will show you the correct web address to use. Some newer routers also have a mobile app you can read instead, which works the same way but through your phone rather than a browser.

Log in with your router's admin password

When you reach the router's settings page, you will be asked for a username and password. This is not your WiFi password — it is the password to change your WiFi password. The default username is usually "admin" and the default password is often "admin" or "password", but check the sticker on your router first, as manufacturers vary. Type these in and click the login button.

If the default credentials do not work, you may have changed them before and forgotten them. In that case, you will need to reset your router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings and returns it to the defaults printed on the sticker. Most routers have a small reset button you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. After a reset, the default credentials will work again, but you will need to set up your WiFi name and password from scratch.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your router's web address on the sticker attached to the device, then type it into any browser to reach the settings page.
  • Log in using the default username and password printed on that same sticker, not your WiFi password.
  • Look for a section called "Wireless", "WiFi", "Security", or "Network" and find the field labeled "Password", "Passphrase", or "Pre-Shared Key".
  • Change the password to something at least 12 characters long, save the changes, and reconnect your devices using the new password.
  • If you cannot remember your router's admin password, hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds to restore factory defaults.

Find the wireless password setting

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", "Security", or sometimes "Network Settings". Click on it. You should see a section that shows your current WiFi network name (called the SSID) and a field for the password. The password field might be labeled "Password", "Passphrase", "Pre-Shared Key", or "WPA Password" depending on your router brand.

Some routers hide the password behind dots or asterisks for security. Look for a checkbox or eye icon that says "Show Password" or "Reveal" — clicking this will display what you currently have set so you can see it before you change it.

Enter your new password and save

Click in the password field and delete the old password completely. Type in your new password. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @). Avoid using your name, address, or anything that appears in your WiFi network name, as these are easier to guess.

After you type the new password, look for a button labeled "Save", "explore", "OK", or "Submit" — usually at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will save the change and may restart itself, which takes 30 seconds to a minute. During this time, your WiFi will briefly disconnect.

Reconnect your devices to WiFi

Once the router restarts and your WiFi comes back on, you will need to reconnect every device that uses that network. On your phone, tablet, or computer, go to your WiFi settings, find your network name in the list, and select it. When prompted for the password, type in the new password you just created. Repeat this for every device on your network — laptops, phones, tablets, smart speakers, printers, and anything else that connects wirelessly.

If a device remembers the old password and will not let you enter a new one, you may need to "forget" the network first. On most phones and computers, you can do this by going to WiFi settings, finding your network name, and selecting "Forget" or "Remove". Then reconnect as if it were a new network and enter the new password.

What to do if you cannot access the settings page

If typing the router's IP address does not open a login page, try a different web browser — sometimes one browser works when another does not. Make sure you are connected to that WiFi network when you try, not a different one. If you are on a different network entirely, you will not reach the router.

If you still cannot reach the settings page after trying a different browser and confirming you are on the right WiFi, your router may need to be restarted. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait two minutes for it to fully start up, and try again. If none of these steps work, resetting the router to factory defaults (using the reset button) is the most reliable way forward, though it will erase all your settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my WiFi password regularly?

Changing it once a year or whenever someone moves out of your home is reasonable. If you suspect someone has your password and is using your WiFi without permission, change it when ready. Otherwise, a strong password that you set once is usually sufficient.

What is the difference between my WiFi password and my router admin password?

Your WiFi password is what guests and your devices use to connect to the internet. Your router admin password is what you use to log into the settings page to change that WiFi password. They are completely separate, and you should not use the same password for both.

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect me from the internet?

Yes, briefly. The router restarts after you save the change, which takes about a minute. Your WiFi will come back on, but you will need to reconnect each device using the new password before they can use the internet again.

What if I forget the new password I just set?

You can log back into the router settings page using the admin password and view or change the WiFi password again. If you also forget the admin password, reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button, and you will be back to the default credentials printed on the sticker.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

Yes, if your router has a mobile app. read it from your phone's app store, open it, and look for settings or wireless options. The steps are similar to using a web browser. If your router does not have an app, you can still use a phone browser to visit the router's IP address, though the page may be harder to read on a small screen.