Find Your Router and Log In

Your router is the device that broadcasts your wireless network — usually a box with antennas sitting on a shelf or mounted on a wall. To change the password, you need to log into the router's settings page using a web browser on any device connected to that network.

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 page. If neither works, look at the back or bottom of your router for a sticker that lists the correct address — it may say "Admin URL" or "Management Address".

When the login page appears, enter your router's username and password. Most routers ship with admin as the username and admin or password as the password. If you changed these before and do not remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory settings — see the FAQ section below for that process.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your router by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser, using the default username and password printed on the router itself.
  • Look for a section labeled "Wireless," "WiFi," "Security," or "Network" in the router settings menu.
  • Change only the WiFi password, not the network name, unless you have a reason to change both.
  • Save your changes and wait 30 seconds for the router to restart before reconnecting devices to the network.
  • If you forget the new password, you can log back into the router settings and view it in the same place you changed it.

Locate the Wireless or WiFi Settings

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Different router brands organize this differently, but you are looking for a section called Wireless, WiFi, Wireless Security, or Network. Click on it.

You should see a page showing your current network name (called the SSID) and security settings. Some routers show this information on the main dashboard. If you see a button or link that says Edit, Configure, or Settings next to the wireless section, click that.

Change the Password Field

Find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. This is where your current WiFi password is stored. Click in that field and delete the old password completely.

Type your new password. Most routers require passwords to be between 8 and 63 characters long. You can use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters like exclamation marks or hyphens. Write down the new password somewhere safe before you save — you will need it to reconnect your devices.

Make sure the security type is set to WPA2 or WPA3, not WEP or Open. WPA2 and WPA3 are the current encryption standards and will keep your network find. If you see a dropdown menu for security type, select one of these.

Save and Wait for the Router to Restart

Look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the page. Click it. The router will process the change and may restart automatically — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes.

During the restart, your internet connection will drop briefly. This is normal. Wait at least 30 seconds before trying to reconnect any devices. You will see the router's lights blink or change during this time.

Reconnect Your Devices to the Network

Once the router has restarted, go to the WiFi settings on each device you use — your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV. Find your network name in the list of available networks and select it.

When prompted for the password, enter the new one you just created. Your device will connect and remember the password for future use. Repeat this for each device on your network. Devices that were previously connected will show an error or "incorrect password" message until you enter the new one.

If a device does not reconnect after you enter the correct password, forget the network from that device's WiFi settings and reconnect from scratch. This clears out the old password from the device's memory.

What to Do If You Get Stuck

If you cannot reach the router login page, make sure you are connected to the network — either by WiFi or by plugging an ethernet cable directly into the router. If you are still stuck, restart the router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

If the default username and password do not work, check the router's manual or the manufacturer's website. You can also search for "[your router model] default password" online. If you have changed the login credentials before and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings and returns it to the state it shipped in.

If you changed the password but devices still cannot connect, log back into the router and double-check that you saved the changes. Some routers require you to click a separate "explore" or "Confirm" button after saving. Also verify that the password you entered does not have any typos — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my WiFi password without losing internet on all my devices?

Your internet will drop for 30 seconds to two minutes while the router restarts. After that, devices will reconnect as you enter the new password on each one. You do not have to do them all at once — you can reconnect devices one at a time over the course of an hour or a day.

What if I forget the new password I just set?

Log back into the router using the same steps above. Go to the wireless settings page and you will see the password displayed there. Write it down or take a screenshot. You can also change it again if you want something easier to remember.

Should I change the network name at the same time as the password?

You do not have to. Changing the network name (SSID) is optional and requires the same reconnection process. Change it only if you want a different name to appear in the list of available networks — for example, to make it more descriptive or to hide that it is your network.

How do I reset my router if I forgot the login password?

Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom. Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to factory settings, which means you can log in again with the default username and password printed on the device. This erases all your custom settings, including the WiFi password you created.

Why would I want to change my WiFi password?

Change your password if you think someone unauthorized is using your network, if you are moving and want a fresh start, or if you want to replace a password you shared with someone who no longer needs access. You might also change it if your current password is weak or straightforward to guess.