How to Change Your WiFi Password and Network Name

Access your router's settings page

To change your WiFi password and network name, you need to log into your router — the device that broadcasts your wireless signal. Most routers have a settings page you reach through a web browser on any device connected to that WiFi.

Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. The most common address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, look on a sticker attached to the bottom or back of your router — it will list the correct address, usually labeled "Default Gateway" or "Router Address".

When the login page appears, enter your router's username and password. These are also printed on the sticker on your router and are different from your WiFi password. The default username is often admin and the default password is often admin or password, but check your specific router's sticker to be sure.

Key Takeaways

You reach your router settings by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser, then logging in with the username and password on the router's sticker.
The network name (SSID) and WiFi password are separate from your router login credentials and are what your devices use to connect.
After you change either setting, all your devices will lose connection and must reconnect using the new name or password.
Write down your new password before you save changes, because you will need it to reconnect every device in your home.

Find the wireless settings section

Once you are logged into your router, look for a section labeled Wireless, WiFi, or Wireless Settings. Different router brands organize this differently — some put it in a left-side menu, others in tabs across the top. If you cannot find it when ready, look for a menu item that says Settings or Advanced and check inside.

You may see options for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. These are two separate signals your router can broadcast at the same time. You can change the name and password for each one independently, or give them the same name so your devices automatically pick the faster signal. For most homes, keeping them the same name is simpler.

Change your network name (SSID)

In the wireless settings section, find the field labeled Network Name, SSID, or Wireless Network Name. This is the name that appears when you look for WiFi networks on your phone or computer. Clear the current name and type a new one.

Choose a name that is straightforward for you to recognize and remember, but does not broadcast personal information. For example, "HomeNetwork" is better than "John's House" or your address. The name can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, and spaces.

If your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz sections and you want to change both, repeat this step in each section. If you give them different names, your devices will show two networks to choose from; if you give them the same name, your devices will automatically switch between them based on signal strength.

Change your WiFi password

Look for a field labeled Password, Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. This is the password your devices will need to enter to connect to your WiFi. Clear the current password and type a new one.

Make your password at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #). A longer, random password is harder to guess than a straightforward one. Write it down somewhere safe before you save — you will need it to reconnect every device in your home, and if you forget it, you will have to reset your router to factory settings.

Check that your router's security setting is set to WPA2 or WPA3, not the older WEP or Open. WPA2 and WPA3 encrypt your connection so others cannot intercept your data. This setting is usually near the password field.

Save your changes and reconnect your devices

Look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the wireless settings section. Click it. Your router will restart, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, your WiFi will disappear from the list of available networks.

Once the restart is complete, your new network name will appear in the list of available WiFi networks. On each device — phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV — forget the old network name and connect to the new one using your new password. On most devices, you do this by going to WiFi settings, selecting your network name, and choosing "Forget" or "Remove", then reconnecting and entering the new password.

Devices that were set to connect automatically to your old network will not reconnect until you manually enter the new password. This includes smart home devices, printers, and security cameras. If you have many devices, change them one at a time so you know which ones are working.

What to do if you cannot log into your router

If the default username and password on your router's sticker do not work, you may have changed them before and forgotten them. Try common combinations like admin/admin, admin/password, or the router brand name as both username and password.

If none of these work, you can reset your router to factory settings. Look for a small Reset button on the back or bottom of the router, usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pen to press it. Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to its default username and password. This will erase any changes you made, including your current WiFi password, so you will need to set everything up again from the beginning.

Troubleshooting connection problems after the change

If a device cannot find your new network name, make sure you typed the name correctly in the router settings — network names are case-sensitive, meaning "HomeNetwork" is different from "homenetwork". Also check that you saved the changes before the router restarted.

If a device finds the network but will not connect, double-check that you are entering the new password correctly. Passwords are also case-sensitive and spaces count. If you are still stuck, forget the network on that device and try connecting again from scratch. If the device still will not connect after multiple attempts, restart both the device and the router by powering them off for 30 seconds, then powering them back on.

If your internet stops working entirely after the change, your router may not have saved the settings properly. Log back into the router settings page using the same IP address and check that your new network name and password are still there. If they have reverted to the old ones, try saving again. If the settings page will not load at all, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password regularly?

There is no set rule, but changing your WiFi password once or twice a year is reasonable if you want to prevent old guests or former household members from accessing your network. If you suspect someone has your password, change it when ready. You do not need to change it more often than that unless you have security concerns.

What happens to devices that are not home when I change the password?

Devices that are away from home will lose their connection the next time they try to use WiFi. When they come back into range, they will not automatically reconnect because the password has changed. You will need to manually reconnect each one by entering the new password in its WiFi settings.

Can I change just the password without changing the network name?

Yes. In the wireless settings section, change only the password field and leave the network name as it is. Save the changes and your router will restart. Devices will see the same network name but will need the new password to connect.

Will changing my WiFi password affect my internet speed?

No. Your WiFi password only controls who can connect to your network — it does not affect how fast your internet is. Speed depends on your internet service provider's plan and the distance between your devices and the router.

What if I forgot my new password after I saved it?

Log back into your router settings using the IP address and router login credentials. Go to the wireless settings section and you will see your current WiFi password displayed there (though it may be hidden as dots). Write it down, or reset the router to factory settings if you want to start over with a new password.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.