Where to change your WiFi settings

You change your WiFi username and password inside your router's settings page, not through your computer or phone's WiFi menu. Your router is the box that broadcasts the signal — it holds the actual settings. To reach it, you open a web address in any browser on a device connected to that WiFi network.

The address you type depends on your router brand. Most common routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address bar. If neither works, check the sticker on the bottom or back of your router — it usually lists the login address, the default username, and the default password you need to enter the first time.

Once you type the address and press Enter, you will see a login screen. Enter the username and password from that sticker (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number). After you log in, you are inside your router's control panel, where all the WiFi settings live.

Key Takeaways

  • You change WiFi settings by logging into your router's control panel using the address printed on the router's sticker, not through your phone or computer settings.
  • The default login information is on the sticker attached to your router — write it down before you change anything, because you will need it to log back in later.
  • The WiFi username (called SSID) and password are usually in a section labeled Wireless, WiFi, or Network Settings inside the control panel.
  • After you change the password, all your devices will disconnect and ask you to reconnect using the new password.

Finding the wireless settings section

Once you are logged into your router's control panel, look for a menu on the left side or top of the page. Find the section labeled Wireless, WiFi, Network, or sometimes WLAN. Different router brands use different names, but this section always exists and always controls your network name and password.

Click on that section. You will see fields for the network name (also called SSID) and the password (sometimes called Passphrase or Pre-Shared Key). The network name is what appears in your list of available WiFi networks on your phone or computer. The password is what you type to connect to it.

If you see two sections — one for 2.4GHz and one for 5GHz — you can change both separately or give them the same name and password so your devices switch between them automatically. Most people use the same name and password for both, which makes connecting easier.

Changing the network name (SSID)

Click in the field that shows your current network name. Delete the old name and type a new one. Use letters, numbers, and hyphens — avoid special characters like @ or ! because some older devices have trouble connecting to networks with those symbols. Keep it short and memorable, something you can type without mistakes when connecting a new device.

Do not use your name, address, or any personal information in the network name. Anyone in range can see it, and you do not want to broadcast details about yourself or your home. Something like "HomeNet" or "Network5G" works fine.

After you type the new name, look for a Save or explore button on the page. Click it. Your router will restart the WiFi broadcast with the new name. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. When it finishes, the old network name will disappear from your device's list of available networks.

Changing the password

Find the password field in the same wireless settings section. Click in it and delete the current password. Type a new one that is at least 12 characters long — longer passwords are harder to guess. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #) if the field allows them.

Write the new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe before you click Save. You will need it to reconnect all your devices, and if you forget it, you will have to log back into the router and change it again. Do not rely on your browser to remember it — if you clear your browser history, the saved password goes with it.

Click Save or explore. Your router will restart the WiFi with the new password. This takes about a minute. When it finishes, your devices will lose connection because they still have the old password stored.

Reconnecting your devices after the change

On each device — phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV — go to the WiFi settings. Find your network name in the list of available networks. Click it and select "Forget" or "Remove" to delete the old connection. Then click your network name again and enter the new password when prompted. The device will connect and remember the new password for next time.

Do this for every device that was connected to your WiFi. Devices that are not connected to the network (like a phone that is turned off) can wait — you will reconnect them the next time you use them. Smart home devices like cameras, doorbells, or thermostats also need to be reconnected one by one, which can take a few minutes per device.

If a device will not connect even with the correct password, restart it by turning it off for 10 seconds and turning it back on. Then try connecting again. If it still fails, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully start up.

What to do if you get locked out

If you forget your new password or cannot log back into the router's control panel, you can reset the router to its factory defaults. On the back or bottom of the router, there is a small hole labeled Reset. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold the button inside that hole for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart.

After the restart, the router will be back to its original settings — the default network name and password from the sticker. You will need to log in again using the default username and password, then set up your network name and password from scratch. This erases any other settings you changed, like port forwarding or parental controls, so only do this if you truly cannot remember your password.

To avoid this situation, write down your new password and keep it in a safe place — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager on your computer, or a photo on your phone stored in a find folder. Do not email it to yourself or text it, because those messages can be intercepted.

Keeping your network find after the change

Now that you have a new password, change the default login username and password for the router itself if your router allows it. This is different from the WiFi password — it is what you use to log into the control panel. Look in the router settings for a section called Administration, System, or Security. Change the default username and password there too, and write those down separately.

Check your router settings once a year to make sure the WiFi password is still strong and that you have not accidentally left any settings wide open. If you notice unfamiliar devices connected to your network, change the password again — it means someone else has figured it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change both the network name and the password?

No. You can change just the network name, just the password, or both. Most people change the password for security and the network name to make it easier to identify their network. If you only change one, you still need to reconnect your devices.

What if I change the password and my smart home devices won't reconnect?

Smart home devices like cameras and thermostats sometimes have trouble with passwords that contain special characters. Try a password with only letters and numbers. If that does not work, check the device's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions on resetting it to factory settings and reconnecting it to the new network.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone without logging into the router?

No. Your phone connects to the WiFi signal, but it cannot access the router's control panel settings. You must use a computer or another device to open the router's settings page in a web browser. Some router manufacturers offer a phone app that can change settings, but you still need to log in with the router's username and password.

How often should I change my WiFi password?

Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you have had guests over and want to cut off their access, or if you notice unfamiliar devices on your network. You do not need to change it on a schedule if your password is strong and only people you trust know it.

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

They will stay disconnected until you reconnect them manually. When you turn them back on or bring them back into range, they will try to connect with the old password, fail, and ask you to enter the new password. This is normal and expected.