Where to find the settings you need to change

Your WiFi username (called the network name or SSID) and password live in your router's admin panel, not on your computer or phone. You reach this panel by typing your router's IP address into a web browser — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, though some routers use a web address like routerlogin.net instead. Check the sticker on the bottom or back of your router for the exact address.

You will need to be connected to that WiFi network to access the panel. Once you log in with your router's admin username and password (also on the sticker, often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number), you will see a settings menu. The option to change your network name and password is usually labeled Wireless Settings, WiFi Settings, or Network Settings — the exact wording depends on your router brand.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your router's settings by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser while connected to that WiFi network.
  • Log in with the admin username and password printed on your router's sticker, not the WiFi password.
  • Look for a Wireless Settings or WiFi Settings section to change your network name and password.
  • Save your changes and wait 30 seconds to two minutes for the router to restart before reconnecting devices.
  • Write down your new password somewhere safe — you will need it to reconnect every device on your network.

Step-by-step: changing your network name

Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi. Type your router's IP address into the address bar at the top — for most routers this is 192.168.1.1. Press Enter. A login screen will appear asking for a username and password. Enter the admin credentials from your router's sticker (not your WiFi password). Click Log In or Submit.

Once you are logged in, look for a menu item called Wireless Settings, WiFi Settings, or sometimes just Wireless. Click it. You will see a field labeled Network Name, SSID, or Wireless Network Name — this is what you type into your phone or computer when you search for WiFi networks. Delete the current name and type the new one you want. Network names can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols, though keeping it straightforward (letters and numbers only) prevents connection problems on older devices.

Scroll down to find a Save or explore button and click it. Your router will restart, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, all devices will lose WiFi connection. This is normal. Once the lights on your router stop blinking, your new network name will be visible when you search for WiFi networks.

Step-by-step: changing your password

In the same Wireless Settings menu where you changed your network name, look for a field labeled Password, Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or Security Key. This is your WiFi password — the one you type on your phone or computer, not the admin password. Delete the current password and type a new one.

WiFi passwords must be at least 8 characters long. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @) to make it harder to guess. Avoid using your name, address, or obvious words. Write the new password down somewhere safe — a notebook, a password manager, or a note on your phone — because you will need it to reconnect every device on your network and you cannot recover it from the router if you forget it.

Look for Security Type or Encryption while you are in this menu. Make sure it is set to WPA2 or WPA3 (WPA3 is newer and slightly more find). Older options like WEP are not find and should not be used. Once you have set your password and confirmed the security type, click Save or explore. Your router will restart again.

Reconnecting your devices after the change

After your router restarts, every device that was connected to your WiFi will be disconnected. On your phone, tablet, or computer, open the WiFi network list. You will see your new network name. Click on it and enter your new password when prompted. If you typed the password correctly, the device will connect within a few seconds.

Repeat this process for every device on your network — phones, tablets, laptops, smart speakers, security cameras, printers, and anything else that uses WiFi. Some devices (like older smart home gadgets) may not reconnect if they do not support the security type you chose. If a device will not connect after you enter the correct password, check your router's manual or support page to see if it needs WEP or an older security standard, though this is rare on devices made in the last five years.

What to do if you cannot access the router settings

If you type the router's IP address and nothing appears, or if the login screen rejects the admin password on the sticker, try these steps. First, make sure you are connected to that WiFi network — you cannot access the router settings over a different network. Second, try the other common IP address: if 192.168.1.1 does not work, try 192.168.0.1. Third, check whether your router has a web address instead of an IP number — this is printed on the sticker and usually looks like routerlogin.net or myrouter.local.

If the admin password does not work, you may have changed it at some point and forgotten it. The only way to recover access is to reset the router to factory settings. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen. This erases all your settings, including your WiFi network name and password, and returns the router to the defaults printed on the sticker. After a reset, you will need to set up your WiFi name and password again from scratch.

Common mistakes that prevent the changes from working

The most common mistake is entering the WiFi password instead of the admin password at the login screen. These are two different passwords. The WiFi password is what you type on your phone to connect to the network. The admin password is what you type to access the router's settings panel, and it is printed on the sticker on your router. If you see a login screen, use the admin credentials, not the WiFi password.

Another frequent problem is not waiting long enough for the router to restart after saving changes. If you try to reconnect devices while the router is still restarting, the connection will fail. Wait until the lights on the router stop blinking and return to their normal pattern — usually 30 seconds to two minutes — before trying to connect. If you reconnect too soon, wait another minute and try again.

A third issue is typing the password incorrectly when reconnecting devices. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different. If your password is MyPassword123!, typing mypassword123! will not work. Type slowly and double-check before pressing Enter. If a device still will not connect after you have entered the password correctly three times, forget the network on that device and search for it again from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. When you change your password, your router restarts and disconnects all devices. You will lose internet for a few minutes while the router comes back online. Once it restarts, you will need to reconnect each device by entering the new password. Plan the change for a time when losing internet for a few minutes will not disrupt anything important.

What if I forget my new WiFi password after I change it?

You cannot recover a forgotten WiFi password from the router itself. You will need to log back into the router's admin panel (using the admin password) and look at the password field in Wireless Settings — it may be hidden with dots, but some routers show it if you click a "show password" button. If you cannot access the admin panel, your only option is to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your settings.

Do I need to change my network name and password at the same time?

No. You can change one without changing the other. If you only want a new network name, change just that field and save. If you only want a new password, change just the password field. However, changing both at once means you only have to wait for one router restart instead of two.

Will changing my WiFi password affect my internet speed?

No. Your WiFi password and network name do not affect how fast your internet is. Speed depends on your internet plan, your router's hardware, and how far devices are from the router. Changing the password will not make your connection faster or slower.

What should I do if my router does not have a sticker with the admin password?

Check the router's manual or the manufacturer's website — they usually list the default admin username and password there. If you cannot find the manual, try common defaults like "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's model number. If none of these work, you will need to reset the router to factory settings using the reset button on the back.