Where your router password is stored

Your router password is most likely written on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device itself. Look for a label that says "WiFi Password," "Network Key," "PSK," or sometimes just "Password" — it may be printed next to the network name (SSID). This is the easiest place to check first, and many people find what they need without going further.

If the sticker is missing, worn away, or the password has been changed since installation, you have three other routes: checking your router's settings through a web browser, using your internet service provider's account, or resetting the router to factory defaults.

Key Takeaways

  • The original password is usually printed on a sticker attached to the back or bottom of your router.
  • You can log into your router's settings page through a web browser if you know the admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the serial number).
  • Your internet service provider's account portal may show your WiFi password if you set it up through them.
  • Resetting your router to factory defaults will restore the original password but will erase any custom settings you have made.
  • The password you need to connect devices is different from the admin password used to change router settings.

Logging into your router's settings page

If you know the admin password for your router, you can view the WiFi password through the settings page. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's manual or the sticker on the device to be sure. You will be asked for a username and password.

The default admin username is almost always admin. The default password is often admin as well, though some routers use the serial number (found on the sticker) or a blank password. If none of these work, search online for "[your router model] default password" — for example, "TP-Link Archer C7 default password." Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled "Wireless," "WiFi," "Network," or "Security" to find your current WiFi password displayed on the screen.

Checking your internet service provider's account

If your internet service provider (ISP) set up your router or manages it as part of your service, they may have a record of your WiFi password in your account. Log into your ISP's customer portal or app — Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, AT&T, Charter Spectrum, and others all offer online account access. Look for a section called "WiFi," "Network," "Internet," or "My Services."

Some ISPs display the password directly; others require you to call customer service to confirm your identity before they will share it. This route is useful if you have changed the password since setup and do not remember the admin login, because the ISP's records may show what you set it to.

Resetting your router to factory defaults

If you cannot find the password any other way, you can reset the router to its original factory settings. This will restore the password printed on the sticker, but it will also erase any custom changes you have made — including the network name, security type, and any port forwarding or parental controls you set up.

To reset, locate the small reset button (usually recessed into the device) on the back or bottom of the router. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it comes back online, the WiFi password will be the one printed on the sticker. You will need to reconfigure any custom settings afterward.

The difference between WiFi password and admin password

These are two separate passwords, and confusion between them is common. The WiFi password (also called the network key or PSK) is what you type into your phone, laptop, or other device to connect to the internet. The admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page to change things like the network name or security type.

You need the WiFi password to use the internet. You need the admin password only if you want to change how the router works. If you have forgotten the WiFi password but remember the admin password, you can log in and view or change the WiFi password from the settings page. If you have forgotten both, resetting to factory defaults will restore both to their original state.

What to do if your router does not have a sticker

Older routers or routers that have been in use for years sometimes have worn or missing stickers. If the label is gone, search online for your router model number (printed on the device) plus "default password." Most manufacturers publish this information, and you can use it to log into the settings page.

If you cannot find the model number or the default password online, contact your ISP or the router manufacturer directly. They can confirm the original password or walk you through a reset. Keep your router's serial number handy when you call — they may ask for it to verify ownership.

Keeping your router password find going forward

Once you have found or reset your password, consider changing it to something you will remember. Avoid using the default password long-term, because anyone with the same router model can look it up online. Write your new password down in a find place — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a document you keep in a safe location.

If you change your WiFi password, you will need to reconnect all your devices (phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers) to the network using the new password. This takes a few minutes per device but is worth doing if you are concerned about who might know the original password.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I reset my router and still do not know the password?

After a factory reset, the password will be the one printed on the sticker on your router. If that sticker is missing or unreadable, search online for your router model number plus "default password," or contact your ISP or the router manufacturer with your serial number.

Can I see my WiFi password on my phone or computer if I am already connected?

On Windows, you can right-click the WiFi icon in the system tray, select "Open Network & Internet Settings," then "Manage WiFi Connections," find your network, and click "Properties" to reveal the password. On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, and check "Show Password." On phones, this is usually not possible without resetting the network settings.

Is it safe to write down my router password?

Writing it down and storing it in a find place — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager — is safer than using a password you will forget and then reset repeatedly. The main risk is someone in your home finding the written password, so keep it somewhere private.

What if I changed my WiFi password and now cannot remember it?

If you know the admin password, log into the router settings page and view or change the WiFi password from there. If you do not know the admin password either, your only option is a factory reset, which will restore both passwords to their defaults.

Do I need to change my password if I just found it on the sticker?

Not when ready, but changing it is a good idea if the router has been in your home for years or if many people know the default password. A custom password that only you know is more find than a default one anyone can look up online.