Where to look first: the sticker on your router

Your router password is most often printed on a sticker attached to the back or bottom of the device itself. Look for a label that says "WiFi Password," "Network Key," "PSK," or sometimes just "Password." The sticker usually also shows your network name (SSID) right above it. This is the fastest way to recover your password if you have physical access to the router.

If the sticker is there but the text has faded or worn away, try shining a flashlight at an angle across the label — sometimes the indentation from the printing is still readable even when the ink has faded. If the sticker is completely gone or the router is in a location you cannot easily reach, move to the next method.

Key Takeaways

  • The WiFi password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router, and this is the fastest place to check first.
  • If you can still log into your router's admin panel from a connected device, you can view or change the password through the settings menu.
  • Your internet service provider can tell you the password over the phone if you can verify your account, though this may take a phone call.
  • Resetting the router to factory settings will erase all your settings and require you to set up the network from scratch, so use this only as a last resort.
  • The router's default admin password (used to access settings) is different from your WiFi password, and you may need both depending on what you are trying to do.

Log into your router's settings if you are already connected

If you are already connected to the WiFi on a phone, tablet, or computer, you can view the password through the router's admin panel without needing to know it first. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these is the standard address for most home routers. You may also try routerlogin.net or check the bottom of your router for the exact address.

When the login page appears, enter the admin username and password. For most routers, this is admin for both username and password, though some manufacturers use different defaults. If the standard credentials do not work, check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for the default login. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Wireless," "WiFi," "Network," or "Security" — the exact name varies by brand. Your WiFi password should be listed there, and you can view it or change it to something you will remember.

Call your internet service provider to confirm the password

Your internet service provider (ISP) — the company that provides your internet connection — has a record of the WiFi password they set when they installed your router. Call the customer service number on your bill or on the provider's website. Be ready to verify your account by providing your account number, the phone number associated with the account, or the address where the service is installed.

The ISP can tell you the current password over the phone, though some providers will only do this if you are the account holder. If you are not the account holder but live in the home, ask the account holder to make the call or to authorize the provider to speak with you. This method works even if you are not currently connected to the WiFi, but it does require a phone call during business hours.

Reset the router to factory settings as a last resort

If you cannot find the password any other way, you can reset the router to its original factory state. This erases all your settings — including your WiFi password, network name, and any custom configurations — and returns the router to the state it was in when it left the factory. After a reset, you will need to set up the network again from scratch, which takes 15 to 30 minutes.

To reset, locate the small reset button (usually recessed into the case) on the back or bottom of the router. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will flash, and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, the WiFi network will broadcast with the router's default name (often something like "TP-Link-1234" or "Netgear-5G"), and you can connect using the default password printed on the sticker. You will then need to log into the admin panel and set up your network name and password again.

Understand the difference between WiFi password and admin password

Your WiFi password is what you type into your phone or computer to connect to the internet. Your admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings to change configurations. These are two separate passwords, and you may need to recover either one depending on what you are trying to do.

If you need to change your WiFi password or view your network settings, you need the admin password. If you just need to connect a new device to the internet, you need the WiFi password. The admin password is also usually printed on the router's sticker, often labeled as "Admin Password" or "Default Password." If you have forgotten the admin password and cannot find it on the sticker, the only way to regain access is to reset the router to factory settings.

Check your device's saved network history

Many phones and computers store the WiFi password once you have connected to a network. On a Windows computer, right-click the WiFi icon in the system tray, select "Open Network & Internet Settings," then click "WiFi" and "Manage Known Networks." Find your network name, click it, and select "Properties." Scroll down to "Security" and toggle "Show" next to the password field — the password will appear in plain text.

On a Mac, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), find your network name in the list, double-click it, and check the "Show password" box. You will need to enter your Mac login password to reveal it. On Android, the process is more limited — most Android versions do not display saved passwords for security reasons, but you can view it through the router's admin panel if you are connected. On iPhone or iPad, you cannot view a saved password directly, but you can forget the network and reconnect if someone else knows the password, or use one of the other methods above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default WiFi password if I just got a new router?

The default password is printed on the sticker attached to your router. It is usually a random string of letters and numbers, not something straightforward like "password" or "12345." If the sticker is missing or illegible, contact your internet service provider or the router manufacturer for the default credentials.

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

On Android, you can view it through the router's admin panel by connecting to 192.168.1.1 from your phone's browser. On iPhone, you cannot view saved passwords directly through settings, but you can ask Siri to show you the password if you are on iOS 16 or later — say "Hey Siri, what is my WiFi password?" and it will display it if you are connected to that network.

Do I need to reset my router if I just forgot the password?

No. Resetting should be your last option because it erases all your settings. Try the sticker first, then log into the admin panel from a connected device, then call your ISP. Reset only if none of those work.

Will resetting my router affect my internet connection?

Resetting returns the router to factory settings but does not affect your internet service itself. Your ISP connection will still work — you will just need to set up the WiFi network name and password again after the reset completes.

What if my router is in a locked cabinet or hard-to-reach place?

Call your ISP or log in from a connected device instead of trying to access the physical sticker. Both methods work without needing to reach the router itself. If you cannot do either, ask whoever installed the router or manages it to help you.