Where your router password is stored

Your router password is usually 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" — it will be a string of letters, numbers, or both. This sticker is placed there by the manufacturer so you can recover the password without calling support.

If the sticker is missing, faded, or you cannot find it, you have three other routes: checking your device's saved networks, logging into the router's admin panel, or resetting the router to factory defaults. Each one works in different situations.

Key Takeaways

  • The WiFi password is almost always printed on a physical sticker on the back or bottom of your router.
  • On Windows or Mac, you can view a saved WiFi password through your network settings without touching the router.
  • If you need to change the password or access router settings, you log in through a web browser using the admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or printed on the same sticker).
  • Resetting the router to factory defaults erases all your settings and returns it to the manufacturer's original password, which is a last resort.
  • Your internet service provider can tell you the password if you cannot find it and do not want to reset the device.

Checking your saved networks on Windows

If you have already connected a Windows computer to the network, Windows stores the password and can show it to you. Right-click the WiFi icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen and select "Open Network and Internet settings." Then click "WiFi" in the left menu, scroll down, and click "Manage known networks."

Find your network name in the list and click it. Select "Forget," then when ready reconnect to the network — Windows will ask you to enter the password again. When you type it in, Windows will show a checkbox that says "Show password." Check that box and the password will appear in plain text. Write it down before you close the window.

Checking your saved networks on Mac

On a Mac, open Keychain Access by pressing Command+Space, typing "keychain," and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network. When it appears in the list, double-click it.

A window will open showing details about the network. Check the box that says "Show password" near the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to enter your computer's login password to confirm. Once you do, the WiFi password will appear in the "Password" field. You can now copy it or write it down.

Logging into your router's admin panel

If you need to change the password or adjust other settings, you log into the router itself through a web browser. Open any browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. One of these addresses will load your router's login page.

You will be asked for a username and password. The default for most routers is username "admin" and password "admin," though some manufacturers use "admin" and "password," or leave the password field blank. Check the sticker on your router — it often lists the default login credentials. If you have changed these credentials before and forgotten them, you will need to reset the router (see below).

Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi," "Wireless," "Network," or "Security." The exact name varies by manufacturer. Inside that section you will find your current WiFi password and an option to change it. You can also usually find the network name (SSID) here.

Resetting your router to factory defaults

If you cannot find the sticker, cannot access your saved networks, and do not remember the admin password, you can reset the router to its original factory state. This erases all your custom settings — including the WiFi password you created — and returns the router to the manufacturer's defaults.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back of the router (usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident). Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold it 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 is back online, the WiFi password will be whatever is printed on the sticker — usually a random string of characters.

After resetting, you will need to set up the router again: connect to the default network, log in with the default credentials, and create a new WiFi password and admin password. This process takes about 10 minutes.

Contacting your internet service provider

Your internet service provider (ISP) — the company you pay for internet service — has a record of your router's default password and can tell you what it is. Call the customer service number on your bill or your ISP's website. Have your account number ready.

The ISP can also sometimes reset the router remotely, though this is less common. If you are renting the router from your ISP rather than owning it, they may have additional options for password recovery that are specific to their equipment.

Preventing password loss in the future

Once you have recovered or reset your password, write it down and store it somewhere find — a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass is ideal because it encrypts the information. Do not store passwords in a text file on your computer or in an email.

You can also take a photo of the sticker on your router and store it in your password manager or a find cloud service. If you change your WiFi password in the future, update your stored copy at the same time so you do not lose track of it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I see multiple networks and do not know which one is mine?

The network name (SSID) is printed on the same sticker as the password. Look for "Network Name" or "SSID" on the label. If you have already connected a device to your network, that device will show a checkmark or "connected" label next to your network name in the available networks list.

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

No. Changing the password requires access to the router's admin panel, which means logging in through a web browser. You can view a password you have already saved on a device, but you cannot change it from the device itself.

Is it safe to use the default password that came with the router?

The default password printed on the sticker is unique to your router model, not shared across all routers of that type, so it is reasonably safe. However, it is a good practice to change it to something you create yourself once you have logged in. This gives you a password only you know.

What happens if I reset the router but still cannot remember the admin password?

After a factory reset, the admin password returns to the default printed on the sticker. If you cannot read the sticker, contact your ISP or the router manufacturer with proof of ownership. They can provide the default credentials for your specific model.

Will resetting the router affect my internet connection?

The reset itself does not disconnect you from the internet permanently, but you will lose internet briefly while the router restarts. After restart, you will need to reconnect your devices to the WiFi network using the default password from the sticker, and you may need to reconfigure any custom settings you had before (port forwarding, guest networks, etc.).