Where to find your WiFi password

Your WiFi password is printed on a sticker attached to your router itself — usually on the bottom, back, or side. Look for a label that says "Network Name" or "SSID" (the name of your WiFi) and "Network Key" or "Password" or "Passphrase" next to it. The password is typically a string of letters, numbers, and symbols that looks random.

If the sticker is missing, faded, or you cannot find it, you can reset the password through your router's settings page. This requires logging into the router with its admin username and password — which is different from your WiFi password and is also usually on the same sticker.

Keep the sticker information in a safe place. You may need it again if you forget your WiFi password, change devices, or need to troubleshoot your connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi password is printed on a sticker on the physical router, usually on the bottom or back.
  • The sticker also shows your router's admin username and password, which you need to change WiFi settings.
  • If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can log into your router's settings page through a web browser to view or change the password.
  • The WiFi password and the router admin password are two separate things — do not confuse them.

Checking the router sticker first

Before you do anything else, turn the router over or look at its back panel. Most routers have a label with white or light-colored text on a dark background. The WiFi password may be labeled as "Network Key," "Passphrase," "Security Key," or straightforward "Password." Write it down exactly as it appears — capitalization and special characters matter.

If you have multiple routers in your home (for example, a main router and a mesh WiFi system), each one has its own sticker. Check the specific router you are trying to connect to. The network name (SSID) on the sticker should match the WiFi network you see when you search for available networks on your phone or computer.

Logging into your router if the sticker is gone

If the sticker is missing or illegible, open a web browser on a computer or phone connected to your WiFi. Type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Press Enter.

A login page will appear. Enter the admin username and password from the sticker (or the defaults if you do not have the sticker — common defaults are "admin" for both username and password, though this varies by manufacturer). Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi," "Wireless," "Network," or "Security." The WiFi password should be visible there, often in a field labeled "Passphrase" or "Pre-Shared Key."

If the default username and password do not work, you may have changed them before. In that case, you will need to reset the router to factory settings — this erases all your settings and returns it to the state it came in. Most routers have a small reset button you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

Resetting your WiFi password through the router settings

Once you are logged into the router settings page, find the WiFi or Wireless section. Look for a field that says "Network Name," "SSID," "Passphrase," "Pre-Shared Key," or "Password." You can view the current password here — it may be hidden behind dots or asterisks, but some routers show it if you click a "Show" button.

If you want to change the password to something easier to remember, you can do that here too. Type a new password (usually between 8 and 63 characters), then save or explore the changes. The router will restart, and your WiFi will briefly disconnect. Reconnect using the new password.

Different router types and where to look

The location of the password label varies slightly by brand. On Netgear routers, check the bottom or back for a label with "Network Name" and "Network Key." On TP-Link routers, look for "SSID" and "Password" or "Passphrase." Linksys routers typically have this information on the back or bottom as well.

If you have a modem and router as separate devices, they are not the same thing. Your modem connects to your internet service provider's line; your router broadcasts the WiFi signal. The WiFi password is on the router, not the modem. If you have a combined modem-router unit, the sticker will have both the modem settings and the WiFi settings.

Keeping your password find

Once you find or change your WiFi password, do not share it in plain text over email or text message. If you need to give it to someone, consider changing it temporarily, giving them the temporary password, and then changing it again after they connect.

If you suspect someone has your password and is using your WiFi without permission, you can change the password through the router settings. This will disconnect everyone currently on your network, and they will need the new password to reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot find the sticker on my router?

Check all sides and the bottom — the sticker is usually small and can be straightforward to miss. If it is completely gone, you can still access the password by logging into the router settings page through a web browser using the admin username and password (also from the sticker, or the factory defaults). If you do not have that information either, you will need to reset the router to factory settings.

Is my WiFi password the same as my router admin password?

No. The WiFi password lets you connect to the internet through that router. The admin password lets you log into the router's settings page to change configurations. They are printed on the same sticker but are completely separate. You need the admin password to view or change the WiFi password.

Can I see my WiFi password on my phone or computer?

On Windows, go to Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, select your network, and click Properties — the password appears under "Security." On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password," and enter your computer password. On phones, this is harder — most do not display saved passwords for security reasons.

What should I do if I changed my WiFi password and forgot it?

Log into the router settings page using the admin username and password, then view or change the WiFi password from there. If you also forgot the admin password, reset the router to factory settings using the reset button, then log in with the default credentials (usually "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and blank).

Why does my router sticker show two different network names?

Many modern routers broadcast both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network, sometimes with different names (SSIDs) and passwords. The sticker may show both. The 5 GHz network is faster but has shorter range; the 2.4 GHz network is slower but reaches farther. You can connect to whichever one works best for your device.