The WiFi password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router

Most routers ship with a default WiFi password printed on a label attached to the device itself. Flip your router over or look at the back panel — you will see a sticker with information like the network name (SSID) and a password, often labeled "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or "Passphrase." This is the password you enter when connecting a phone, laptop, or tablet to your home network.

The sticker typically shows both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names if your router broadcasts both bands. Each band may have its own password, or they may share one — check the label to see which applies to your model. Write down or photograph this information before you need it, since the sticker can fade or peel off over time.

Key Takeaways

  • The WiFi password is almost always on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router, listed next to the network name.
  • If you changed the password after setup, the sticker will show the original default password, not your current one.
  • You can log into your router's admin panel to see or change the WiFi password if you no longer have the sticker.
  • The router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and login credentials are also on the sticker and needed to access the admin panel.
  • If you forgot both the WiFi password and the admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings, which erases all custom settings.

What to do if the sticker is missing or unreadable

If the label has worn away, faded, or been removed, you can still find your WiFi password by logging into the router's admin panel. Open a web browser on a computer or phone connected to your network and type the router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, and it is also printed on the sticker if you can read any part of it.

You will be prompted to log in with a username and password. These are also on the sticker — common defaults are "admin" for both username and password, or "admin" and "password." Once logged in, look for a section labeled "WiFi," "Wireless," "Network," or "Security" — the exact name varies by manufacturer. The WiFi password will be displayed there, usually in a field labeled "Passphrase" or "Pre-Shared Key."

If you changed the password and forgot it

If you customized your WiFi password after setting up the router and can no longer remember it, the sticker will show the original default password, not your current one. Log into the admin panel using the steps above and navigate to the WiFi or Wireless section to see your actual current password. You can also change it to something new from this same screen.

Write down your new password somewhere safe — a password manager, a notebook in a drawer, or a photo on your phone. This prevents you from being locked out later if you forget it again.

Finding the admin password if you do not know it

The admin password (used to log into the router settings, not the WiFi password) is also printed on the sticker. If you changed it and forgot it, or if the sticker is gone, you have two options: look up the default password for your specific router model online, or reset the router to factory settings.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back of the router — it is usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pin to press it. Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to its original factory settings, erasing any custom WiFi password, admin password, or network configuration you set up. After the reset, the sticker information will work again for both WiFi and admin login.

Different manufacturers, same location

Whether your router is made by Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Asus, Arris, or another brand, the WiFi password is always on a sticker attached to the device. The layout and exact wording vary slightly — Netgear may say "Network Key," while Asus might say "Passphrase" — but the information is in the same place. Check the back, bottom, or side of the router first before looking anywhere else.

If your router is built into a modem (a combined modem-router unit), the sticker is still on the device itself. The WiFi password and network name are separate from the modem login credentials, which are used to connect to your internet service provider's network.

Recovering a password from a device already connected

If you have a computer, phone, or tablet already connected to your WiFi network, you can sometimes view the saved password from that device's settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, select your network, and click "Properties" — the password appears under "Security Key" if you check the box to reveal it. On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, and check "Show password." On iPhone or iPad, you cannot view the password directly, but you can share it with another Apple device by holding your phone near the other device while it tries to connect.

This method works only if you are already connected and have access to the device's settings. It does not help if you are trying to connect a new device or if you have been disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password on my phone?

On Android, go to Settings > WiFi, long-press your network name, tap "Manage," and look for a "Show Password" option — this works only if your phone is already connected. On iPhone, you cannot view the password in settings, but you can share it with another Apple device during connection. The easiest method is still to check the sticker on the router or log into the admin panel from a computer.

What if I see two network names on the sticker?

Most modern routers broadcast two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The sticker shows both network names (SSIDs) and may list one or two passwords. Some routers use the same password for both bands, while others assign different passwords. Check the label to see which password goes with which network, or try the same password for both — it usually works.

Is the WiFi password the same as the admin password?

No. The WiFi password is what you enter to connect devices to your network. The admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings to change configurations. They are separate and usually different. The sticker shows both, often in different sections.

What happens if I reset the router to factory settings?

Resetting erases all custom settings, including any WiFi password you created, custom network name, and admin password changes. After reset, the router returns to the defaults printed on the sticker. All devices will need to reconnect using the original network name and password. You will lose any custom configurations, so reset only if you have no other way to recover the password.

Can I change my WiFi password without logging into the admin panel?

No. You must log into the router's admin panel to change the WiFi password. This is a security feature — it prevents someone who knows the WiFi password from changing network settings. Use the IP address and admin credentials from the sticker to access the panel, then navigate to the WiFi section to create a new password.