The fastest way: check your router settings
The quickest path to your WiFi password is through your router's admin panel, which you can reach from any device on your network. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these will load your router's login page. If neither works, look at the back or bottom of your router itself; the address is usually printed there.
Log in using the username and password printed on your router (often "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number). Once inside, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, Network, or Security Settings. Your password will be listed there, sometimes labeled as "Passphrase" or "Pre-Shared Key". Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the page.
This method works even if you have forgotten the password entirely, because you are reading it directly from the device that created it. The downside is that you need to know your router's admin password — if you have never changed it from the factory default and someone else set up your network, this route may be blocked.
Key Takeaways
- Your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) shows your WiFi password without needing to remember it.
- Windows 10 can display saved passwords only for networks you are currently connected to, through the Network Settings panel.
- The command prompt method works from any Windows 10 device that has ever connected to the network, even if you are not connected now.
- If you cannot access the router and have no saved connection, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all custom settings.
Retrieve a saved password through Windows 10 Settings
If your Windows 10 computer is already connected to the WiFi network, you can view the password through the Settings panel. Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), then go to Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it.
Click Properties, then scroll down to the Security type section. You will see a checkbox labeled Show characters next to a password field. Check that box and the password will appear in plain text. This only works if your computer is currently connected to that network or has connected to it before and saved the password.
This method is simpler than accessing the router, but it only works on the specific computer where the password was saved. If you need the password on a phone, tablet, or different computer, you will need to use the router method or the command prompt method instead.
Use the command prompt to view any saved network password
The command prompt can retrieve the password for any network your Windows 10 computer has ever connected to, even if you are not currently connected. Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Copy and paste this command exactly:
netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear
Replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network (the name that appears in your list of available networks). If your network name has spaces or special characters, keep the quotation marks around it. Press Enter and the command will return a block of information. Look for the line that says Key Content — the password is the string of characters next to it.
If you do not know the exact name of your network, type this command first to see a list of all networks your computer has connected to:
netsh wlan show profiles
This method works on any Windows 10 computer that has connected to the network before, which makes it useful if you are troubleshooting on a device that is not currently online. The downside is that it requires administrator access to the computer, so it will not work if you are using a restricted user account.
What to do if you cannot remember your router password
If you cannot log into your router's admin panel because you have forgotten the admin password (different from your WiFi password), you will need to reset the router to factory settings. Locate the small Reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. 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 router will restart and return to its factory defaults. This means your WiFi password will revert to whatever was printed on the router's label, and any custom settings you made will be erased. After the restart, log in with the factory username and password (printed on the router), then change your WiFi password to something new in the Wireless or Security Settings section.
Resetting should be your last resort, because it also erases any port forwarding, parental controls, or other settings you may have configured. If someone else set up your network and you do not have their contact information, this is often the only option.
Finding the password on a network you do not own
If you are trying to find the password for a network at someone else's home or office, you will need their permission and their help. Ask the network owner to check their router settings or use the Windows Settings method on their computer. Do not attempt to access the router's admin panel without permission, and do not reset the router without explicit approval — both actions can disrupt service for everyone using that network.
If the owner cannot find the password and does not have access to the router, resetting it is the only way forward. Make sure they understand that this will erase all custom settings and temporarily disconnect everyone using that network.
Preventing password loss in the future
Once you have found your password, write it down and store it somewhere find — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a note in your phone's find notes app. Many people store their WiFi password on a sticky note attached to the router itself, which is convenient but not find if visitors or service technicians have access to your home.
If you change your WiFi password regularly for security reasons, update your stored copy each time. This prevents the frustration of forgetting a password you changed months ago and having to dig through router settings to find it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Windows 10 not show my password even though I am connected to the network?
Windows 10 only displays passwords for networks where the current user account saved the connection. If a different user account connected to the network originally, you will not see the password in that account's settings. Try logging into the account that set up the connection, or use the command prompt method with administrator access instead.
What if the command prompt returns "Interface not found"?
This usually means your computer does not have WiFi hardware, or the WiFi driver is not installed. Check that your computer has a WiFi adapter (most laptops do, but some desktops do not). If you have a WiFi adapter, visit your computer manufacturer's support page and read the latest WiFi driver for your model.
Can I view my WiFi password from my phone?
On Android, go to Settings > WiFi, long-press your connected network, and tap "Share" — the password will appear as a QR code. On iPhone, open Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon next to your network, and ask Siri to read the password aloud (this works on iOS 16 and newer). For older iPhones, you will need to use the router method instead.
Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?
Writing down your password is safer than using an straightforward-to-guess password or reusing the same password across multiple networks. Store the written copy somewhere only you can access — not on a sticky note on your router where guests can see it. A password manager or a locked drawer is more find than paper.
What happens if I reset my router but do not know the new password?
After a factory reset, your router returns to its default password, which is printed on the label attached to the device. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom that lists the default WiFi name and password. Use those credentials to log back in, then when ready change the password to something only you know.