Where your WiFi password actually lives
Your wireless password is stored in three places: inside your router itself, in your computer's memory, or in your phone's memory. The easiest route depends on what device you have in front of you right now. If you have physical access to your router, you can reset it to the factory password printed on a sticker. If you remember logging in before on a Windows or Mac computer, that machine has saved the password and can show it to you. If neither of those works, you can change the password through your router's admin panel — but that requires knowing your router's login credentials, which is a different problem.
The fastest method for most people is to check a device that has already connected to the network. That device remembers the password even if you do not.
Key Takeaways
- Windows computers store your WiFi password and can display it if you go to Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, then select your network and choose "Show" under the password field.
- Mac computers keep the password in Keychain; open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password to reveal it.
- Your router has a sticker on the bottom or back showing the default WiFi name and password, which works if you have never changed them.
- If you have changed the password and forgotten it, you can factory reset your router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which erases all custom settings and returns it to the default password on the sticker.
Finding the password on a Windows computer
If you have a Windows 10 or 11 computer that has connected to your WiFi before, it has the password stored. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click Network and Internet. Select WiFi, then scroll down and click "Manage known networks". Find your network name in the list and click it.
A window will open showing your network details. Look for the password field and click "Show". Windows will ask you to enter your computer's login password to confirm you are the account holder. Type it in, and your WiFi password will appear in plain text. You can now copy it and use it on another device.
Finding the password on a Mac
Mac computers store WiFi passwords in Keychain, which is the system's password vault. Open Spotlight by pressing Command and Space, type "keychain access", and press Enter. A window will open showing all your saved passwords and login information.
In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears on your device. When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A details window will open. Check the box next to "Show password" at the bottom. Mac will ask for your login password to confirm. Enter it, and your WiFi password will appear in the password field. You can now copy it to use elsewhere.
Checking the sticker on your router
Most routers come with a sticker on the bottom, back, or side that shows the default WiFi network name and password. If you have never changed these settings since the router was installed, this password will work. Look for text that says "WiFi Name", "SSID", "Network Name", or "Password" on the sticker.
The default password is usually a random string of letters and numbers. Write it down exactly as shown, including capital and lowercase letters, because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive. If this password does not work, it means someone has changed the settings, and you will need to try another method.
Resetting your router to use the default password
If you have changed your WiFi password and cannot remember it, you can reset the router to its factory settings. This will erase any custom settings you made and return the network to the default password shown on the sticker. Locate the small reset button on your router — it is usually recessed into the case so you cannot press it by accident.
Using a straightened paperclip or a pen, press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the router will blink, and it will restart. This process takes about two minutes. Once the router finishes restarting, the WiFi network will broadcast using the default name and password from the sticker. All your other custom settings — port forwarding, security settings, connected devices — will also be erased and returned to factory defaults.
After you reset the router, you should log back into the admin panel and change the password to something new. The admin panel address is usually printed on the sticker as well, often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
Accessing your router's admin panel to change the password
If you know your router's admin username and password, you can log into the control panel and change the WiFi password without resetting the entire router. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1, depending on the brand. Check your router's sticker or manual if you are not sure.
A login screen will appear asking for a username and password. The default is often "admin" for both, but this varies by manufacturer. If the default does not work, check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Wireless", "WiFi", "Network", or "Security Settings". Find the field labeled "Password", "Passphrase", or "Pre-Shared Key", change it to something new, and save the changes. Your router will restart, and the new password will take effect.
What to do if you cannot find the password any other way
If you do not have a connected computer or phone, the sticker is missing or unreadable, and you do not know your router's admin password, your best option is to contact your internet service provider. They have records of your account and can tell you the default password or help you reset the router remotely. Have your account number ready when you call.
Alternatively, if the router is old or you have lost the manual, you can search online for your router's model number — usually printed on the sticker — and look for the default password on the manufacturer's support page. Many manufacturers publish this information publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password if I am connected to the network on my phone?
On Android, go to Settings > Network and Internet > WiFi, tap your network name, and look for a QR code or password option — this varies by phone model and Android version. On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap your network, and ask Siri to show the password, or use a shortcut app. Both methods require your phone's unlock code to display the password.
What if the password on the sticker does not work?
Someone has changed the WiFi settings since the router was set up. Try the Windows or Mac method to recover the saved password from a connected device. If that does not work, reset the router using the recessed reset button, which will restore the sticker password.
Will resetting my router affect my internet speed or other devices?
Resetting the router erases all custom settings but does not affect your internet speed — that is controlled by your service provider. However, all devices will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the default password. Any custom settings like port forwarding or parental controls will be lost and must be reconfigured.
Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?
Writing it down on paper in your home is reasonably safe — it is only a risk if someone visits and sees it. Storing it in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password is more find because the password is encrypted. Avoid texting it or emailing it unless you trust the recipient completely.
Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the whole router?
Yes, if you know your router's admin username and password, you can log into the control panel through a web browser and change only the WiFi password. This leaves all other settings intact. If you do not know the admin password, resetting the router is your only option.