Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: inside your router's settings, in your computer's network memory, or on a sticker attached to the router itself. The easiest route depends on what you have access to right now. If you can see the router physically, the password is often printed on a label. If you need to retrieve it from a device that has already connected, Windows and Mac both store it — you just need to know where to look and what permissions you need.

The password you use to connect devices is different from the admin password that controls the router's settings page. You only need the connection password to join the network. If you have forgotten both, you can reset the router to factory settings, but that erases all your custom settings and forces you to set everything up again.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the physical router first — most have the WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.
  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network name, and click Manage Known Networks to view the saved password.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to WiFi, click Details next to your network, and the password appears in the Security tab if you have admin access.
  • If you know the router's admin password, you can log into the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and view or change the WiFi password there.
  • If you have forgotten everything, you can factory reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this erases all settings.

Finding the password on the router itself

The simplest method is to look at the router. Most routers have a label on the back, bottom, or side that lists the WiFi network name (called the SSID) and the password. The label may say "WiFi Password", "Network Key", "Passphrase", or "Security Key" — they all mean the same thing. Write down exactly what you see, including capital letters and numbers, because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.

If the label is worn away or missing, or if the password on the label no longer works, someone may have changed it after the router was installed. In that case, you will need to retrieve it from a device that is already connected, or log into the router's settings to change it.

Retrieving the password on Windows 10 or 11

Windows stores WiFi passwords for every network you have ever connected to. To view the password for your current network, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then click WiFi in the left sidebar.

Under "WiFi", you will see a section called "Manage known networks". Click on the name of your WiFi network. A new window opens showing network details. Look for a button or link that says Manage or View. Click it, and you will see a field labeled "Network security key" or "Password" — this is your WiFi password. You may need to enter your Windows password to view it.

If you do not see your network listed, it means your computer has never connected to it before, or the connection was forgotten. In that case, you will need to use a different method to find the password.

Retrieving the password on Mac

Mac stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain, which is the system's password storage. To view your WiFi password, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click WiFi in the sidebar, then click the name of your network. A details window opens. Click the Security tab.

You will see a field labeled "Password" or "Passphrase", but it appears as dots for security. To reveal the actual password, check the box next to Show password. Your Mac will ask you to enter your admin password — this is the password you use to log into your Mac account, not the WiFi password. Once you enter it, the WiFi password appears in plain text.

If you do not have admin access to the Mac, you cannot view the password this way. You will need to ask the person who set up the network, or use the router's settings page instead.

Logging into the router to view or change the password

If you know the router's admin password, you can log into the router's web interface and view or change the WiFi password from there. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Most home routers use one of these addresses. Press Enter.

A login page appears asking for a username and password. The default username is often "admin" and the default password is often "admin" or "password", but this varies by router brand. Check your router's manual or the label on the router itself for the default credentials. If you have changed these before and forgotten them, you will need to factory reset the router.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, Network, or Security. The exact name depends on your router brand. Inside this section, you will see the current WiFi network name and password. You can view the password or change it to something new. After you change it, save or explore the settings — your router will restart, and all connected devices will disconnect and need to reconnect with the new password.

Resetting the router if you have forgotten everything

If you have forgotten both the WiFi password and the router's admin password, and the password is not on the label, your only option is to factory reset the router. This erases all settings and returns the router to the state it was in when it left the factory. You will need to set up the WiFi network again from scratch.

To reset the router, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to 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 takes a few minutes. Once it is back online, the WiFi network name and password will return to the factory defaults, which are printed on the label.

After the reset, log into the router with the default credentials, change the WiFi password to something you will remember, and reconnect all your devices. Write down the new password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.

What to do if none of these methods work

If the password is not on the label, you cannot retrieve it from any connected device, and you do not know the router's admin password, the router may have been set up by someone else who is no longer available. Contact your internet service provider — they have records of the account and can sometimes reset the router remotely or provide you with the default credentials.

If the router belongs to a workplace, school, or public network, contact the IT department or network administrator. They manage the password and can provide it to you or reset it if necessary. Do not attempt to factory reset a router that you do not own — this will disrupt service for everyone on that network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WiFi password the same as the admin password?

No. The WiFi password is what you use to connect devices to the network. The admin password controls access to the router's settings page. They are separate, and you only need the WiFi password to join the network. You only need the admin password if you want to change settings or view the WiFi password from the router's web interface.

Why does my password look different on the label than what I remember typing?

The label may show a default password that was changed after installation. If the password on the label does not work, someone has already changed it. You will need to retrieve the new password from a connected device or log into the router's settings to change it back to something you know.

Can I see the WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?

Not from a computer or phone. You can only retrieve a saved password from a device that has already connected to that network before. If no device is connected, check the router's label or log into the router's settings page using the admin password.

What happens to my devices when I change the WiFi password?

All devices currently connected will disconnect when ready. They will not reconnect automatically — you will need to manually reconnect each one by selecting the network and entering the new password. Devices that were previously connected will still show the network in their list, but they will fail to connect until you update the password in their settings.

Can I reset the router without losing my internet connection?

A factory reset will disconnect you from the internet temporarily. The router will be offline for a few minutes while it restarts. After it comes back online, you will need to set up the WiFi network again and reconnect all your devices before you have internet access again.