Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: inside your router itself, in your computer's memory if you've connected before, and possibly in your router's instruction manual or setup email. The easiest route depends on whether you remember connecting to the network, whether you still have access to the device that set it up, and whether you can physically reach your router.

If you're locked out of your own network, you don't need to call your internet provider. You can retrieve the password from any device that's already connected, or reset it directly on the router using a physical button. If someone else set up the network and you need their permission, that's a different problem — but the technical steps to find it are the same.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, select your network, and choose "Forget" then reconnect to see the password prompt, or use Command Prompt to view saved passwords when ready.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your computer password to reveal it.
  • On your router, the default password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom, or in the manual that came with it.
  • If you've forgotten the router password entirely, press and hold the reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds to restore factory defaults, then set a new password.
  • Any device currently connected to your network can show you the password — you don't need the original device that set it up.

Finding the password on a Windows computer

If your Windows computer is already connected to the network, the fastest way is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click "Command Prompt", and select "Run as administrator". Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear, replacing "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name. The password appears next to "Key Content".

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks. Find your network in the list, click it, then click "Forget". Reconnect to that network — Windows will prompt you to enter the password, and you can check the box next to "Show password characters" to see what you're typing.

This method only works if you're already connected or have connected before. If the network doesn't appear in your known networks list, you'll need to retrieve the password from the router or another device.

Finding the password on a Mac

Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type Keychain Access, and press Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your network name. When it appears in the list, double-click it. A window opens showing your network details. Check the box next to "Show password" near the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your computer password — enter it, and the WiFi password appears in plain text.

Keychain Access stores passwords for any network your Mac has ever connected to, so this works even if you're not currently on that WiFi. If your network doesn't appear in the search results, your Mac has never connected to it, and you'll need to check your router or another device instead.

Finding the password on your router

Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. Most routers have a label with the network name (SSID) and the default password printed directly on it. This is the password you set up when you first installed the router, or the factory default if you never changed it. Take a photo of the sticker with your phone so you have it saved.

If there's no sticker or the label is worn away, check the instruction manual or the original email from your internet provider. Many providers send setup information by email when they set up your account. Search your email for the router model number (usually on the device itself) or your provider's name plus "WiFi password".

If you've changed the password since installation and can't find a record of it, you'll need to reset the router to factory defaults. This erases your current password and returns the router to its original settings.

Resetting your router to find the default password

On the back or bottom of your router, there's a small recessed button labeled "Reset". Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink, and the router will restart. This process takes about two minutes.

Once the router finishes restarting, the network name and password return to the factory defaults printed on the sticker. You can now connect using those credentials. After you're connected, log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser) and set a new password that you'll remember.

Warning: resetting the router also erases any custom settings you've made, such as port forwarding or parental controls. Only do this if you're certain you won't lose important configuration.

Finding the password on a phone or tablet

On Android, go to Settings > System > System Update > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth. This doesn't show the password directly, but it clears your saved networks. When you reconnect, Android will prompt you to enter the password. If you don't remember it, you'll need to check another device or your router.

On iPhone or iPad, there's no built-in way to view a saved WiFi password without a Mac with Keychain Access. If you need the password and don't have access to a Windows computer or Mac, your only option is to check the router sticker or reset the router to factory defaults.

What to do if you don't recognize the network name

If you're trying to find the password for a network you don't own — a neighbor's WiFi, a guest network at work, or a network set up by someone else in your home — you'll need permission from whoever controls the router. They can tell you the password, or they can log into the router's admin panel and reset it themselves.

If you're in a rental and the landlord or previous tenant set up the WiFi, contact them directly. If they're unreachable, you may need to reset the router to factory defaults (if you have physical access) or contact your internet provider to have them reset it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I'm not connected to the network?

Yes, if you've connected before. On Windows, use Command Prompt with the network name. On Mac, search Keychain Access. On Android, you cannot view saved passwords. If you've never connected, you need to check the router sticker or reset the router.

What's the difference between the network name and the password?

The network name (SSID) is what you see in your list of available WiFi networks. The password is what you type to connect. Both are usually printed on the router sticker, but they're separate pieces of information.

If I reset my router, will I lose my internet connection?

No. Resetting the router returns it to factory defaults, but your internet connection from your provider remains active. You'll just need to reconnect your devices using the default password, then set a new password in the router's admin panel.

Can someone else see my WiFi password if they're connected to my network?

On Windows or Mac, yes — anyone with admin access to a connected device can view the password using the methods described here. To prevent this, use a strong computer password and don't leave devices unattended with someone you don't trust.

What if the password on the router sticker doesn't work?

The sticker shows the factory default password. If it doesn't work, someone has changed it. Try the password from your internet provider's setup email, or reset the router to restore the default.