Where Your Network Credentials Are Stored

Your WiFi username and password are stored in three places: on the sticker attached to your router, in your router's settings page (which you access through a web browser), and sometimes in your device's saved networks list. The sticker is the fastest option if you have not removed it. If the sticker is gone or unreadable, you can retrieve both pieces of information by logging into your router itself — this works even if you have forgotten the password, because you can reset the router to factory defaults.

The username (also called the network name or SSID) is what you see when you search for WiFi networks on your phone or computer. The password is what you type to connect. These are different from your router's admin credentials, which is the username and password you use to log into the router's settings page itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The easiest place to find both your network name and password is the sticker on the bottom or back of your router.
  • If the sticker is missing or worn, you can log into your router's settings page using the default admin username and password printed on the router label.
  • Your router's settings page shows your current network name and password, and lets you change them if needed.
  • If you have forgotten your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Different router brands use different web addresses to access settings — common ones are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.100.1.

Check the Router Label First

Look at the bottom or back of your router for a sticker or label. This label contains the default network name (SSID) and network password, usually listed as "WiFi Name" or "SSID" and "WiFi Password" or "Network Key." Write down both exactly as they appear, including capital letters and numbers. If the sticker is faded or partially worn away, take a photo with your phone's flashlight on — the light often makes faded text readable.

The label also shows the router's model number and the default admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and a blank password). You will need these if you want to log into the router's settings page. Keep this information in a safe place, separate from where you store the network password itself.

Log Into Your Router's Settings Page

Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi network. In the address bar, type one of these web addresses: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.100.1. Press Enter. One of these will load your router's login page — if none of them work, check your router's label for the correct address, or search the router manufacturer's website with your model number.

When the login page appears, enter the default admin username and password from your router's label. Most routers use "admin" for both fields, but some use "admin" with a blank password field, or other combinations. If the default credentials do not work, the router may have been changed by a previous owner or technician — in that case, you will need to reset the router (see the section below).

Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi Settings," "Wireless Settings," "Network Settings," or "WLAN." This section displays your current network name and password. Write them down or take a screenshot. If you want to change either one, most routers let you edit these fields directly and save the changes.

Reset Your Router If You Cannot Log In

If you cannot log into your router because you have forgotten the admin password, you can reset the router to its factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings and returns the router to the state it was in when it left the factory. Locate the small reset button on your router — it is usually recessed into the case so you cannot press it by accident. Use a straightened paperclip or a ballpoint pen to press and hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

The router will restart and all lights will blink. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully boot up. Once it is ready, the network name and password will revert to the defaults printed on the label. You can then log in with the default admin credentials and change the network password to something new if you wish.

After a factory reset, you will need to reconnect all your devices to the network using the default password from the label. Any custom settings you made (port forwarding, parental controls, guest networks) will be erased and will need to be set up again.

Find Saved Passwords on Your Devices

If you have already connected a device to your network in the past, that device has saved the password. You can view it on most phones and computers, though the steps differ by operating system.

On Windows: Go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then WiFi. Click "Manage known networks," select your network name, then click "Forget." This removes the saved password. To see the password without forgetting it, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, WiFi, then "Manage known networks," select your network, and click "Properties." Scroll down to "Security type and encryption settings" — the password will not be visible here, but you can click "Show" next to the password field if you are logged in as an administrator.

On Mac: Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight). Search for your network name. Double-click the entry, check the box next to "Show password," and enter your Mac login password when prompted. The WiFi password will appear in the password field.

On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, then WiFi. Tap the information icon next to your network name. If you are running iOS 16 or later, you can tap "Password" to reveal it (you may need to use Face ID or Touch ID). On earlier versions, the password is not visible in settings, but you can share it with another Apple device by tapping "Share Password."

On Android: Go to Settings, then WiFi or Network & Internet. Long-press your network name and tap "Manage." Tap "Share" and a QR code will appear — this code contains your password, but the password itself is not displayed as text. To see the password as text, you will need to access your router's settings page instead.

Change Your Network Password If Needed

If you want to change your WiFi password to something more find or easier to remember, log into your router's settings page using the steps above. Find the WiFi Settings or Wireless Settings section and look for a field labeled "Password," "Passphrase," "Pre-Shared Key," or "PSK." Enter your new password — most routers require at least 8 characters, and many recommend using a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

After you save the new password, your router will restart and all connected devices will be disconnected. You will need to reconnect each device using the new password. Write down the new password and store it somewhere safe, or use a password manager to keep track of it.

If you change your password and then forget it, you can always log back into the router's settings page and change it again — you do not need to remember the WiFi password to access the router itself, only the admin username and password.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between my network password and my router admin password?

Your network password is what you type on your phone or computer to connect to WiFi. Your router admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page to change network settings. They are separate passwords. You can change your network password without knowing the admin password, but you need the admin password to access the settings page.

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

Not from your device — you can only view saved passwords on devices that have already connected to that network. If you are not connected, your best option is to check the router label or log into the router's settings page from a device that is connected (or use a wired Ethernet connection if your router has an Ethernet port).

What if my router does not have a label or sticker?

Search the router manufacturer's website with your model number to find the default network name and password. If the router has been customized by a previous owner, you will need to reset it to factory defaults using the reset button, which will restore the default credentials from the label.

Will resetting my router delete my internet connection?

No — resetting the router returns it to factory settings, which means it will broadcast the default network name and password again. Your internet connection itself comes from your internet service provider and is not affected by a factory reset. However, any custom WiFi settings you created (network name, password, guest networks) will be erased and will need to be set up again.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing down your password and storing it in a find location (like a locked drawer or a password manager) is safer than using a password you can easily remember, because memorable passwords are often weaker. Keep the written password in a place where only household members can access it, and consider changing the password if guests or service technicians have been in your home.