Where to find your WiFi password on Windows

Your WiFi password is stored in Windows settings, and you can retrieve it without resetting your router. Open the Settings app, go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi on the left side. Click Manage known networks, find your network name in the list, and select it. Choose Forget, then reconnect to the network — Windows will prompt you to enter the password again, which you can now see as you type it by checking the box next to the password field.

If you want to see the password without reconnecting, use the Command Prompt instead. Right-click the Start menu, select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and type this command: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — replace "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name. The password appears next to Key Content in the results.

Where to find your WiFi password on Mac

Your Mac stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain, Apple's built-in password manager. Open Keychain Access by pressing Command+Space, typing "Keychain Access", and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your network name. When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A window opens — check the box next to Show password, and your Mac will ask for your user password to confirm. Once you enter it, the WiFi password displays in plain text.

Alternatively, you can find it through System Settings. Go to System Settings > WiFi, click the information icon next to your connected network, and select Details. This method shows the password more directly without opening Keychain Access separately.

Where to find your WiFi username and password on your router

Your router has a label on the bottom or back that lists the default WiFi network name (called the SSID) and the default password. This label is your fastest option if you have not changed these settings since installation. The label typically shows something like "Network Name: TP-Link-5G" and "Password: 8x9kL2mN" — write these down exactly as printed, including capital letters and numbers.

If you have changed the password since setup and cannot find it on your devices, 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 the button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash, and the router will restart with the default network name and password from the label. After reset, you can log into the router's admin panel and create a new password.

How to find your router's admin username and password

The router's admin username and password are different from your WiFi password — they let you log into the router's settings page to change WiFi names, passwords, and security settings. The default admin credentials are also printed on the label on your router. Common defaults are "admin" for both username and password, or "admin" with a blank password, but this varies by manufacturer.

To access the router's settings, open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. A login page appears — enter the username and password from your router's label. If you have changed the admin password and forgotten it, the only way to recover it is to reset the router to factory settings using the reset button, which will also reset your WiFi password.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, use the Command Prompt command netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear to see your WiFi password without reconnecting.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, and check "Show password" to reveal the WiFi password.
  • Your router's label on the back or bottom displays both the default WiFi network name and password if you have not changed them.
  • If you have changed your WiFi password and cannot find it, reset the router using the recessed reset button to restore the default credentials from the label.
  • The router's admin username and password (for accessing settings) are separate from your WiFi password and are also listed on the router's label.

What to do if you cannot find the label on your router

If the label has worn off or is missing, you can still find the default credentials by looking up your router's model number. The model number is usually printed on the router itself, separate from the label. Search online for "[Your Router Model] default password" — manufacturer support pages list the standard credentials for each model. Common manufacturers include TP-Link, Netgear, Linksys, Asus, and D-Link, and each publishes default credentials for their devices.

If the model number is also unclear, you can identify your router by its appearance and brand name alone. Take a photo of the router and search for it, or visit the manufacturer's website and browse their product gallery. Once you have the model number, the default credentials are usually one search away. After you log in with the defaults, change both your WiFi password and your admin password to something only you know.

Changing your WiFi password after you find it

Once you have your admin username and password, you can change your WiFi password to something stronger. Log into your router by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser, enter the admin credentials, and look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. Find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key, and enter a new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for better security. Save the changes — your router will restart, and all connected devices will disconnect temporarily.

After the restart, reconnect your devices using the new password. Your old password will no longer work. Write down the new password in a safe place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it securely. This way, if you forget it again, you can retrieve it from your password manager instead of resetting the router.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Windows and Mac, yes — both systems store passwords for networks you have connected to before, even if you are not currently connected. Use the Command Prompt method on Windows or Keychain Access on Mac. If you have never connected to the network, you will need to access the router directly using the admin credentials.

What if I reset my router and now I do not know the new password I created?

You will need to reset the router again using the reset button. This erases any custom password you set and restores the default credentials from the label. After the reset, log back in and create a new password, making sure to write it down or save it in a password manager.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down and storing the paper in a find location (like a locked drawer) is safer than using a weak password you can remember. A better option is to use a password manager, which encrypts your passwords and stores them digitally. This way, only you can access them, and you do not have to memorize or write anything down.

Why does my router have two different passwords listed on the label?

One password is for connecting to WiFi (the network password), and the other is for logging into the router's settings page (the admin password). You need the WiFi password to connect devices to the internet. You need the admin password only when you want to change router settings like the WiFi name or security level.