Where to find your WiFi username and password

Your WiFi username and password are usually printed on a sticker attached to your router — the box that broadcasts your wireless signal. Look on the bottom, back, or side of the device. The username is often called the SSID (Service Set Identifier), and the password may be labeled Network Key, Passphrase, or WiFi Password.

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can retrieve both pieces of information from your router's settings page using any device already connected to that WiFi network. This takes about two minutes and requires no technical knowledge.

If you have never set up the router yourself and do not have the original sticker, your internet service provider (ISP) — the company that bills you for internet — may have sent this information in a welcome email or printed it on paperwork that came with the router.

Key Takeaways

  • The WiFi username and password are printed on a sticker on your router's bottom, back, or side.
  • If the sticker is gone, you can find both pieces of information by logging into your router's settings page from any connected device.
  • Your ISP may have sent the original username and password in a welcome email or printed materials when you first received the router.
  • Resetting the router to factory settings will erase your current password and restore the default one printed on the sticker.

Finding the sticker on your router

Start by locating your router. It is usually a rectangular box with antennas, placed near where internet enters your home — often in a closet, on a shelf, or mounted on a wall. Once you have found it, look for a white or gray sticker on the bottom, back, or side of the device.

The sticker will show several pieces of information. Look for a line that says SSID, Network Name, or WiFi Name — this is your username. Below that, find a line labeled Password, Network Key, Passphrase, or WiFi Password — this is what you need to connect.

If the sticker is faded or partially torn, take a photo with your phone and zoom in on the image. This often makes the text readable even when the physical sticker is not.

Retrieving your password from the router settings page

If the sticker is completely missing or illegible, you can find your WiFi username and password by logging into your router's settings. You will need a device that is already connected to your WiFi network — a phone, tablet, or computer will work.

Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, then press Enter. A login page will appear. If neither address works, check the back of your router for a line that says Default Gateway or Management URL — use that address instead.

You will be asked for a username and password to access the router settings. These are different from your WiFi password. Common defaults are admin for both username and password, or admin and password. If those do not work, check the router's sticker or manual for the default login credentials. If you changed these credentials and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router (see the section below).

Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, Network, or WLAN Settings. Your WiFi username and password will be displayed there. You can now write them down or take a screenshot.

Checking your ISP's records

Your internet service provider set up your router when you first signed up for service. They may have sent your WiFi username and password in a welcome email, on a printed card inside the router box, or on a bill insert.

Search your email for messages from your ISP using keywords like "WiFi", "network", "password", or "setup". Check your spam and promotions folders as well. If you have the original paperwork that came with your router, look through it for a card or sheet with network information printed on it.

If you cannot find the original information, you can contact your ISP's customer service and provide proof of your account. They can tell you the WiFi username and password they originally set, though they may not have a record if you changed the password after setup.

Resetting your router to restore the default password

If you changed your WiFi password and cannot remember it, or if you cannot access the router settings page, you can reset the router to its factory defaults. This will erase your current password and restore the one printed on the sticker. Warning: resetting will also disconnect all devices currently using your WiFi, and you will need to reconnect them using the default password.

Look for a small button labeled Reset on the back or bottom of your router. Using a paperclip or the tip of a pen, press and hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the router will blink, indicating the reset is in progress. Wait about two minutes for the router to restart completely.

Once the router has restarted, the WiFi username and password will be the defaults printed on the sticker. You can now reconnect your devices using those credentials. If you want to change the password again, log into the router settings page and update it in the Wireless or WiFi Settings section.

What to do if you still cannot find your password

If the sticker is missing, the router settings page will not load, and you cannot reach your ISP, try restarting the router. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then try accessing the settings page again at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

If restarting does not work, your next option is to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button described above. This will restore the password on the sticker, assuming the sticker is still readable or you can contact your ISP for the original credentials.

If none of these steps work, contact your ISP's customer service. Provide your account number and proof of identity. They can help you access the router or send you a replacement with the WiFi information already configured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password on my phone or computer?

Yes, on most devices. On Windows, go to Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, select your network, and click Properties. On Mac, hold Option and click the WiFi icon in the menu bar. On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap your network name, and tap the info icon. Android varies by manufacturer, but usually Settings > WiFi > your network name > Show Password.

What is the difference between my WiFi password and my router login password?

Your WiFi password is what you type to connect devices to your wireless network. Your router login password is what you type to access the router's settings page. They are separate and can be different. The WiFi password is on the sticker; the router login password is usually the default (admin/admin or admin/password) unless you changed it.

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

No. Resetting the router erases your WiFi settings and password, but your internet connection from your ISP remains active. After the reset, you will reconnect to WiFi using the default password on the sticker, and your internet will work again.

My router sticker shows two WiFi names — which one do I use?

Many modern routers broadcast two networks: one on 2.4 GHz and one on 5 GHz. Both use the same password. The 5 GHz network is faster but has shorter range; the 2.4 GHz network is slower but reaches farther. You can connect to either one. Some routers combine them into a single network name that automatically switches between the two.