Access your router's settings page

To reset your WiFi password, you need to log into your router's control panel — the settings page where the router stores its configuration. Most home routers have this page built in, and you reach it by typing an address into any web browser on a device connected to your network.

Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) on a computer, phone, or tablet that is currently connected to your WiFi. In the address bar at the top, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — one of these is the default address for most home routers. Press Enter. A login page should appear asking for a username and password.

If neither address works, check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker listing the correct address. It may also say "Router Address" or "Gateway Address". If you still cannot find it, you can also try 192.168.100.1 or search online for "[your router brand] default gateway address".

Log in with your router's default credentials

The login page is asking for your router's administrative password, not your WiFi password — these are two different things. Most routers come with a default username and password printed on a sticker on the device itself. Common defaults are username admin with password admin, or username admin with password password.

Check the sticker on your router first. If you have changed the router password in the past and cannot remember it, you will need to perform a factory reset instead (see the section below). If the default credentials do not work and you have not changed them, try searching online for "[your router model] default password" — your model number is also on the sticker.

Once you enter the correct username and password, click Login or Submit. You should now see your router's control panel, which typically shows network status, connected devices, and settings options.

Key Takeaways

  • The router settings page is reached by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser on a device already connected to your WiFi.
  • You log in with your router's administrative credentials (usually printed on a sticker), not your WiFi password.
  • Once logged in, look for a section labeled Wireless, WiFi, or Network Settings to find the option to change your WiFi password.
  • If you have forgotten the router's administrative password, a factory reset will restore the defaults, but it will also erase all your custom settings.
  • After changing your WiFi password, all devices will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect.

Find the wireless or WiFi settings section

Inside the router control panel, look for a menu or tab labeled Wireless, WiFi, Network, or Security. Different router brands organize this differently — some put it in a left sidebar, others in tabs across the top. If you see a section called Advanced, the wireless settings may be nested inside it.

Once you find the wireless section, you should see fields for your current network name (called the SSID) and the password (sometimes labeled Pre-Shared Key, Passphrase, or WPA Password). The password field may show dots or asterisks instead of the actual characters for security.

Some routers have a button to show the current password in plain text. If you just want to see what your current password is without changing it, look for an eye icon or a checkbox labeled "Show Password".

Change your WiFi password and save the new one

Click in the password field and clear the current text. Type your new password. Most routers require between 8 and 63 characters, and the password is case-sensitive — meaning capital and lowercase letters are treated as different. A strong password uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #), though this is not required by most routers.

Write down or save your new password somewhere safe before you proceed — you will need it to reconnect your devices. Once you have entered the new password, look for a button labeled Save, explore, or OK at the bottom of the page. Click it.

The router will process the change, which usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. During this time, the router may restart briefly and all devices currently connected to your WiFi will be disconnected. This is normal. Once the change is complete, you can reconnect your devices using the new password.

Reconnect your devices with the new password

After the router finishes explore the change, your phone, computer, tablet, and other devices will no longer be connected to your WiFi. On each device, open the WiFi network list and select your network name (SSID). When prompted for the password, enter the new password you just created.

If a device does not find your network when ready, wait 30 seconds and try again. If you see an error message saying "Incorrect Password" after entering the new password correctly, double-check that you typed it exactly as you saved it — including uppercase and lowercase letters. If the problem persists, restart the device and try connecting again.

Devices that connect automatically (like smart home devices or streaming boxes) may take a few minutes to reconnect on their own once they receive the new password. If a device does not reconnect within 5 minutes, you may need to manually enter the new password in that device's WiFi settings.

Reset your router to factory defaults if you forgot the admin password

If you cannot log into the router control panel because you have forgotten the administrative password, you will need to perform a factory reset. This erases all your custom settings and returns the router to the state it was in when it left the factory. After a factory reset, you can log in with the default credentials again and set a new WiFi password.

To factory reset most routers, locate the small Reset button on the back or bottom of the device. It is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Using a straightened paperclip or a ballpoint pen, press and hold the Reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front of the router will blink, indicating the reset is in progress. Release the button and wait 2 to 3 minutes for the router to restart.

After the restart, the router will be back to its factory settings. You can now log in using the default username and password from the sticker, and then follow the steps above to set a new WiFi password. Be aware that a factory reset will also erase any other custom settings you had made, such as port forwarding or parental controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your WiFi password is what you type into your phone or computer to connect to the internet. Your router password is the administrative credential you use to log into the router's settings page. They are separate — changing one does not change the other. Most people only need to change their WiFi password.

Will changing my WiFi password disconnect my devices?

Yes. When you save the new password, all devices currently connected to your WiFi will be disconnected when ready. They will need to reconnect using the new password. This usually takes less than a minute per device, and you can reconnect them one at a time or all at once.

What if I cannot remember my new password after I set it?

Log back into the router control panel and check the wireless settings section — the password field will show your current password (usually as dots or asterisks). You can view it in plain text if the router has a "Show Password" option, or you can change it to something you will remember more easily.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone instead of a computer?

Yes. Any device connected to your WiFi can access the router settings page by typing the router address into a web browser. The process is the same on a phone or tablet as it is on a computer. Make sure you are connected to your WiFi network before you try to access the settings page.

Why does my router keep asking me to log in again after I change the password?

After you change the WiFi password and save it, the router restarts and disconnects you from the network. When you try to access the settings page again, your device needs to reconnect to the WiFi first using the new password. Once it reconnects, you can log into the router settings page again using the same administrative credentials as before.