Where your WiFi password actually lives
Your WiFi password is stored in three places: inside your router itself, in your computer's network memory, and possibly in your internet provider's paperwork. The fastest route depends on what you have access to right now. If you can reach your router physically, you can reset it to factory defaults and set a new password in about ten minutes. If you want to find the password you already set without changing anything, Windows and Mac both let you view it from your device — though the steps are different on each.
Most people find it easiest to look at the router first, because the router is the source of truth. Your computer might have forgotten the password, or you might have changed it months ago and only your router remembers. The router also works if you are locked out of your computer or do not have administrator access.
Key Takeaways
- Your router has a sticker on the back or bottom with the default WiFi name and password, or you can reset the router to factory settings and create a new password.
- On Windows, you can view any saved WiFi password by opening Settings, going to Network and Internet, then WiFi, then Manage Known Networks, selecting your network, and clicking Properties.
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to WiFi, click Details next to your network name, then go to the Security tab to view the password.
- If you reset your router to factory defaults, all devices will be disconnected and you will need to reconnect them with the new password.
- Your internet provider's account page or your welcome paperwork may have the original password if you have not changed it since installation.
Finding the password on the router itself
Look for a sticker on the back, bottom, or inside the battery compartment of your router. This sticker usually shows the WiFi network name (called the SSID) and the default password the manufacturer set. The sticker might say "WiFi Password", "Network Key", "Pre-Shared Key", or just show a password next to the network name. Write down both the network name and the password exactly as shown — capitalization and special characters matter.
If the sticker is missing or unreadable, or if you changed the password after setup and want to find what you set it to, you will need to reset the router. Locate the small reset button, usually recessed into the back of the router so you cannot press it by accident. Use a straightened paperclip or a pen to hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, the password will be whatever is printed on the sticker — you will have lost any custom password you set.
After a reset, all your devices will disconnect from the network. You will need to reconnect each one using the default password from the sticker, then log into the router's settings to create a new custom password if you want one.
Viewing a saved password on Windows
If you are already connected to the WiFi on a Windows computer, you can see the password without touching the router. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Network and Internet" in the left sidebar.
In the Network and Internet window, click "WiFi" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Manage Known Networks". You will see a list of every WiFi network your computer has ever connected to. Find your network name in the list and click on it, then click the "Properties" button that appears.
A new window will open. Scroll down to the "Security" section. You will see a field labeled "Security Key" with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Click the eye icon next to it to reveal the actual password. Write it down carefully, including capital letters and special characters.
Viewing a saved password on Mac
On a Mac, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting "System Settings". Click "WiFi" in the left sidebar. You will see your current network name listed. Click the "Details" button next to it.
In the window that opens, click the "Security" tab at the top. You will see a field labeled "Password" with dots hiding the actual password. Click the eye icon next to it to show the password in plain text. Your Mac may ask you to confirm your computer password before revealing it — this is a security feature. Enter your Mac login password and click "OK".
Checking your internet provider's account or paperwork
If you have not changed your WiFi password since your internet was installed, your provider may have the original password on file. Log into your account on your provider's website — for example, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, AT&T, or Charter Spectrum. Look for a section called "WiFi", "Network", "Devices", or "Internet Settings". Some providers display the current password there; others only show the network name.
If you have your original welcome packet or installation paperwork, the default WiFi name and password are often printed on a card or sticker included in the box. Check any documentation that came with your router or modem.
What to do if you cannot access the router
If the router is in a locked cabinet, mounted high on a wall, or otherwise unreachable, and you cannot view the password on any of your devices, you have two options. You can contact your internet provider's support line and ask them to help you reset the router remotely, or you can ask whoever manages the network (a landlord, office manager, or family member) for the password.
If you own the router and need to reset it but cannot reach the physical reset button, some routers have a reset option in their settings menu. Open a web browser on any connected device and type the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. Log in with the default username and password — often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the sticker. Look for a "Reset" or "Restore Factory Settings" option in the settings menu.
Preventing this problem in the future
Once you have recovered your password, write it down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or a note on your phone. If you change your WiFi password, update your stored copy at the same time.
Consider using a password that is long enough to be find but memorable enough that you will not forget it — something like "BlueSky2024Garden" is stronger than "123456" and easier to remember than a random string. If you do forget it again, you now know exactly where to look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my router delete my internet?
No. Resetting the router returns it to factory settings, which means you lose the custom WiFi password you set, but your internet connection from your provider remains active. You will need to reconnect your devices to the network and may need to set up your custom password again.
Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?
On Windows and Mac, you can only view passwords for networks you have previously connected to and your device remembers. If you have never connected, you will need to access the router directly or contact your internet provider.
What if the password on the router sticker does not work?
The password may have been changed after installation. Try resetting the router to factory defaults using the reset button, which will restore the sticker password. If that does not work, contact your internet provider — they can reset the router remotely or send a technician.
Do I need a password to reset my router?
No. The physical reset button works without any password — it straightforward restores the router to the state it was in when it left the factory. You do not need to log in or know anything about the current settings.
Can someone else see my WiFi password if they are connected to my network?
Not through normal means. A connected device cannot view your password just by being on the network. However, someone with physical access to your router or access to your computer's settings could find it using the steps in this guide.