You need to connect a new device or smart device to your home Wi-Fi network, but you can't seem to remember the password. You swore you wrote it down somewhere, but the little sticky notes are so easy to lose. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about forgetting old passwords or usernames. There are so many accounts to keep track of in the hustle and bustle of modern life – it's amazing how people can memorize so many things without a password manager. Don't worry, we've got you covered. This guide will help you find and reset your Wi-Fi password.
Forgot your Wi-Fi password? find it again
It is relatively similar on both Windows and Mac. The only problem is that you will need administrator privileges on both to see the hidden password.
for windows
Open the list of wireless networks in Control Panel.
Right-click on a saved Wi-Fi network and select Status.
Click the Wireless Properties button.
Now select the Security tab and click on the Show Characters option.
for mac
Press Command + Space together to open the search bar (this button shortcut will help you find any of your apps). Type "Keychain Access".
Select the Passwords category at the bottom left of the new window.
Press Command + F to find the name of your Wi-Fi network.
Right-click on the name and select Get Info.
Tap the Show password checkbox.
To change your Wifi password (PIN), you need the IP address and the admin login for the router. Once you grab these you will log into Wifi using a browser. Then change the password.
It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your internet security. Here's how to reset your Wi-Fi password to something more secure.
Your Wi-Fi password protects your wireless network from intruders, hackers, and other types of threats. For that reason, your password should be complex enough to be difficult to guess, yet simple enough to remember and use. If your current Wi-Fi password does not meet these standards, you can easily change it. The actual steps will vary depending on the make and model of your router, but the basic process is the same.
The only real downside to changing your Wi-Fi password is that after you reset it, you'll have to log back in to your network from every wireless device in your home, including PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, Blu-ray players. ray, streaming media players, game consoles and other smart home devices. It's a fair amount of work, but if it improves your Wi-Fi security, the results should be worth it.
Log into your router firmware
The first step is to log into your router's firmware. To do this, open your browser and type the IP address of your router in the address field. Most routers are assigned an address of 192.168.1.1. Type that number and press enter. If that's the correct address, you should see a login window asking you to enter the username and password for your router's firmware, which should appear on the router.
If that standard address doesn't work, there's a quick way to find your router's IP address. Type cmd in the Windows 10 search field and open Command Prompt. (In Windows 8.1, right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt.)
With the command prompt open, type ipconfig. Look for the Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter section, depending on how you are connected to the Internet. Look for the Default Gateway entry and use that IP address to connect to your router.
In Windows 10, you can also find your router's IP address through the Settings app. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Click View hardware and connection properties to view details about your various network connections. Under the Ethernet or Wi-Fi entry, look for Default Gateway to find your router's IP address. Type that address into your browser's address field and press Enter. If you're having trouble logging into your router's firmware, especially if you've forgotten your login credentials, check out the steps in this story.
Change your router settings
On your router's firmware home page, select a tab that says Wireless or something similar. Make sure your security is set to WPA2, currently the strongest level of encryption available for personal Wi-Fi networks (although stronger WPA3 is on the way). Next, look for an entry for your current password.
Type the new password in the corresponding field. Keep in mind the golden rules to create a good password. Make it long enough, use alphanumeric characters and special characters or symbols, and consider a passphrase instead of a conventional password. (If you need help, here are some tips for creating a good password and remembering the longest ones. You can also turn to a random password generator if you need help.)
Click Apply and your settings will be updated. You may be done changing your password, but the real work — logging back into your network on every device in the house — is just beginning.
Get the IP address of your router (web interface only)
All standalone routers and wireless gateways provide a web interface for you to modify settings. However, manufacturers may also provide a mobile app to change the network name, password, and other settings from your phone or tablet.
Use the mobile app, if available, and then skip to the testing part of this guide.
If you are using the web interface, you will first need to discover the private IP address of your router or gateway so that you can enter it into the browser's address bar.
Part 1: Connect wirelessly or with a cable
If you're setting up a new router for the first time, there's usually an Ethernet cable in the box that will allow you to connect a PC directly to your router. This is probably the easiest way to set things up, but sometimes this won't work. Many slim laptops, like MacBooks, don't have Ethernet ports and require a USB adapter for a wired connection to the network. Sometimes it is more convenient to use a phone or other mobile device.
To connect wirelessly, you will need the default network name and password for your router. These can be found in the instruction manual and are sometimes found on the router itself, printed on a sticker or label. The network is often labeled "SSID".
If you are changing settings on a network that is already configured, you do not need this default information and can simply connect to the network with the name and password you normally use.
Get the IP address of your router (web interface only)
All standalone routers and wireless gateways provide a web interface for you to modify settings. However, manufacturers may also provide a mobile app to change the network name, password, and other settings from your phone or tablet.
Use the mobile app, if available, and then skip to the testing part of this guide.
If you are using the web interface, you will first need to discover the private IP address of your router or gateway so that you can enter it into the browser's address bar.
Part 1: Connect wirelessly or with a cable
If you're setting up a new router for the first time, there's usually an Ethernet cable in the box that will allow you to connect a PC directly to your router. This is probably the easiest way to set things up, but sometimes this won't work. Many slim laptops, like MacBooks, don't have Ethernet ports and require a USB adapter for a wired connection to the network. Sometimes it is more convenient to use a phone or other mobile device.
To connect wirelessly, you will need the default network name and password for your router. These can be found in the instruction manual and are sometimes found on the router itself, printed on a sticker or label. The network is often labeled "SSID".
If you are changing settings on a network that is already configured, you do not need this default information and can simply connect to the network with the name and password you normally use.
Part 2 – Find Your Router's Default IP Address
Next, you will need the private IP address of your router. There are several ways to do this, depending on the type of device you're using:
iOS 14/iPadOS 14
Android
windows 10
macOS Big Sur and newer
iOS 14/iPadOS 14
Step 1 – Tap to open Settings.
Step 2 – Tap Wi-Fi.
Step 3 – Tap on your network name.
Step 4 – Write down the number displayed next to the router.
Android 11 (stock)
Step 1 – Swipe down from the top to expand the notification shade and tap the “cog” icon to open the settings panel.
Step 2 – Tap Network & Internet.
Step 3 – Tap Wi-Fi.
Step 4 – Tap on the “cog” icon displayed next to your network name.
Step 5 – Tap on Advanced.
Step 6 – Scroll down and note the number displayed next to Gateway under Network Details.
Android 10/11 (Samsung)
There is no way to find your router's IP address on a Samsung phone, but you can get an idea by using the phone's IP address.
Step 1 – Swipe down from the top to expand the notification shade and tap the “cog” icon to open the settings panel.
Step 2 – Tap on Connections.
Step 3 – Tap Wi-Fi.
Step 4 – Tap on the “cog” icon next to your network name.
Here you will see the IP address of your Samsung phone. Generally, the first three parts refer to the router and the last part is your device. For example, "192.168.7" is your router and "155" is your device.