Your Wi-Fi password helps prevent people nearby from connecting to your home internet without permission. Changing it can be useful if you have shared the password with visitors, think someone else may know it, or simply want a fresh password that is easier for your household to manage.
The exact steps depend on your internet provider and the make of your router. A router is the device that creates your home Wi-Fi network. You can usually change its password through your internet provider’s app or the router’s settings page.
Before you begin: Changing your Wi-Fi password will disconnect devices that use the old one. Make sure you can access the new password so you can reconnect your own phones, computers, TVs, and other devices.
1. Check how your router is managed
First, identify your router or Wi-Fi equipment. Look for the brand name and model number on a label on the device. Do not share a photo of the label publicly, because it may show network details or other information you should keep private.
If your internet provider supplied the router, check whether it has an app or online account for managing home Wi-Fi. Many providers let customers change the network name and password in their app.
If you use your own router, the manufacturer’s app or the router’s administration page may provide these settings. The administration page is a private settings screen for managing the router.
2. Find the Wi-Fi settings in your provider’s app
If your provider offers an app, this is often the simplest way to make the change.
- Open your internet provider’s official app.
- Sign in to the account used to manage your home internet.
- Look for a section named Wi-Fi, Internet, Network, or Manage Wi-Fi.
- Select your home network.
- Look for Password, Wi-Fi password, or Edit network.
The wording and location of these options vary between providers. If you cannot find them, search the provider’s official help pages for your router model and the phrase “change Wi-Fi password.”
Screenshot suggestion: Show a generic provider-app Wi-Fi settings screen with the network name and password hidden.
3. Open your router’s settings page
If you do not have a provider app, you may be able to use a web browser to open the router’s settings page.
- Connect a phone or computer to your home network. If Wi-Fi is unavailable, some routers allow a wired Ethernet connection.
- Open a web browser.
- Enter the router’s management address in the address bar. This address is often printed on the router label or included in its setup guide.
- Sign in using the router’s administrator details.
Do not guess passwords repeatedly. The router’s administrator password is different from the Wi-Fi password on many devices. If you changed the administrator password in the past, use the one you set.
If you cannot find the correct management address or sign-in details, check the router manufacturer’s or internet provider’s official instructions. Avoid third-party websites that ask you to install unknown software to manage your router.
4. Change the Wi-Fi password
Once you have opened the Wi-Fi settings, look for the network name and password fields. The network name may be called Wi-Fi name, Network name, or SSID. SSID is simply the technical name for a wireless network.
- Open the section for Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Wireless Settings.
- Select the network you want to update.
- Find the field labelled Password, Wi-Fi password, Network key, or Passphrase.
- Enter your new password.
- Select Save, Apply, or the equivalent button.
Some routers have separate settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. These are two radio frequencies that devices can use to connect. If your router shows separate networks and passwords, check whether you need to update both.
If your router offers one combined network name for both bands, you may only need to change one password. Follow the instructions shown by your particular router.
5. Choose a strong password
Choose a password that is difficult for someone else to guess but that you can store securely. A longer passphrase made from several unrelated words can be easier to remember than a short, complicated-looking password.
Avoid using your name, address, phone number, or simple patterns such as 12345678. Do not reuse a password from your email, banking, or other important accounts.
If your router offers a security setting, use WPA3-Personal when all your devices support it. If not, WPA2-Personal (AES) is a widely supported alternative. Avoid outdated options such as WEP.
Security tip: Keep your Wi-Fi password private. Share it only with people you trust, and consider using a guest network for visitors if your router offers one.
6. Save the change and reconnect your devices
After you select Save or Apply, the router may restart its Wi-Fi connection. Your phone or computer may disconnect because it still has the old password saved.
On each device, open its Wi-Fi settings, select your home network, and enter the new password when prompted.
- iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, then Wi-Fi. Select your network and enter the new password if asked.
- Android: Open Settings, then Network & internet or Connections, and choose Wi-Fi. Menu names vary by manufacturer.
- Windows: Select the network icon in the taskbar, choose your home network, and connect using the new password.
- Mac: Open the Wi-Fi menu or go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, select your network, and enter the new password if prompted.
You may also need to update the Wi-Fi details on smart TVs, printers, streaming devices, cameras, and smart-home equipment. Check each device’s own network settings.
7. Check that the new password works
Once your main devices have reconnected, open a website or app to confirm that the internet is working. Test a second device too, if possible.
If you have both a main and a guest network, check which one you changed. The guest network may have its own separate name and password.
Store the new password in a secure password manager or another private place. If you write it down for household use, keep the note somewhere visitors cannot easily see it.
Troubleshooting: If you cannot change the password
The app does not show Wi-Fi settings. Check that you are signed in to the correct internet account. Some providers require the account holder to make network changes. You can also consult the provider’s support instructions for your router model.
The router settings page will not open. Make sure your phone or computer is connected to the home network. Check the management address printed on the router or in its manual. If the page still will not load, restart your browser and try again.
The administrator login does not work. Check whether the router uses a separate administrator password. If someone previously changed it, the default details on the label may no longer work. Contact your provider or the router manufacturer before considering a factory reset.
Your devices keep rejecting the new password. Check that you are selecting the correct network and entering the password exactly as saved, including capital letters and symbols. You can remove or forget the saved network on the device, then connect again with the new password.
Some devices will not reconnect. Restart the affected device and check that it supports the router’s Wi-Fi security setting. Older devices may not support WPA3, so you may need to use a compatible WPA2 setting if your router provides one.
You are thinking about pressing Reset. Be careful: a factory reset is not the same as changing the Wi-Fi password. It can erase custom router settings and may require you to set up the internet connection again. Ask your provider for help if you cannot sign in.
Keep your home Wi-Fi secure
Changing your Wi-Fi password is a useful way to manage who can connect to your home network. Use a long, unique password, keep your router software up to date, and reconnect your devices with the new details.
If your provider manages the router, its official app or support team is usually the best place to start. Keep the router’s administrator details private too, because they control more than just access to Wi-Fi.
Official help
- Check your internet provider’s official support website for its router-specific instructions.
- Check the router manufacturer’s support website for the model’s user guide and Wi-Fi security settings.
