How to Change Your Wi-Fi Network Name and Password

Changing your Wi-Fi password improves security and lets you remove old or unknown devices from your network. Here's how to do it from any browser.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Find your router's admin page address
2.Log into the router admin page
3.Find the Wi-Fi settings
4.Change the network name and password
5.Reconnect all your devices

Find your router's admin page address

~29s

Most routers use the address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Type one of these into your browser's address bar (the same bar where you type website addresses) and press Enter. If neither works, check the sticker on the back of your router — it often shows the admin address and default login.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: You can also find your router's address on your computer: Windows — open Command Prompt, type "ipconfig", look for "Default Gateway." Mac — System Settings > Network > your network > Details > "Router" address.

Log into the router admin page

~18s

A login page appears asking for a username and password. These are different from your Wi-Fi password — they're the admin credentials for the router itself. Default values are usually "admin" for both username and password, or "admin" / "password," or they're printed on the router sticker. Check your router's documentation if unsure.

Find the Wi-Fi settings

~15s

Inside the router admin page, look for: "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Wireless Settings," or "SSID Settings." The name varies by router brand (Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, etc.). Click on it to open Wi-Fi settings.

Change the network name and password

~21s

SSID: the name of your Wi-Fi network (what appears in the Wi-Fi list on devices). You can rename it to anything you like — just avoid using your address or last name for privacy. Password/Security Key: change this to something strong — at least 12 characters mixing letters, numbers, and a symbol. Avoid birthdays or names. Click Save or Apply.

Reconnect all your devices

~26s

After saving, your router restarts and all devices disconnect. On each device — phone, tablet, laptop, TV — go to Wi-Fi settings, find your network's new name, and enter the new password. Write the new password on a sticky note inside a kitchen cabinet in case you need it later.

Warning

Don't forget to reconnect smart home devices like security cameras, smart speakers, and smart TVs after changing the password. These devices may need to be set up again in their respective apps.

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Your Wi-Fi password controls who can use your home internet. If you've never changed it since the router was set up, you're probably still using the default password — which is often printed on a sticker on the router itself. Anyone who has ever visited and seen that sticker can still connect to your network.

Changing your Wi-Fi password logs out every device currently connected (including your own — you'll need to reconnect with the new password). It's worth doing once a year as a security practice, or if you've had a houseguest you no longer want to have access.

This process involves logging into your router's admin page through a web browser. It takes about 10 minutes once you have the right information.

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