How to find or change your WIFI Password in your Router

Your WIFI password or Key as it is called, is located in the settings of your router and printed on the bottom of the router.

 

If you need to change the Password:

Step one:  Connect a computer to the Router by Ethernet Cable: (these procedures can not be done over the WIFI link)

 

router

 

Step two: On the computer open up the Command Prompt.

Click on Start then on All Programs then on Accessories.  In Accessories click on Command Prompt. Another way is to click on Run and type CMD or just type CMD in the Search Field above the Start Button on Windows 7.   In Windows 8, just type CMD then click on CMD when the window pops up.

 

Step three:   Once in the command prompt type  ipconfig and press enter. A window similar to this will open:

ipconfig

Look in the section "Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection"  and take note of the Default Gateway IP Address. In this example the IP address is 192.168.178.1.

That is the IP address of the Router.

Close the Command Prompt by typing Exit.

Step four: Open a Browser and in the address field type in the IP address of the Router and press enter. You will then see a window similar to this one.  Yours will be different because each brand of router is slightly different.

Enter the User Name and Password of the router. This password is NOT the same as the WIFI password. It is just an administrator password to allow access to the routers settings. In most cases the user name will be admin and the password will also be admin or just blank.

dlink624

Here is a list of the common User Names, Passwords and IP address

3Com - 192.168.1.1 - admin - admin

D-Link - 192.168.0.1 - admin - leave blank

Linksys - 192.168.15.1 - admin - admin

Netgear - 192.168.0.1 - admin - password

This Web Page -- has a list of all the routers: http://www.routerpasswords.com

If you can't get past this point, that means someone has changed the password from the default password and you have to reset the router to factory defaults.   To reset the router, get a paper clip and insert it in a tiny hole on the rear or side of the router while the router is on.  Hold it in for several seconds until the lights start to blink.  This will reset all the routers settings, including removing the WIFI password and encryption.

Step Five:  Once you get into the routers settings, go to the Wireless section. It will look something like this:

 

dlink624

This example is for a Dlink and the password is not visible, just the black dots.  In this case it is called a Passphrase and you can change it.  Take a look at the settings and make sure you understand them.   Turn on the Radio if it is not already on.  The SSID is the identification name of your WIFI signal that people see when picking a WIFI to log on to.  Put in a unique name.

For security pick WPA-PSK and give it a good key or passphrase.   Write it down so you don't forget it.

This is an example of the Linksys router setup page. Here you can actually see the Key (no black dots).

Linksys6

Apply or save the changes and your all finished.

 

How to view a WIFI password you previously connected to

Windows 11 automatically saves the Wi-Fi password when you connect your Windows 11 PC to a new Wi-Fi network by typing in the password, so that users can easily connect to the Wi-Fi network again without remembering the password.

There is a setting in Windows 11 that will allow you to view previous connections.

Go to SETTINGS > Network & Internet > WIFI (expand this section - click the arrow > on the far right) > Manage Known Networks (expand this section) >

In the Manage Know Networks section you will see a list of SSIDs (WIFI networks you have previously connected to).

Expand the SSID you want to see the password for.

On the top line of this section you will see "Wifi Network Password" Click on SHOW

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