How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password
Your Wi-Fi password is changed through the router admin panel, not through your phone or laptop settings. The process takes about two minutes on any router brand.
Before You Start
Changing your Wi-Fi password disconnects every device currently connected to your network. Have the new password written down before you begin — you will need to reconnect every phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, printer, game console, and smart home device after making the change. Set aside 10 to 15 minutes to reconnect everything, not just the two minutes the actual change takes.
If you are accessing the router admin panel over Wi-Fi, your browser session will disconnect when you save the new password. Complete the change quickly, then reconnect with the new password and log back in to confirm it saved correctly.
How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password
Open a browser and type http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar. This is the default for most routers. If it does not load, run ipconfig on Windows or ip route show default on Mac/Linux to find your exact gateway address. Enter your admin username and password — factory defaults are printed on the sticker on the bottom of your router.
Find the Wireless section in the main menu or sidebar. On most routers it is labeled Wireless, Wi-Fi, WLAN, or similar. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, you may need to update the password in each band separately — you can use the same password for both for simplicity.
Within the wireless settings, look for a sub-section called Security, Wireless Security, or Security Mode. You will see the current security protocol (WPA2, WPA3, etc.) and a field for the password labeled Password, Passphrase, Network Key, Pre-Shared Key, or WPA Key.
While you are here, confirm the security mode is WPA3 or WPA2-AES (sometimes listed as WPA2-Personal). If it shows WEP or TKIP, change it to WPA2-AES at minimum — WEP was cracked in 2001 and provides no real protection. If you have very old devices that need WEP, it is time to retire them.
Type the new Wi-Fi password in the password field. A strong Wi-Fi password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid dictionary words, your address, pet names, or anything that appears in your personal information. Use our Wi-Fi Password Generator to create a random strong password instantly.
Click Save or Apply. The router will briefly restart its wireless radio, disconnecting all devices. Reconnect each device by selecting your Wi-Fi network from the available networks list and entering the new password. For smart home devices with no keyboard, use the manufacturer's app to reconnect them.
Where to Find the Setting by Router Brand
| Brand | Navigation Path | Login URL |
|---|---|---|
| Netgear | Advanced → Wireless Setup → Passphrase | routerlogin.net |
| TP-Link | Wireless → Wireless Security → Wireless Password | tplinkwifi.net |
| Linksys | Wi-Fi Settings → Security | myrouter.local |
| D-Link | Settings → Wireless → Security Mode → Password | dlinkrouter.local |
| Asus | Wireless → General → WPA Pre-Shared Key | router.asus.com |
| Arris (Comcast) | Gateway → WiFi → Private WiFi Network → Edit | 10.0.0.1 |
| Google Nest | Google Home App → Wi-Fi → Settings → Wifi password | App only |
After Changing the Password
Go through your home and reconnect every Wi-Fi device. Common devices people forget: smart thermostats, robot vacuums, smart plugs and bulbs, security cameras, streaming sticks (Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast), printers, and Wi-Fi-connected appliances. Check your phone's list of connected devices in the router admin panel to confirm everything rejoined successfully.
- Update saved password in your password manager
- Reconnect all smart home devices via their apps
- Update the password on any guest devices you share with
- Write the new password on a label on the router itself
- Check the router connected devices list for anything unexpected
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Wi-Fi password kick off unauthorized users?
Yes — every device that was connected, authorized or not, will be disconnected when the password changes. Only devices that have the new password can reconnect. This is an effective way to remove an unwanted device from your network. If you then set up MAC address filtering, you can prevent unauthorized devices from joining even if they somehow learn the password.
I changed the Wi-Fi password but some devices still connect — how?
This happens when a device remembers the old password through a saved network profile that somehow still matches. More commonly, if you have WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) enabled on the router, a device can reconnect via WPS without needing the password. Disable WPS in the router wireless settings — it has security vulnerabilities anyway. See our WPS guide for details.
My smart home devices won't reconnect after the password change — what do I do?
Smart home devices (cameras, bulbs, plugs, thermostats) typically need to be factory reset and reconfigured through their manufacturer's app when the Wi-Fi password changes. Open each device's app, delete the device, factory reset it (usually a button press), and add it again. It is tedious but unavoidable — smart home devices cannot prompt you to enter a new password the way a phone or laptop can.