How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password

Changing your Wi-Fi password is one of the most common router tasks. You should do it when you suspect someone unauthorized is on your network, after sharing the Wi-Fi password with temporary guests, after a technician has set up your internet, or if the current Wi-Fi password is weak or widely known.

The process is the same on every router: log in to the admin panel, find the wireless settings, change the Wi-Fi password, save. The specifics of where that setting lives vary by brand.

Log In to Your Router Admin Panel

Make sure your device is connected to the router’s local network (LAN) via Wi-Fi or Ethernet before attempting to access the admin panel. Open a browser and type your router’s IP address in the address bar. Most routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, and some ISP routers use 10.0.0.1.

Enter the admin username and password. If you have never changed these, the defaults are printed on the router’s label. Common defaults are admin/admin for most brands or admin/password for Netgear. For a full list, see the default router passwords reference.

If you cannot access the login page, check the router login guide for troubleshooting steps.

Change the Wi-Fi Password on TP-Link Routers

Your Wi-Fi password on a TP-Link router is found under the Wireless settings menu. After logging in:

1. Click Wireless in the left menu (older interface) or go to the Basic tab and select Wireless (newer Archer interface).
2. Find the field labeled Password or Wireless Password.
3. Delete the current Wi-Fi password and type your new one.
4. Make sure the Security type is set to WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal, never WEP.
5. Click Save.

On newer TP-Link Archer routers with the teal interface, the path is: Basic > Wireless > Password. On older models with the green interface: Wireless > Wireless Security > WPA/WPA2-Personal > Password.

If your TP-Link router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, you need to change the Wi-Fi password for each band individually unless Smart Connect is enabled (which uses one password for both).

Change the Wi-Fi Password on ASUS Routers

Your Wi-Fi password on an ASUS router is labeled “WPA Pre-Shared Key” in the wireless settings. After logging in at 192.168.1.1 or router.asus.com:

1. Click Wireless in the left sidebar.
2. You will see the General tab with SSID and password fields.
3. Change the WPA Pre-Shared Key field to your new Wi-Fi password.
4. Set Authentication Method to WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal.
5. Click Apply.

ASUS routers show both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands on the same page. Use the band tabs at the top to switch between them. If AiMesh is enabled, the Wi-Fi password change propagates automatically to all mesh nodes.

Change the Wi-Fi Password on Netgear Routers

Your Wi-Fi password on a Netgear router is called “Passphrase” in the security options. After logging in at 192.168.1.1 or routerlogin.net:

1. Go to Wireless or Setup > Wireless Setup.
2. Scroll to the Security Options section.
3. Find the Passphrase or Password field.
4. Enter your new Wi-Fi password.
5. Ensure the security mode is WPA2-PSK [AES] or WPA3-Personal.
6. Click Apply.

On Nighthawk routers, the path may be Settings > Setup > Wireless Setup. Orbi mesh systems manage Wi-Fi password settings through the Wireless tab or through the Nighthawk/Orbi app.

Change the Wi-Fi Password on Linksys Routers

Your Wi-Fi password on a Linksys router is found under Wi-Fi Settings or Wireless Security. After logging in at 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local:

1. Go to Wi-Fi Settings (on the smart router interface) or Wireless > Wireless Security (classic interface).
2. Change the Wi-Fi Password field.
3. Set security mode to WPA2/WPA3 Mixed or WPA2 Personal.
4. Click Apply or Save.

Linksys Velop mesh systems require the Linksys app for initial setup, but you can change the Wi-Fi password through either the app or the web interface after setup is complete.

Choosing a Strong Wi-Fi Password

A weak Wi-Fi password lets neighbors and strangers use your bandwidth, monitor your traffic, and access shared files on your network. Here is what makes a strong Wi-Fi password:

Length matters most. Use at least 12 characters. Every additional character multiplies the time needed to crack it. A 16-character Wi-Fi password is exponentially harder to break than an 8-character one.

Mix character types. Combine uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Tr33House!Rain42 is far stronger than treehouse.

Avoid the obvious. Do not use your address, phone number, birthday, pet’s name, or “password123.” These are the first things an attacker tries.

Use a passphrase. String together unrelated words with numbers and symbols: Coffee$Lamp77Bridge!. Easy to remember, hard to crack.

Security protocol matters too. Always use WPA2-Personal (AES) at minimum. WPA3-Personal is better if all your devices support it. Never use WEP, as it can be cracked in minutes. Never use WPA (TKIP), as it has known vulnerabilities. If your router shows “WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode,” that is a good choice for compatibility.

What Happens After You Change the Password

Every device on your network will disconnect when you save the new Wi-Fi password. This includes:

• Phones and tablets
• Laptops and desktops connected via Wi-Fi
• Smart TVs and streaming devices (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV)
• Smart home devices (cameras, doorbells, smart plugs, thermostats)
• Game consoles
• Printers

Devices connected via Ethernet cable are not affected.

You will need to reconnect each device manually. On phones and laptops, go to Wi-Fi settings, select your network, and enter the new Wi-Fi password. The device will save it and reconnect automatically in the future.

Smart home devices can be more tedious. Most IoT devices require you to open their companion app, go to device settings, and update the Wi-Fi password. Some may need to be reset and set up again from scratch. Before changing your Wi-Fi password, make a mental note of how many smart devices you have. It is easy to forget about a smart plug or sensor tucked away in a closet.

Tip: If you have many smart home devices, consider putting them on a separate guest network with its own password. When you change your main Wi-Fi password, the guest network stays the same, and your smart devices stay connected.

Updating Devices with the New Password

After changing your Wi-Fi password, work through your devices systematically:

Phones and tablets. Settings > Wi-Fi > tap your network name > enter new Wi-Fi password. Both iOS and Android will prompt for the password when they detect the saved network has changed.

Windows laptops. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, select your network, click Connect, enter the new Wi-Fi password. If Windows keeps trying the old password, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks, forget the network, then reconnect.

Mac. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, select your network. macOS will prompt for the new password. If it does not, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, click the (i) next to your network, click “Forget This Network,” then reconnect.

Smart TVs. Go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi, select your network, enter the new Wi-Fi password. On Samsung TVs: Settings > General > Network > Open Network Settings. On LG TVs: Settings > All Settings > Connection > Network.

Smart speakers (Alexa, Google Home). Open the Alexa app or Google Home app, go to device settings, and update the Wi-Fi network. These devices cannot prompt you directly, so you must use the app.

Printers. Most Wi-Fi printers have a small screen or control panel. Go to Network Settings > Wireless Setup and enter the new Wi-Fi password. HP printers can also be reconfigured through the HP Smart app.

Once all devices are reconnected, verify your internet works on each one. Open a browser and load a webpage. If a device connects to Wi-Fi but has no internet, forget the network and reconnect. If the problem persists, reboot the router.