How to Change Your Wi-Fi Name and Password

Why change your Wi-Fi name and password

Changing the Wi-Fi network name, also called the SSID, and the passphrase is one of the most useful router tasks. A custom name makes it easy to spot your home network, and a fresh password keeps people who should not be on your network out. The process is the same whether you have a single router or a mesh Wi-Fi system.

If you never changed the defaults, your router may still use a generic name and a passphrase printed on a label. That is fine if only you know the label, but a personalized passphrase is easier to remember and harder to share by accident. For more background on what the network name means, see SSID explained.

Log in to the router admin page

You change the Wi-Fi name and password inside the router's settings. The settings page is called the admin page, and it can usually be opened from a web browser or from the manufacturer's companion app. If your router is managed by an app, start there, because the app will walk you through the same fields.

To use a browser, connect your computer or phone to the router over Wi-Fi or with an Ethernet cable. Then enter the router's IP address in the address bar. The IP address is often printed on the router label or shown in your device's network settings. This is the same address you need for logging into the router admin page and is covered in more detail in how to find the router IP address.

You will be asked for the administrator username and password. This is not the same as your Wi-Fi password unless you previously set them to the same value. Keep the admin password in a safe place, because it controls every setting on the router. If you forgot it and the default no longer works, you may need to reset the router to factory defaults.

Change the network name (SSID)

Once inside the settings, look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Network. The field that controls the network name is usually labeled SSID, Network Name, or Wi-Fi Name. Your router may offer separate fields for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and for the 6 GHz band on newer routers. If you set different names, devices will appear as separate networks. If you use the same name on every band, many devices will treat them as one network and switch between bands automatically. For a closer look at one-name versus many-name setups, see one SSID vs multiple SSIDs.

On a mesh system, the app normally uses one SSID for all satellites. Changing the name in the app updates every unit at once, which is one reason many homes choose a mesh system.

Type the new name exactly as you want it to appear. Avoid using your full street address, phone number, or last name if you want to keep your home less identifiable. Spaces and some symbols are allowed on many routers, but a short, clear name is usually easier to find in the list of nearby networks.

Choose a strong password and security mode

The second field you will change is the Wi-Fi passphrase, sometimes called the network key, password, or security key. This is what devices use to join your network. A strong passphrase should be long and not something someone could guess. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publishes cybersecurity guidance and password recommendations, and router makers build their settings pages around the same idea: use a long, unique passphrase.

You should also pick the strongest security mode your router supports. Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that certifies Wi-Fi products, makes WPA3 mandatory for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices. WPA3 gives users increased protections from password guessing attempts and requires Protected Management Frames. If your router offers WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 transition mode, choose it. See WPA3 explained and how to enable WPA3 on your router.

Do not leave the network as an open network with no password. Open networks give anyone nearby access and send your traffic without encryption. Wi-Fi Enhanced Open provides encryption for public hotspots, but for your home network you want a passphrase that only you and your household know. If you need a separate network for visitors, use the guest network feature.

Save and reconnect your devices

After you change the SSID and passphrase, save the settings. The router may restart or drop the Wi-Fi connection for a minute. That is normal. Once the router comes back, the old network name should disappear from your device lists, and the new name should appear.

Every device that was connected to the old Wi-Fi will need to join the new network. On your phone or laptop, open the Wi-Fi settings, select the new SSID, and enter the new passphrase. If a device does not show the network, turn its Wi-Fi off and on again or restart the device. Smart home devices and older gadgets sometimes need a more deliberate reconnect; see how to reconnect a device that will not connect.

If you kept the same SSID and only changed the password, many devices will try to keep using the saved passphrase and will fail. You still need to update the saved password on each device. If you changed the SSID as well, the old profile is stale and you can forget the old network on your devices to avoid confusion.

After reconnecting, run a speed test on a phone near the router to confirm the network is working. The router may need a few minutes to finish applying the changes, and a quick router reboot can help if anything appears stuck.

What to do if you cannot log in

If the admin page does not open or you cannot remember the admin password, do not panic. First, double-check the router IP address. The address is often printed on the router itself, and the process is explained in a previous section.

If you have already tried the default admin password and it does not work, you can reset the router to factory defaults. A factory reset clears all wireless settings, including the SSID and passphrase, and restores the router to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. After the reset, log in using the default admin credentials printed on the label, then set a new SSID and passphrase. Follow the guide on factory resetting a router to avoid losing any settings you want to keep.

If you are using an ISP-provided router and cannot log in, contact the ISP for the correct admin address or ask them to reset the router remotely. Some ISPs put the admin controls in their own app, so check that app before doing a hard reset.

What to pick for your use

Questions

How do I find the router's IP address?

Look for a sticker on the router body. The IP address is often listed as the default gateway or access address. You can also find it in your device's network settings; on Windows look under the active connection's details, and on a phone look in the Wi-Fi network details.

What is the default admin password?

The default admin password is usually printed on a label on the router, often next to the username. It may be listed as 'admin password', 'web password', or 'login password'. If that password does not work, someone may have changed it and a factory reset will restore the default.

Will changing my Wi-Fi password kick everyone off?

Yes, every device currently connected to the Wi-Fi network will be disconnected when you change the passphrase or the network name. You will need to enter the new password on each device once. Wired Ethernet connections are not affected.

Should I use the same SSID for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?

Using the same SSID on both bands is usually the best choice for home users. It lets your phone and laptop move between bands when the signal changes, and it makes the network name list cleaner. If you prefer manual control over which band each device uses, separate names work, but they require more maintenance.

What should I do if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?

If you are already connected to the network, you can view the saved passphrase from your computer's Wi-Fi settings or from the router admin page. If you cannot get into the admin page and no device still connects, a factory reset will clear the old password so you can set a new one.

Is WPA3 better than WPA2?

Yes. WPA3 provides increased protections from password guessing attempts and is required for new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices. It also requires Protected Management Frames, which add protection to the network. If your router and devices support WPA3, use it. The Wi-Fi Alliance describes WPA3 as the latest security technology in the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED program.