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This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to recover a forgotten Wi-Fi password using a Windows or Mac computer. You can achieve this by accessing your computer's settings or by logging into the router's configuration page. If neither method works, resetting the router to its factory settings will restore the default password. However, it's important to note that you cannot retrieve Wi-Fi passwords on mobile devices.
Steps
Use the Default Password of the Wi-Fi Router
Determine if you are using the default password of the Wi-Fi router. If you used the default password during the initial setup, you can retrieve it by checking the device or related documentation.
- If you changed the router's password at any point, you will need to use an alternative method.
Check the Wi-Fi router for the password. Most manufacturers print the router's password on a label located on the back or bottom of the device.
- The password is usually near the "SSID" label.
- In most cases, the password will be a long string of numbers and letters, including both uppercase and lowercase characters.
Look for the password in the manual or packaging of the Wi-Fi router. If you still have the router's box and manual, you can find the login details on a label inside the box, in the manual (or on its back cover), or on a separate card included with the device. This step is only necessary if you cannot locate the default password on the router itself.
- However, you cannot find the router's documentation online because the password is unique to each product.
Try using the password bypass option to connect. Most Wi-Fi routers allow you to connect by pressing the "WPS" button on the back of the device and then selecting the network on your computer, mobile device, receiver, or entertainment system. As long as you select the network within 30 seconds, you will be allowed to connect the computer (or other device) to the network without needing a password.
- Not all routers have this feature, so you may need to check the device's documentation (either physical or online) to see if it supports WPS (short for "Wi-Fi Protected Setup").
- This step won't help you retrieve the Wi-Fi password, but it will allow you to connect to the internet on a previously connected device, enabling you to find the password using one of the following methods.
Find the Password on a Windows Computer
- This method only works if you are currently connected to the Wi-Fi network for which you've forgotten the password.
- If you see a computer screen icon next to a cable, you are connected to the router via Ethernet. You cannot use an Ethernet connection to retrieve the Wi-Fi password.
Click on the Network & Internet settings link at the bottom of the Wi-Fi menu.
Click on the Wi-Fi tab on the left side of the Settings window.
Click on Change adapter options. This link is located at the top-right corner of the Wi-Fi page, just below the "Related settings" heading. After clicking, the Control Panel window will open.
Click on your current Wi-Fi network. You will see a computer screen icon next to green bars on this page; this represents your current network.
Click on View status of this connection. This option is located below the address bar at the top of the Network Connections window.
Click on
Wireless Properties in the middle of the window.
Click on the Security tab at the top of the window. This will open a page with the "Network security key" field near the middle, where your password is stored.
Check the "Show characters" box below the "Network security key" field. The black dots in the "Network security key" field will now change to display your Wi-Fi password.
Find the Password on a Mac
- On a Mac, you do not need to be connected to the Wi-Fi network to retrieve the Wi-Fi password.
Click on Go in the menu options at the top-left corner of the Mac screen.
Click on Utilities in the displayed Go menu.
Double-click on the Keychain Access application with the key icon in the Utilities folder.
Find and double-click on the network name. This is the name you see when your Mac connects to the Wi-Fi network.
- You can sort the Keychain list alphabetically by clicking on the Name group near the top of the Keychain window.
Check the "Show password" box near the bottom of the network window.
Enter the administrator password when prompted. This is the password you use to log into your Mac. Once you enter the correct administrator password, the Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the password field.
Use the Wi-Fi Router's Configuration Page
Connect your computer to the Wi-Fi router via Ethernet. If you don't know your Wi-Fi password and your computer isn't connected to the internet, Ethernet is the only way to establish a connection.
- On a Mac, you'll need to purchase an Ethernet-to-USB-C (or Thunderbolt 3) adapter before you can connect an Ethernet cable.
- If Ethernet isn't an option, you'll need to reset the Wi-Fi router to restore its default settings.
Find the IP address of the Wi-Fi router. To access the router's configuration page, you need to know its IP address:
- Windows - Open Start, click on the gear icon Settings, select Network & Internet, then View your network properties, and look for the address next to "Default gateway".
- Mac - Open the Apple menu, click on System Preferences, select Network, choose Advanced, click on the TCP/IP tab, and find the number next to "Router:".
- Common router IP addresses include 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1, and 10.0.0.1 for Apple routers.
- For some routers, the IP address is often found on a label on the side of the device.
Access the Wi-Fi router's configuration page. Open your preferred web browser and enter the router's IP address into the address bar.
- You can use any web browser to complete this step.
Log into the Wi-Fi router's configuration page. After entering the correct address, you may be prompted to enter a username and password; if so, use the router's login credentials. These are different from the credentials used to connect to the Wi-Fi network.
- The default username is often admin, and the default password is usually admin, password, or left blank. Most users change these credentials after setting up the router; however, if you can't remember them, you'll need to reset the router.
- If the default credentials haven't been changed, you can find them in the device's documentation or on the router itself.
Navigate to the "Wireless" section. Once logged into the router's configuration page, look for the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section. This is usually found by clicking on a tab at the top of the page or within a menu.
- The interface of each router's configuration page may vary, so you might need to browse through a few menus.
- The Wi-Fi password might also be displayed at the top of the router's settings page.
Locate the password. On the "Wireless" page, you'll see your network's name (SSID) as well as the security or encryption type (such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, or WPA/WPA2). Near the security settings, you'll find a field labeled "Passphrase" or "Password". This is your Wi-Fi password.
Reset the Wi-Fi Router
Know when to use this method. If you can't retrieve your Wi-Fi password using the methods outlined in this article, your Wi-Fi password cannot be recovered, and you'll need to reset the router.
- Resetting the router won't recover your current password, but it will restore the default password printed on the bottom or back of the device.
- Resetting the router will also disconnect all devices from the wireless network. For this reason, you should only reset the router as a last resort.
Locate the "Reset" button on the Wi-Fi router. This button is usually found on the back of the device. You may need a paperclip or pin to press the "Reset" button.
Press and hold the "Reset" button for at least 30 seconds to ensure the router is fully reset.
- The lights on the router will blink or turn off momentarily as the device resets.
Find the default login credentials for the Wi-Fi router. These are usually located on the bottom of the device and include:
- Network name or SSID — The default name of the network you'll see in the Wi-Fi menu.
- Password or Key — The default password for the network.
Connect to the network. When entering the password, use the default password printed on the bottom of the router.
- You can change the password before connecting to the internet.
Tips
- If resetting your password, create a strong password using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Ensure the password is not based on personal information.
Warnings
- Do not attempt to retrieve passwords for networks you do not intend to use.
- You cannot recover Wi-Fi passwords on mobile platforms.
