How to Find & Change WiFi Password on Windows 11

This guide shows you how to locate your current Wi‑Fi password on a Windows 11 PC and how to change the Wi‑Fi password for your network. Changing the password is done on your router’s settings page, not in Windows, but you can use your PC to access that page. You’ll need administrator access on your PC and, for changing the password, the router’s admin login credentials (usually printed on the router).

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC connected to the Wi‑Fi network you want to manage.
• Administrator rights on that PC (to view saved passwords).
• Router admin username and password (often “admin” and “admin” or printed on a sticker).
• If you’re changing the password, you’ll also need to reconnect all your devices afterward.

Step-by-Step

Part 1: Find Your Current Wi‑Fi Password

1. Open Settings. Press Windows + I or click the Start button and select the gear icon.
2. Go to Network & Internet. In the left sidebar, click “Network & Internet.”
3. Open Wi‑Fi properties. Click “Wi‑Fi” in the right pane, then click “Hardware properties” (or “Properties” depending on your view).
4. View the password. Scroll down to the “Wi‑Fi security” section. Check the box next to “Show characters.” The password appears in the “Network security key” field.

If that doesn’t work (some builds hide the option), use the classic Control Panel method:

5. Open Control Panel. Type “Control Panel” in the Start search and press Enter.
6. Go to Network and Sharing Center. Change the view to “Large icons” or “Small icons” if needed, then click “Network and Sharing Center.”
7. Click your Wi‑Fi connection. Next to “Connections,” click the blue link that says your Wi‑Fi network name (e.g., “Wi‑Fi” or “MyNetwork”).
8. Open Wireless Properties. In the Wi‑Fi Status window, click “Wireless Properties.”
9. Show the password. Go to the “Security” tab, check “Show characters,” and the password appears in the “Network security key” field.

Part 2: Change Your Wi‑Fi Password (via Router)

1. Find your router’s IP address. Open Command Prompt (type “cmd” in Start), run ipconfig, and look for “Default Gateway” under your active adapter. It’s usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
2. Log in to your router. Open a browser (Edge, Chrome, etc.), type that IP address in the address bar, and press Enter. Enter the router’s admin username and password. If you don’t know them, check the router’s label or manual. Common defaults are “admin”/“admin” or “admin”/“password”.
3. Locate the wireless settings. Look for a section named “Wireless,” “Wi‑Fi,” or “WLAN.” It may be under “Advanced Settings.”
4. Find the password field. Look for “Wireless Security,” “Security,” or “Pre‑Shared Key.” The field is often labeled “WPA2-PSK” or “Passphrase.”
5. Enter a new password. Type a strong password (at least 8 characters, mix of letters, numbers, symbols). Avoid common words or personal info.
6. Save and apply. Click “Save,” “Apply,” or “OK.” The router may reboot, and all devices will be disconnected.
7. Reconnect your devices. After the router restarts, connect your PC and other devices using the new password.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing “change” with “view.” Windows only lets you view the saved password, not change the router’s password. You must log into the router to change it.
• Using the wrong router IP. Some routers use 192.168.0.1, 192.168.2.1, or 10.0.0.1. Check your Default Gateway carefully.
• Forgetting to save the router settings. If you close the browser without clicking “Save,” the change won’t apply.
• Entering the password with extra spaces. Windows and routers treat spaces as characters. Copy the password exactly.
• Not checking the security type. If your router uses WEP (very old), the password length is limited (10 or 26 hex characters). Most modern routers use WPA2 or WPA3.

Tips

• Use a password manager to store your Wi‑Fi password so you don’t have to remember it.
• Change the router admin password too, not just the Wi‑Fi password, to keep your network secure.
• Update the router firmware if you have trouble accessing the settings page.
• Write the new password down and keep it in a safe place until all devices are reconnected.
• If you’re using a work or school PC, you may not have admin rights to view saved passwords. Use a personal device instead.

Troubleshooting

I can’t see the “Show characters” checkbox. This happens if you’re not an administrator. Try the Control Panel method, or log in with an admin account. If that fails, you can use the command line: open Command Prompt as admin and run netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetwork" key=clear. Look for “Key Content” in the output.

I can’t log into the router. First, make sure you’re connected to the network (via Ethernet or Wi‑Fi). If the default admin password doesn’t work, check the router’s manual or the manufacturer’s website. If you’ve changed it and forgotten, you may need to reset the router to factory defaults (usually a small pinhole button) – but that will erase all your settings.

The router page won’t load. Try a different browser, or use a wired Ethernet connection. Also check that you typed the IP correctly (no “https://” in front). If the IP doesn’t work, try 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1.

After changing the password, my PC won’t connect. Windows may still be trying the old password. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi, click “Manage known networks,” select your network, and click “Forget.” Then reconnect and enter the new password.

I don’t know my router’s IP. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Hardware properties. The “Default gateway” is your router’s IP. If you’re using Ethernet, check the Ethernet properties instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Wi‑Fi password from Windows 11?

No, Windows doesn’t have a built-in way to change the router’s Wi‑Fi password. You must access your router’s settings via a web browser, as described above.

Why can’t I see the “Show characters” box?

You need administrator privileges. If you’re on a work or school PC, you may not have them. Try the Command Prompt method or use a personal device.

What is the default router admin password?

It varies by brand. Common defaults are “admin”/“admin”, “admin”/“password”, or blank. Check the label on your router or its manual. If it’s been changed, you may need to reset the router.

Will changing my Wi‑Fi password disconnect my devices?

Yes, all devices that were connected to that Wi‑Fi network will be disconnected. You’ll need to enter the new password on each device.

How do I find my Wi‑Fi password if I’m not connected?

You can use the Command Prompt method (netsh wlan show profile) only if the profile is saved on the PC. If you’ve never connected, you’ll need to log into the router to see the password.

Is it safe to share my Wi‑Fi password?

Sharing your Wi‑Fi password gives others access to your network. It’s generally safe for trusted guests, but you can also set up a guest network with a separate password for visitors.

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