Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team
Wi-Fi passwords can be difficult to remember, especially when your devices have been successfully connected for a very long time. If you've forgotten your Wi-Fi password and need to connect a new device, or reconnect an existing device, this guide will take you through ways to retrieve the credentials you need.
Sometimes routers have their Wi-Fi passwords stored on a sticker. Other times, computers or devices that were previously connected to your Wi-Fi network can allow you to retrieve the Wi-Fi password from them. In some cases, you can even access your router's web interface to retrieve the information you need.
In order to connect to a wireless network, you must have the required credentials. These are:
Most wireless routers/gateways have a label with the default credentials. If the credentials aren't there, look in the devices documentation.
If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) installed the wireless router or gateway, they might have left you a setup sheet which may have the credentials.
You need to be logged on as an administrator and you have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network in order to retrieve its password.
You need to be logged on as an administrator in order to retrieve Wi-Fi password.
To access any router's web-based administrative interface, you need to have a device connected to the router in question. This can be a connection via Wi-Fi, or via a direct ethernet connection to the back of the router itself. Computers that are typically only used wirelessly can normally be plugged directly into your router temporarily, provided that your machine came equipped with an ethernet port. Once you have a device that is connected to your router, we can determine how to log in and attempt to retrieve the Wi-Fi credentials we need.
In order to provide you with the most specific steps, please specify the type of device you are currently using.
To get your router's IP address:
It should be a string of numbers separated by 3 periods, E.g. 192.168.1.1
Now that you know your router's IP address, you can attempt to access the web interface.
If you do not know the username and password for your router's web interface, chances are it is still set to the default. In most cases the default credentials are listed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. If they are not, consult your router's user manual, search on the support site or contact the manufacturer.
Your router's interface will vary depending on the make and model, but this general process should be the same on most routers.
The IP address will be a string of numbers separated by 3 periods, E.g. 192.168.1.1
It should be a string of numbers separated by 3 periods, E.g. 192.168.1.1
It should be a string of numbers separated by 3 periods, E.g. 192.168.1.1