How to Change Your Wi-Fi Network’s Name and Password

If you do not like the name and password of the Wi-Fi network with your router, you can change them to anything you want with just a few clicks.

Your Wi-Fi router comes with a default network name and password. Often, both are printed on the router itself. Changing your usual network name allows you to use something more personalized than "NETGEAR30" or "Linksys". You can also use an easy password to remember. To do all of this, you need to access the administration interface of your router. To do that, you first need to find the local IP address of your router on your network. Here's how.

Step One: Find Your Router’s IP Address

Most routers provide a web-based administrative interface that can be accessed through your browser by typing the router's local IP address. Your first step is to find that IP address.

Note: Some routers provide different admin interfaces. For example, if you have an Apple airport router, you can use your Mac's "airport utility" to change its settings. Other routers are offering smartphone apps to change the settings, and more expensive routers have begun to include built-in touchscreens. So be sure to check the specific instructions for your router.

The chances of you needing a browser to access your router are high. Since most routers do not have a mobile-optimized web interface that works well on smartphones and tablets, it is best to do this with a computer.

On a computer running any version of Windows, the quickest way to find this information is to run a command prompt. To open it, press Windows + R, type “cmd” and press Enter.

At the command prompt, type the ipconfig command and press Enter. In the results, search for the partition that displays your current network connection. The IP address of the router appears to the right of the "Default Gateway" entry.

On macOS, click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences". In the System Preferences window, click the "Network" icon, select your Wi-Fi or Wired Ethernet connection, and then click "Advanced".

Switch to the "TCP / IP" tab and look for the router's address to the right of the "router".

Step Two: Access the Web Interface

Next, you need to access the web interface of your router. Open the browser of your choice and type the IP address you found in the address box and press Enter.

You will be asked to enter the router's username and password to login. If you have not changed them previously, you will be using the default login credentials.

If you are not sure what these are, you can experiment a bit. Often, the default password is "admin" or empty. On some routers, you may want to enter the username as "Administrator" and an empty password, "Administrator" as the username and password, or "Administrator" as the password for the username.

If you cannot identify your credentials, you can look for them. Your router's manual may contain information - most routers include a PDF manual than a printed manual. You can also try to do a web search for the "default password" and the format of your router. You can try to access this page, which presents a list of default usernames and passwords for different routers.

Also, if you have set a custom password but cannot remember it, you must reset your router to its default settings.

Step Three: Change the Wi-Fi Network Name and Password

After logging into your router, look for Wi-Fi settings. Depending on your router, these may be on the first page you see, or are buried in a section such as "Wi-Fi", "Wireless" or "Wireless Networks." Click around and you'll find it.

You will see a setting such as "SSID" or "network name". These are the same thing - the name of your wireless network.

To change your Wi-Fi password, search for settings such as "password," "password," "wireless key" or "WPA-PSK key." Different routers use different names. We recommend using a slightly longer wireless password or using a phrase instead of a single word. While you're here, go ahead and make sure you're using the most secure authentication method available.

After entering your new Wi-Fi network name and password, you need to click the "Apply", "Save" or similar button to save your settings.

If you connect to your router's web interface via Wi-Fi, your device will disconnect when the router closes its old Wi-Fi network and brings in a new one. Some routers need to be restarted completely to apply the new settings, so you may lose connection with the router even if you are on a wired connection.

Once the router settings are changed, you must reconnect all your wireless devices to the newly named wireless network and provide a new Wi-Fi password. Your devices won't be able to connect until you do.

Conclusion

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