This wikiHow teaches you how to find a forgotten Wi-Fi password on a Mac or Windows computer. This can be done using the settings menu on your computer, or via the router's settings page (router). If nothing else works, you can reset the router to restore the factory default password. You cannot use a mobile device to find out the network password.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Using the Router's Default Password
Step 1. Find out if the password used is the router default or not
If you used your router's default password when you first set it up, you can usually find the password by looking at your router's manual.
Use another method if you have changed your router password at any time since you used it
Step 2. Check the router device for the password
Most manufacturers put the password on a sticker affixed to the bottom or back of the router.
- Usually the router password is placed near the " SSID " heading.
- In general, router passwords are long strings of letters and numbers, both uppercase and lowercase.
Step 3. Look for the password in the user guide or router box
If you still have the router's manual and packaging box, you may be able to find a copy of the login sticker in the box, in the manual (or on the back cover), or on a separate card that came with the router. This step is only needed if the default password is not pasted on the router machine.
Unfortunately, the router's documentation can't be seen on the internet because the router password is unique and only created for the router model you own
Step 4. Try using the bypass feature on the router to connect to the network
Most routers allow you to connect to a network by pressing the " WPS " button located on the back of the router, then selecting a network on your computer, console, mobile device, or entertainment device. As long as the network is selected within 30 seconds or so, you can connect a computer (or other device) without having to know the password.
- Not all routers have this feature. So check the included manual (or online help pages) to see if your router has a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) feature.
- This step won't work to find out your Wi-Fi password, but it can help you connect your computer to the internet. Once connected, you can run one of the methods described below to find the password.
Method 2 of 5: Finding Password on Windows Computer
Step 1. Click the Wi-Fi icon
Its icon is at the far right of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the Wi-Fi menu.
- This method can only be done if you are currently connected to a Wi-Fi network that has forgotten the password.
- If there is an icon shaped like a computer monitor with a cable next to it, you are connected to the router via Ethernet. You cannot use an ethernet connection to find out the Wi-Fi password.
Step 2. Click the Network & Internet settings link at the bottom of the Wi-Fi menu
Step 3. Click Wi-Fi
This tab is located on the left side of the Settings window.
Step 4. Select Change adapter options
This link is in the upper-right corner of the Wi-Fi page, under the "Related settings" heading. Doing so will open the Control Panel page.
Step 5. Click the Wi-Fi network you are currently using
On this page, there is a monitor-shaped icon with several green bars next to it. This is your current network.
Step 6. Click View status of this connection
It's below the address bar at the top of the Network Connections window.
Step 7. Click on Wireless Properties located in the middle of the window
Step 8. Click Security
This tab is at the top of the window. This will open a page with a "Network security key" column in the middle of the page. The password is stored in this column.
Step 9. Check the “Show characters” box located under the “Network security key” column
The black dots in the "Network security key" field will change to the Wi-Fi password.
Method 3 of 5: Finding Password on Mac Computer
Step 1. Run Finder
Do this by clicking the Finder icon that looks like the blue face on your Mac's dock.
On a Mac, you can find your Wi-Fi password without having to connect to a Wi-Fi network
Step 2. Click Go
This menu is in the row of menus in the upper-left side of the Mac computer screen.
Step 3. Click Utilities
This option is located in the drop-down menu Go.
Step 4. Double-click Keychain Access
This key-shaped application is in the Utilities folder.
Step 5. Find your network name, then double click the network
This name appears when your Mac computer is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
If you want to sort the Keychain list alphabetically, click category Name located at the top of the Keychain window.
Step 6. Check the box "Show password"
The box is at the bottom of the network window.
Step 7. Type in the administrator password when prompted
This is the password used to log in to the Mac. If you entered the administrator password correctly, the computer will display the Wi-Fi network password in the password field.
Method 4 of 5: Using the Router Page
Step 1. Connect the computer to the router via ethernet
If the password is unknown and the computer is not yet connected to the internet, the only way you can connect is via ethernet.
- If you're using a Mac, you'll likely need to purchase an Ethernet to USB-C (or Thunderbolt 3) adapter to plug the Ethernet cable into your computer.
- If using an ethernet cable is not possible, you will need to reset the router to default settings.
Step 2. Find the router's IP address
You must know the router's IP address in order to access the router's page. How to get the IP address:
- Windows - Open Start, click icon Settings gear-shaped, choose Network & Internet, choose View your network properties, then look at the address next to the words " Default Gateway ".
- Mac - Open menu Apple, choose System Preferences, click Network, and select Advanced. Next, click the tab TCP/IP, then look at the number to the right of " Router: ".
- Commonly used router addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.2.1. Apple routers usually use 10.0.0.1.
- On some routers, you can find the IP address on a sticker affixed to the side of the router.
Step 3. Visit the router page
Launch a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address field.
You can use any browser to perform this step
Step 4. Go to the router page
After typing in the correct address, you may need to enter a username and password. When prompted, log in with your router login information. This information is usually not the same as that used to connect to Wi-Fi.
- By default, the username used is usually admin, and the password is admin, password, or leave blank. However, people usually replace the two information after setting up the router. So, if you have forgotten your username and password, you may need to reset your router.
- If the default username and password have not been changed, you can find both information in your router's user guide or on your router's device.
Step 5. Open the “Wireless” segment
If you are already logged in to your router, look for the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section. You can usually access this segment by clicking a tab at the top of the page or browsing it in the navigation menu.
- Each router displays a different interface. So maybe you should explore a few different menus.
- The router password may be placed at the top of the router's main page.
Step 6. Find the password
On the " Wireless " page, there is the name of the wireless network (SSID), as well as the type of security or encryption (eg WEP, WPA2, WPA, or WPA/WPA2). Next to the security options, there is a "Passphrase" or "Password" column. Your wireless network password is in this field.
Method 5 of 5: Resetting the Router
Step 1. Understand when you should run this method
If you can't get your router password using the methods described above, then your Wi-Fi password cannot be recovered. This means, you will have to reset the router to factory settings.
- Restoring the router to factory settings does not mean that you will know the password at this point. This will change the router's password to the factory default password, as written on the back or bottom of the router.
- By resetting the router, all items connected to the router will be disconnected. For this reason, resetting the router should be used as a last resort.
Step 2. Look for the "Reset" button on the router
Usually this button is located on the back of the router. You may have to use a needle or paperclip before you can press the "Reset" button.
Step 3. Press and hold the "Reset" button
You will need to do this for at least 30 seconds for the router to fully reset.
The lights on the router will flash or turn off briefly when the router has been successfully reset
Step 4. Look for the router's default login information
Usually this information is placed at the bottom of the router. The information contains the following:
- Network name or SSID - This is the factory default network name that appears in the Wi-Fi menu.
- Password or Key - This is the default network password.
Step 5. Connect the computer to the network
When typing the password, you must use the factory default password listed at the bottom of the router.
You may be given the option to change your password before connecting your computer to the internet
Tips
When resetting a password, create a strong password that contains letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use personal information for passwords
Warning
- Don't try to find passwords for networks you shouldn't use.
- You will not be able to get a wireless password using a mobile device.
