Losing your Wi-Fi password can be frustrating. Without access to your wireless network, you can’t connect your devices or enjoy uninterrupted internet access. Thankfully, recovering a lost Wi-Fi password is usually pretty straightforward. This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods to help you find and recover your network’s password.
Table of Contents
Check Your Router
The easiest way to find your Wi-Fi password is to check the sticker on the back or bottom of your wireless router. Most routers have a default admin password listed there that you can use to log into your router’s admin interface and view your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password.
Steps:
- Locate your wireless router and turn it over to find the sticker
- Look for the default admin login and password
- Enter those credentials to log into your router admin
- Find your network SSID and Wi-Fi password info
If you’ve changed the admin password on your router previously, you may need to reset your router to factory default settings. Refer to your router documentation for model-specific steps.
Check Your Modem/ISP Account
For rented modems or equipment provided by your internet service provider (ISP), the Wi-Fi network name and password may be listed on a sticker or card with the hardware. The info could also be available by logging into your ISP account online.
Steps:
- Locate sticker on modem with SSID and Wi-Fi password
- Log into your ISP account online
- Check account details for Wi-Fi network credentials
If you cannot find the Wi-Fi network information through either of those methods, you can also contact your ISP directly. They can provide your wireless network name and reset the password for you.
View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords
If you have previously connected to the Wi-Fi network on one of your devices, the password may be saved. Follow these steps to recover saved Wi-Fi passwords:
Windows
- Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
- Click Wi-Fi network name > Wireless Properties
- Go to the Security tab > Show characters box
Mac OS
- Open Keychain Access then select Passwords
- Find Wi-Fi network name entry
- Double click to view password
iPhone and iPad
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Click the “i” icon next to network
- Tap Forget this Network
- Reconnect to network and password field will appear
Android
- Open Settings app > Wi-Fi
- Long press network name and select Forget
- Reconnect to view password field
Reset Your Router to Find Password
If all else fails, reset your wireless router to factory default settings. This will restore the default Wi-Fi network SSID and password which you can then access from the router admin interface.
Steps:
- Locate small reset button on back or bottom of router
- Press and hold for 10-15 seconds until lights flash
- Wait for router to restart
- Log into the router admin using default credentials
- View or change SSID and Wi-Fi password info
Resetting the router will require you to reconnect all wireless devices and make any custom router changes again. But it will provide you with router admin access again to find Wi-Fi credentials.
Use Wi-Fi Password Recovery Software
For Windows computers that have connected to the network previously, you can use desktop software to recover saved Wi-Fi passwords. Programs like WirelessKeyView scan your computer’s wireless connection profiles and displays all saved SSIDs and passwords.
Mac OS also includes built-in Keychain Access to view saved Wi-Fi passwords used on your Mac.
Set Up Password Manager
To avoid losing your Wi-Fi network password again in the future, use a password manager app like LastPass, 1Password, or Dashlane to save and manage passwords securely. Enable auto password capture in your browser’s extensions whenever you log into router admin or connect devices to your Wi-Fi.
Then you can access those saved passwords from your password manager vault at any time. The tools also allow you to generate and store strong, randomized passwords for improved security.
