How to change wifi name

A WiFi SSID, or WiFi Service Set Identifier, is the technical term for your wireless network or router name.

What are the risks of using a default WiFi SSID?

Hackers are likely to target WiFis with default SSID on the likelihood that the owners have taken less care in securing their home networks. They can use a password-cracking tool, which uses the default and most common WiFi SSIDs, to easily find and take over your wireless network and steal sensitive data.

Some default WiFI SSID uses the actual manufacturer name or the brand name. Attackers can use this information to recognize the device and exploit any of its known vulnerabilities.

What is the recommended WiFi SSID?

Use a unique WiFi SSID to distinguish your home network from other networks. The more unique it is, the better.

You may follow these guidelines in choosing a good SSID:

Pick a longer name that contains both letters and numbers.
Do not include your name, address, date of birth, passwords or other personal information as part of the WiFi name.
Update your WiFi SSID and password regularly, once every three months.

How do I change to my WiFi SSID?

Using your computer or mobile device, open a web browser. You can use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox.
Log in to the Admin console of your home router.
Different router manufacturers have different ways of logging in to the Router Admin Console. You may refer to your Router Manual for more details. The most common is http://192.168.1.1.
On the address bar, type the Router IP address you took note on the previous step then press ENTER.
Go to Wireless menu option.
Change the default SSID name in the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field.
Other router manufacturers follow a similar path to the SSID. Check the website of your router manufacturer or the Router Manual for more details.
Click Save or Apply to confirm.
You may need to reboot your router for the changes to take effect.
Reconnect all your wireless devices using the new WiFi SSID.

Boost your Home Network Protection

Aside from choosing a unique WiFi SSID, having good network security is a must. Use Trend Micro Home Network Security to protect your sensitive and financial data from hacking, phishing, and other risky remote connections.

Easy Ways to Change the Wi-Fi Network Name

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.

The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article’s instructions and verified that they work.

This article has been viewed 2,197,498 times.

Did you know that hackers can hack default-named Wi-Fis easier than customized ones? The default name is usually something generic like «Linksys» or «ComcastHOME», but you can usually change your network’s name from your router’s page in a web browser. Some modern routers, like Google Wi-Fi and Spectrum routers, instead have an app that you need to use to change your Wi-Fi’s name. This wikiHow article teaches you how to change a wireless network’s name.

If you rent a router from a ISP, you may have to use an app to access your router settings and change your Wi-Fi name.
If you own the router instead of rent it, go through the router’s settings in a web browser to change your Wi-Fi’s name.
If you don’t know your router’s address, you can easily find it on Windows or Mac.

Changing the Wi-Fi Name on the Web

Changing the name of your Wi-Fi also means that any devices that are currently connected will no longer have the correct credentials for your network, so they will all be kicked off.

For some specialized routers, such as Google WiFi routers, you’ll be prompted to download an app onto your smartphone and proceed using the phone app to configure your network.

Select your router’s current name. Since each router’s Settings page is different, this step will vary. Typically, you can either click the router’s name or click a Settings option to go to the general section of your router’s settings.

There will likely be a name already in the SSID field (e.g., «Belkin.be») that correlates with your network’s current name.

Common names are bad and can lead to hackers getting into your network easier than non-common Wi-Fi names. A common name, like DoeHome, can invite hackers to use common passwords to crack that locked network (using, for example, the Does’ pet’s name or the street they are on). Creative and funny Wi-Fi names, like FBI Surveillance Van #3, Hey_You_Get_Off_My_Lan, are more difficult for hackers to access.

In some cases, you may have to click an image of a floppy disc or a checkmark.
Changing your router’s settings will often cause the router to reboot and you’ll need to reconnect every device that was previously connected.
For even more security, you can make your Wi-Fi network invisible.

Resetting Your Router

Resetting your router will change the network’s name back to the name (or «SSID») printed on the back or bottom of the router.
If you reset your router, you’ll need to reconnect manually every Internet-connected item in your home to the router.

If you don’t have the factory password, you won’t be able to sign into the network with the necessary password after resetting your router.

Find the router’s «Reset» button. This is usually a small, recessed button on the back of the router.

Press and hold the «Reset» button for 30 seconds. You may need to use a bent paperclip or a needle to do this.

Windows — Click the Wi-Fi icon in the lower-right corner of the screen, select your router’s factory name, click Connect, enter the factory password, and click Next. You can then enter the network name you want to use when prompted.
Mac — Click the Wi-Fi icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, select your router’s factory name, enter the factory password, and click Join. You can then enter the network name you want to use when prompted.

Finding Your Router’s Address on Windows

To change your router’s name, you’ll need to connect to its IP address. This method will help you find the address you’ll need to connect to.

Click View your network properties . This link is near the bottom of the page. Doing so opens a list of the different Internet connection types currently available on your computer.

Finding Your Router’s Address on Mac

To change your router’s name, you’ll need to connect to its IP address. This method will help you find the address you’ll need to connect to.

Click Network . This globe-shaped icon is in the System Preferences window. Clicking it opens a new window.

Click Advanced… . It’s in the lower-right side of the Network window. A pop-up window will appear.

Community Q&A

I want to change my password we had a friend living with us I gave him the password and now he has moved out and lives nextdoor so I can change the password and keep the same network name

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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If I want to just change the user name on my wireless network, do I need to reconnect everything on the network?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Yes. When you change the name, everything that is currently connected to the network will no longer have correct credentials, so you’ll need to log them in again.

Maybe there is some option holding you from changing the SSID, if not reset the router and try again.