How to Add a Password to Your Wi-Fi: 6 Methods
This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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To keep your Wi-Fi connection secure, it’s always a good idea to set a password to control who can access your network. Even if your router came with a default password, setting a new one will make your connection more secure. In this article, we’ll talk you through the best ways to set a new Wi-Fi password, from going through your router’s configuration page to using an app or wizard on your computer for quick and easy setup. We’ll also tell you how to set a password for a Wi-Fi hotspot and how to reset your router to factory settings in case you lose your password.
- Set or change your password through the router’s configuration page by entering the IP address into your browser.
- For some types of routers you can change the password using a wizard or app on your computer.
- If you lose or forget your password, reset to the default password by resetting your router to factory settings.
Changing a Router Wi-Fi Password
Enter the IP address into your browser’s address bar. Launch your favorite browser and type your router’s IP address into it. Then, press Enter or Return. This will open your router’s configuration page. [2] X Research source
- Many routers are configured with admin as the default username and password as the default password. However, this isn’t always the case.
- You can also try searching for the default login credentials for your router brand online.
- You might also find an option to change your router admin password under Administration. However, keep in mind that the router password is different from your Wi-Fi network password. This password is for logging into your router’s configuration page. [4] X Research source
- Choose a memorable but unique password, preferably with a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters (such as !, _, or &). [5] X Research source
- At the same time that you set your password, you may want to update your router’s firmware and set your wireless encryption type to the most secure option available (usually either WPA2 or WPA3). [6] X Research source
Changing AirPort Router Password (Mac)
Launch AirPort Utility on your Mac. If you have an AirPort router, you can easily change your password using the AirPort Utility app. To get started, launch the app on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. [7] X Research source
Select your router in the graphical overview. When you open the app, you should see any AirPort devices that are connected to your network. Select the main router for the Wi-Fi network you want to edit. [8] X Research source
Click Edit in the dialog box. When you click the base station, a dialog window will pop up with information about the router. Click on Edit to make changes to your network configuration. [9] X Research source
Click on Wireless . Select Wireless from the Edit menu. This will allow you to make changes to your Wi-Fi network. [10] X Research source
- You can also change your wireless encryption type from the Wireless menu. Click on Wireless Security and select your preferred encryption type (WPA or WPA2 Personal).
Select Update to save your changes. After you set your password, click Update. If you don’t click Update, your network will revert to the old password after 5 minutes. [12] X Research source
Using the WPS Wizard (Windows)
Start menu. If your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), you can easily set the password using the Network and Internet settings on a Windows computer. To get started, open the
Start menu. [13] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- If you’re using Windows 7 or 8, type Network and Sharing Center into the search box in the Start menu. When the Network and Sharing Center appears in the list of results, click on it.
- For Windows 10, open
Select Set up a new connection or network . In the Network and Sharing Center, select Set up a new connection or network. This will open a wizard that will help you set a password and adjust other security settings. [15] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
Click Set up a new network . Choose the option to set up a new network, then confirm your selection by clicking Next. [16] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- Make sure to write your password down somewhere and keep it in a safe place so you don’t forget it.
Resetting Your Router
- Make sure your router is powered on before you try to reset it.
- Resetting your router will restore all of its default settings, including the default Wi-Fi password it had when you originally set it up.
Press and hold the button for at least 10 seconds. Once you find the reset button, push it down and hold it for several seconds. Many of these buttons are recessed to prevent accidental resets, so you may need to use an unbent paperclip or other small tool to push the button. [19] X Research source
Wait for the router to restart. Your router may take a few minutes to completely reset. Once it does, it will be reset to all of its original settings, including the default password and username for both router admin and the Wi-Fi network. [20] X Research source
Follow the instructions that came with your router to set it up again. Once your router finishes resetting, log into the router’s configuration page to set a new password, or set it up the way you did when you first got it. [21] X Research source
Setting a Wi-Fi Hotspot Password (iOS)
Settings on your iPhone. If you’ve set up a personal hotspot using your iPhone, you can assign a password to it for extra security. To get started, launch the
Select Cellular . In the Settings menu, tap Cellular. This is near the top of the main menu. [23] X Research source
Tap Personal Hotspot . In some versions of iOS, you may need to select Settings, then Personal Hotspot. [24] X Research source
- If you set a new password, any devices that are currently connected to your hotspot will be automatically disconnected. You can then log in again with the new password.
Tap Done to confirm the change. Once you’ve entered a new password, tap Done at the top right corner of the screen.
Setting a Wi-Fi Hotspot Password (Android)
Settings on your phone. If you’ve set up a personal hotspot on your Android phone, you can set or change the password. While the method for doing this varies depending on what kind of phone you have, you can generally access your hotspot settings through the Settings menu.
Find Mobile hotspot and tethering . This option may be located directly under the main Settings menu, or you might find it when you tap More under the Wireless & networks header.
- Set a new name for your hotspot
- Change the password
- Select your Wi-Fi encryption type
Community Q&A
«Admin» is traditionally the password used by programmers for a beta test or a password that has to be changed. Unfortunately, they may use whatever else they want, or somebody else may have changed the password. Read the manual to find the default password or how to reset it.
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Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1.Then enter your username and password. Open Security and then Wireless; then click on Show the WPS Key.
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Most routers come with a default Wi-Fi password, which is usually printed on the side of the router. However, these default passwords are not always very secure, so it’s best to set a new one whenever you get a new router.
If you’ve forgotten your password and you’d rather not reset your router, you can find your Wi-Fi password using the command prompt in Windows or Keychain Access on a Mac. You may also be able to see your password by logging into your router’s configuration page.
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