How to Change Your Wi Fi Password

Edited by Chris Hadley, Laura, Janezee, Nytengale and 5 others
Have you noticed increased activity on your Wi-Fi router, or notice the lights flickering even when nobody in the house is using a computer or smartphone? Chances are, somebody nearby is surfing on your bandwidth! This can cause you to experience anything from slower downloads, to a greatly-increased bill from your service provider. The best thing to do when you notice that sort of thing happening (and good to do periodically, no matter what), is to change your password. This article will show you how.

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Steps

  1. 1
    Enter your router's address in a browser window. In the URL field, enter one of the following numbers based on the model of wireless router you use:
    • 192.168.2.1: Belkin, Microsoft, and SMC:
    • 192.168.0.1: Qwest (AKA CenturyLink), Netgear, DLink, Senao, Trendnet
    • 10.0.1.1: Apple
    • If you don't see your router listed here, search on Google for your router name and include "default IP address" to find the correct information.
    • On a PC, open the command prompt (click on Start > Run/Search for "cmd") and enter ipconfig. Look for the Default Gateway line, and try that number.
    • On a Macintosh, open Network (System Preferences..., Network) and look for Router:<number>. This is your router's IP address.
    • Enter your router's user name and password, if requested. Not all routers require that, but if yours does, it should be listed with the documentation. If your router does require a password, but you didn't set one, the default password is usually “admin.” You can usually leave the username field blank.
  2. 2
    Go to your settings page. It may be called "settings," or "wireless setup," "preferences," or similar name.
  3. 3
    Locate the password setting. It may be a field or tab named "password," "wireless security," "security key," "passphrase," etc. If the field is directly editable, enter your new password. Otherwise, click the tab or button to access the password field.
  4. 4
    Enter a new password. If there's a second password field, re-enter your password exactly the same way, capitalizations and all. If not, just enter the password once, but be sure to enter it carefully, and make note of it until you have it memorized.
    • When finished, click "OK," "Apply," "Submit," "Save," or whatever button finishes the process.
    • Closer your browser window: your password is changed.[1]
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