How to Change Your Wi-Fi Network Name and Password (2024)

Changing your Wi-Fi network name and password is easier than deciding what’s for dinner. In nearly all cases, you simply open a mobile app, tap your way through a few categories, and set your new Wi-Fi network name(s) and password(s). Zap. Pow. We’re done. Now let’s go get some chicken.

We’ll give you the rundown on how to change your Wi-Fi network name and password on a few popular routers and mesh systems using a mobile app or web interface. We’ll also throw in some instructions for equipment supplied by internet providers.

And if these don’t work for you, we’ll also provide instructions on how to find your router’s IP address so you can log in and make your changes.

All standalone routers, gateways, and mesh systems now offer a mobile app for network management and settings. This is by far the easiest way to change your Wi-Fi network name and password.

To log in, you need the router’s system admin credentials or a cloud account, depending on the manufacturer, router type, and connection (local vs. remote). Let’s presume you have one or the other since you’re changing the Wi-Fi name and password versus setting them up for the first time.

Changing your Wi-Fi name and password is trickier for ISP-provided equipment than it is for third-party network equipment. Most internet providers offer the means to manage your network through an online portal, which is better than digging through your device’s network settings to hunt down the router’s IP address (more on that later).

As shown with Frontier listed above, internet providers use a lot of different equipment in the field, so the addresses and instructions we list here may not be what you need to change your Wi-Fi network’s name and password. If that’s the case, move on to find out another way to access your router, gateway, or mesh system.

You should be able to change your Wi-Fi network’s name and password using the steps we provided earlier in this guide. But internet providers don’t stick with just one router or gateway model. Instead, they have an army of these things in use, so there’s no one-size-fits-all process.

So, here we are, facing the hair-pulling task of finding your router’s IP address and using it to log in to the web interface. Technically, you should have this information already—either somewhere on the device, in your subscription paperwork, or jotted down on a paper towel somewhere (guilty).

But here’s how to get the IP address anyway, and hopefully, you still have the information to log in.

Chances are, you’re already connected. But if the router, gateway, or mesh system is denying you Wi-Fi access, you can do one of three things:

Use a wired connection and laugh about your triumph

But what if you don’t have an Ethernet port? Many slim laptops, like MacBooks, don’t have one. Get a USB-to-Ethernet adapter—they can be cheaper than going to the movies.

Use the default Wi-Fi passcode

Every router and mesh system we’ve tested has everything you need to connect and log in. The information is unique to the device and printed on a label affixed to the bottom or side. Sometimes the info is even printed on a card supplied in the packaging. The default Wi-Fi passcode should work if your custom Wi-Fi password doesn’t.

Reset the router, gateway, or mesh system

Resetting your network is a drastic move and erases everything you’ve set up to that point. Use this as a last-ditch effort on network equipment you own—you likely need your provider’s permission to reset equipment (if you can at all). And if you do reset your network, just choose the new network name and password you want during the setup. Case closed, and thanks for stopping by.

Be sure to check out our guide on how to factory reset your router if your connection woes come to that point.

Okay. Now you’re connected. It’s time to hunt down your router’s IP address. The steps depend on what kind of device you’re using.

Jump to: iPhone/iPad | Android | Windows | Mac

Step 1: Tap to open Settings.

Step 2: Tap on Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Tap on your network’s name.

Step 4: Write down the number displayed next to Router.

Step 1: Swipe a finger down from the top to expand the Notification Shade and tap the “cog” icon to open the Settings panel.

Step 2: Tap on Network & internet.

Step 3: Tap on Internet.

Step 4: Tap on the “cog” icon displayed next to your network’s name.

Step 5: Scroll down and write down the number displayed next to Gateway under Network Details.

There’s no way to find your router’s IP address on a Samsung phone, but you can get an idea using the phone’s IP address.

Step 1: Swipe a finger down from the top to expand the Notification Shade and tap the “cog” icon to open the Settings panel.

Step 2: Tap on Connections.

Step 3: Tap on Wi-Fi.

Step 4: Tap on the “cog” icon next to your network’s name.

Here you will see your Samsung phone’s IP address. Generally, the first three portions address the router, and the last portion is your device. For example, “192.168.7” is the router and “155” is your device. So, the router’s full address is probably 192.168.7.1.

Many mobile apps developed for analyzing networks, such as Network Analyzer, make it easy to find your router’s IP address. Using an app is also a handy way to find your router’s IP address using an Android device.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell or Terminal on the Power User Menu.

Step 2: Type the command “IPCONFIG” into Windows into the window and press the Enter key.

Step 3: Write down the number listed next to Default Gateway.

Step 1: Click on the System Preferences icon on the Dock or click the Apple logo in the top left corner, followed by System Preferences on the drop-down menu.

If you’re on a wired connection:

Step 2: Select Network.

Step 3: Click on the connection and write down the number next to Router displayed in the pop-up window.

If you’re on a Wi-Fi connection:

Step 2: Select Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Click on the Details button displayed next to your Wi-Fi network’s name.

Step 4: Write down the number displayed next to Router.

Now that you have the IP address, you can access the router’s settings using a standard web browser like Firefox, Chrome, or even Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Open any web browser, and type the router’s IP address in the address bar.

Step 2: When your router’s web interface appears within the browser, enter your login credentials—you most likely created these when you installed the router or mesh system. For internet provider equipment, use the credentials provided to you (unless you changed them).

Great. You’re in the web interface. Now what? You can follow the paths we listed in the tables provided earlier in this guide:

• Third-party routers, gateways, and mesh systems
• Internet provider equipment

However, before you go, what you see may not match the paths we list in the tables—but they should be rather close. Also, remember that once you change the Wi-Fi network name and password, you’ll need to reconnect every Wi-Fi device you own.

And while you’re at it, make sure you have the best security enabled on your Wi-Fi network. We’ll tell you how in the next section.

Once you’ve renamed your Wi-Fi network, you want to secure it with a strong password so that passersby can’t steal your Wi-Fi or, worse, use your network to distribute malware to your devices.

There are several options for security protocols, including simply leaving your network open, but the best option is WPA2, also known as WPA2-PSK or AES. This allows you to put a password on your network.

As with any password you frequently use, make sure that it’s something you can remember. Also, it’s important not to use a password that you also use for important sites, especially if you’re going to be giving it out to guests who want to use your Wi-Fi.

The following instructions are based on a Linksys router, so they may differ from what you see on the screen.

Step 1: Click on Wi-Fi Settings listed on the left under Wi-Fi Settings.

Step 2: Click the download arrow next to Security Mode and select WPA2 Personal on the drop-down menu. Do this for every Wi-Fi radio installed in your router or gateway.

Step 3: Enter a new network password in the text field next to Wi-Fi Password. Do this for every Wi-Fi radio installed in your router or gateway, but be sure they’re different.

Step 4: Click the Apply button.

If you just changed the Wi-Fi name and password from a wireless device and successfully reconnected, then you should be good to go. Simply reconnect all your other Wi-Fi devices by selecting the new Wi-Fi name and entering the new password—you shouldn’t have any issues.

If you made the changes on a wired device (like a laptop), switch it over to Wi-Fi and make sure the new settings work. It’s better to find out now than having to start the process all over again when you’re late for a Zoom meeting or two minutes away from winning an auction on eBay.

• How Often Should You Reboot Your Router?
• Where Is the Best Place to Set Up Your Router?
• How to Log In to Your Router
• How to Secure Your Wi-Fi Router
• How Do I Connect My Router to My Computer?

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