How to Find a Router Password

Written by Luigi Oppido | Edited by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 18, 2022

This wikiHow will show you how to find the Wi-Fi password for a router you've connected to in the past. You'll also learn how to find the username and password to your home router's web-based admin interface.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows (For the Current Connection)

1
Look for the sticker on your router. If you haven't changed from the default password, you'll find your answer on the physical router near the network's name. If you have changed the password, you can skip this step.
- Your router password might also be listed as "passphrase," "network key," or "wireless PIN."
- Use this method to find the password for the wireless network to which you're currently connected.
2
Right-click the network icon in the taskbar
or
. A menu should pop-up next to your cursor.

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3
Click Open Network & Internet Settings.
4
Click Network and Sharing Center. You'll see this in blue text under the options for "Change your network settings."
5
Click the name of your current Wi-Fi network. Another window will pop up.
6
Click Wireless Properties. You'll see this centered in the "Wi-Fi Status" window.
7
Click the Security tab. You'll see this at the top of the window next to "Connection."
8
Click to check the box next to "Show characters." You'll see this under the text field that says, "Network security key." This displays the Wi-Fi password for this connection.
- You'll need admin-level security access to show the password characters. If you don't have admin-level security, you might be prompted to enter the computer's password before you can continue.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Windows (For Any Past Wi-Fi Connection)

1
Look for the sticker on your router. If you haven't changed from the default password, you'll find your answer on the physical router near the network's name. If you have changed the password, you can skip this step.
- Use this method to find the password for any wireless network you've connected to in the past using this computer.
2
Open Command Prompt. Type cmd into the search field in your Start Menu, then click Command Prompt in the search results to run it.
3
Type netsh wlan show profiles and press ↵ Enter. This shows a list of Wi-Fi networks you've connected to in the past.
4
Type netsh wlan show profile name=EXAMPLE key=clear and press ↵ Enter. Replace "EXAMPLE" with the name of the profile you want to see the password for.
5
Find the password in the "Key Content" line.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using a Mac

1
Open Keychain Access. You can either find this in your Utilities folder in Finder, or you can press ⌘ Cmd+Space to open Spotlight and search Keychain Access.
2
Locate the name of your Wi-Fi network. You should automatically be in the "System" tab, but if you're not, click System in the menu on the left side of the window.
3
Click the info icon
. It's the small "i" in a circle at the bottom of the window next to "Copy."
4
Click to select the box next to "Show Password." You'll see this next to the password field.
5
Enter your login username and password. You'll need to enter this information to continue. After you enter your username and password, if it's an admin account, you'll see the Wi-Fi password.^{[1]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Finding Your Router's Admin Password

1
Check a default router password website. Unless you've changed your home router's admin password, it's likely still set to the manufacturer's default. Check out https://portforward.com/router-password for a comprehensive list of default admin passwords by manufacturer and model.^{[2]
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- If you can't find any information about your model, check the manufacturer's website.
- If you got your router from your internet service provider, your provider may have set an alternative admin password. Check the manual that came with your router, your paperwork, or any confirmation emails you received from your provider for password info.
2
Find your router's IP address. It's usually something like 10.0.0.1 or 192.168.0.1. Here's how you can find yours:
- Windows: Open the Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and then press ↵ Enter. The address you need is next to "Default Gateway."
- Mac: Go to System Preferences > Network, select your network, and then click Advanced > TCP/IP. The address appears next to "Router."
3
Enter your router's IP address into your web browser's address bar. This should take you to your router's admin login page.
4
Enter your router's default username and password. Try the username(s) and password(s) you found on the Portforward site. As long as you use the correct username and password you will be able to access your admin website.
- If you are unable to log into your router's admin interface with the default password, contact the manufacturer for support.