Forgotten passwords are the most frustrating things. Unfortunately, if you forget the password of your home Wi-Fi, life can become very difficult all of a sudden. Losing access to internet at home may lead to many inconveniences, especially if you need to work from home or have several devices that depend on that access. The great news is that you don’t have to worry about it any longer. In this article, we will help you figure out how to find your home Wi-Fi password.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Find Your Home Wi-Fi Password
In most cases, the Wi-Fi password is only required when you want to connect a new device to your home network, or when you want to share it with a guest. You may also want to check the password to ensure that your network is secure and that your personal data is well-protected. However, if you have forgotten the password, you will need to retrieve it, which is not an easy task if you’re not familiar with the process.
Method 1: Using Your Router Login
If you use a Wi-Fi router, you can easily retrieve the Wi-Fi password by logging into your router. Follow these steps to retrieve your Wi-Fi password:
1. Open your web browser and type ‘192.168,1.1’ into the address bar.
2. Login with the default login info (generally, ‘admin’ is the username and ‘admin’ is the password).
3. Click on ‘Wireless’ or ‘Wireless Settings’ located in the menu.
4. Navigate to the security settings and find the Wireless Password or WPA Key.
5. The password will be given as a set of characters. Copy that password.
6. Use the copied password to connect to your home Wi-Fi network on any device.
Pros: Easy to follow. You can get the password directly from the source.
Cons: Router login credentials can be changed. You may need to reset the router.
Method 2: Find the Password with Your Computer
You can find the Wi-Fi password of the current network on Windows and Mac machines. But, you must already be connected to the Wi-Fi network in order to retrieve the password using the below steps.
Windows:
1. Click on the ‘Network’ icon located on the taskbar.
2. Click on ‘Network Settings.’
3. When the network settings pop up, click on ‘Wi-Fi’ and select ‘Properties.’
4. Scroll down until you find the ‘Network security key’ option.
5. Click on the ‘Show characters’ box to reveal the password in plain-text.
Pros: Easy to execute without the need for a third-party app.
Cons: You must already be connected to the network, and the password will be revealed in plain-text.
Mac:
1. Hold down the ‘Option’ key and click on the Wi-Fi icon on your Mac menu bar.
2. Click on ‘Open Wireless Diagnostics.’
3. When the diagnostics window is open, click on ‘Window’ and select ‘Keychain’ from the menu.
4. In the search box, type the Wi-Fi network name.
5. Double-click on the option that appears in the search results.
6. Tick the box for ‘Show password,’ and enter your Mac’s user password to reveal the password.
Pros: You can retrieve the password from within your Mac.
Cons: It can be a lengthy process for those who do not know the steps to take.
Method 3: Use a Third-party App
Finally, you can use a third-party app to retrieve the Wi-Fi password stored on your device. We recommend using a reliable app like ‘WiFi Password Recovery Pro’ or ‘WiFi Key Master.’
Steps:
1. Install and launch the app on your device.
2. Click the ‘Scan’ button in the app.
3. The app will scan and display all the Wi-Fi networks that your device has connected to.
4. Select the network whose password you want to retrieve.
5. Click on ‘Show Password’ and voila!
Pros: It’s a quick and easy method.
Cons: Not all apps are reliable and trustworthy. You must be careful when choosing a third-party app, which might also come with some ads and pop-ups.
What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Home Wi-Fi Password
If you have gone through all the methods above and still can’t find your home Wi-Fi password, don’t worry. Here are some workarounds that you can try to regain access to your home Wi-Fi:
1. Reset your router: You can reset your router to its factory settings by pressing the reset button at the back of the router for about 10 seconds. Note that resetting your router will delete all settings, including the Wi-Fi password.
2. Contact your ISP: You can get in touch with your internet service provider and ask them to provide you with a new default username and password.
3. Share Wi-Fi password via another device: If you are still connected to the Wi-Fi network on another device, it is possible to share the password with a different device. This method is more acceptable when it comes to situations when the Wi-Fi password is too long and complicated.
Bonus Tip: Update Your Wi-Fi Password Regularly
Regularly updating your Wi-Fi password is a good way to prevent unauthorized devices from accessing your network. Make sure to use a strong and secure password that includes special characters and avoid using common and predictable passwords. Changing your Wi-Fi password every six months can be a great habit to have.
5 FAQs on Finding Your Home Wi-Fi Password
Q: Are there any other methods for retrieving a Wi-Fi password?
A: Yes, there are several other methods, including using command prompt or PowerShell on a Windows machine.
Q: Can I find my Wi-Fi password on my device if it is not connected to the network?
A: No, you must be connected to the Wi-Fi network in order to retrieve the password.
Q: Can I change my Wi-Fi password using the same methods?
A: Yes, you can change your Wi-Fi password using router login or third-party apps that support changing Wi-Fi passwords.
Q: Can I share my Wi-Fi password with others without revealing personally identifiable information?
A: Yes, most operating systems allow for the creation of a QR code that can be scanned to connect to the network.
Q: Will resetting my router delete all of the settings?
A: Yes, resetting the router to its default settings will delete all settings, including the Wi-Fi password.
Final Thoughts
Losing your home Wi-Fi password can be one of the most annoying things, especially if you work from home or rely on your network-connected devices. Fortunately, this article outlines various methods that you can use to retrieve your Wi-Fi password quickly and easily. We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving your Wi-Fi password problems. Remember to contact your ISP or reset your router if you still cannot retrieve your password.