Changing your WiFi password is a wise move to protect your WiFi network. But since you are here, I guess you don’t know how to do it correctly or perhaps are looking for the easiest guide, right? Don’t worry; you are in the right post! After you read this, you will be able to change your password easily and will be equipped with some other knowledge when it comes to your wireless router.
The Importance of Changing Your WiFi Password
As I mentioned above, you shouldn’t forget to change your WiFI password because if you do, then you are missing a lot of benefits. Check out these advantages you are probably missing out on!
1. Keep Unwanted Devices Out: If you haven’t changed your WiFi password in a while, chances are someone else is using it. This is because the router’s default credentials are searchable online. This will let hackers penetrate your network and do harm to your personal details or your system. A quick reset kicks them off.
2. Speed Up Your Connection: If fewer devices are connected to the network, there will be less lag. Changing your password clears out old connections that slow things down.
3. Know Who’s On Your Network: Every time you update your password, you get a clean slate. This is because the router will automatically kick off the connected devices after changing the credentials. This will be a good opportunity to reconnect only what you actually use.
4. Protect Your Info: An old password is an easy target for hackers online because, as I have mentioned, default usernames and passwords are easy to search online. Updating it helps keep your data and devices safe.
Steps to Change Your WiFi Password
To change your WiFi password, follow these easy steps on your router’s admin interface:
Connect your PC to the router
To start logging in, make sure your PC is connected to the router. You can connect via ethernet or via a wireless connection. To connect via a wired connection, carefully link the ethernet wire to the ethernet port and ensure it’s properly connected.
Open your Browser
Access your router’s admin panel by opening a web browser and typing in the router’s IP address. Common IP addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
If you don’t know the IP address assigned to your router, you may use the reference below:
| Router | IP address |
|---|---|
| TP-Link , Netgear, Linksys | 192.168.1.1 |
| D-Link, Netgear, Zyxel, Belkin, TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 |
| Xfinity, Comcast, Cisco | 10.0.0.0.1 – 10.0.0.1 |
| PTCL, TP-Link, D-Link | 192.168.10.1 |
| Siemens, Sagemcom | 192.168.254.254 |
Enter your username and password
When you access the router’s login page successfully, you will see the fields where you need to type your username and password. When done entering details, hit the Login button. The interface will vary depending on your router’s brand. In this case, I use the TP-Link router as an example.
Note: You can find the default username and password on the back of your router.
Locate the wireless settings
Once you log in successfully, you will see the settings of your router. Click Wireless>Basic to access the wireless settings.
Change the WiFi password
Under the wireless settings in the Network Name SSID field, enter your new WiFi name as well as your preferred password in the Password field. You can change the password alone without changing the WiFi name if you don’t want to. Make sure to change your password for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz to make the network more secure. When you are satisfied with your new login credentials, click Save to save the changes.
Best Practices When Changing the Password
When you change your WiFi password, make sure to apply these tips so you can protect your WiFi network.
Choose a strong password:
- Use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using your name, address, or common words.
- Don’t reuse old passwords.
Update Both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Networks:
- If your router offers dual-band (most do), update the password for both bands.
- You can keep the same password for simplicity or use separate ones for more control.
Reconnect all your devices:
- All your previously connected devices will be disconnected when you change your WiFi password, so make sure to reconnect each one using the new password.
Save your new settings:
- Write down or securely store your new WiFi name and password.
- Consider a password manager for easy access later.
Restart your computer:
- Although restarting your router is not required for some brands, it is best to do it after you change your WiFi password for changes to take effect—just unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in.