SSID or Service Set Identifier is the name of a Wi-Fi network. When you connect to Wi-Fi at home, in a café, or at the airport, the list of network names you see on your phone or laptop screen are all SSIDs. If you see names like Home_WiFi, Starbucks_FreeWiFi, Airport_Guest; these are examples of SSIDs.
How SSID Works
Every Wi-Fi router broadcasts a signal, and that signal contains an SSID. Here’s what happens step by step when you connect:
- You’ll open the WiFi settings on your device, then the router announces its SSID (network name).
- Your phone, tablet, or laptop looks for nearby SSIDs and when you see your WiFi network or (SSID), you’ll tap it.
- You will be prompted to enter a password to connect.
- You device will be connected to the WiFi network and you can start browsing the internet.
But if your device WiFi setting is set to automatically connect to a WiFi network in yoir household, it remembers the SSID and password. You don’t have to do the steps above.
SSID vs. BSSID vs. ESSID
You may hear these similar terms, so let’s clarify:
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SSID | The Wi-Fi network name you see. | “Home_WiFi” |
| BSSID | The unique MAC address of the access point/router. | 34:AB:56:8C:22:FA |
| ESSID | Extended SSID (used when multiple access points share the same SSID). | “Office_WiFi” used across several floors |
How to Find Your SSID
Depending on your device operating system the steps are slightly different.
For Windows:
- Click the Wi-Fi icon at the bottom-right of your screen.
- The list of available SSIDs will appear.
- The one with the word Connected is your Wi-Fi SSID.
For Mac:
- Click the Wi-Fi symbol on the top menu bar.
- A list of Wi-Fi names will drop down.
- The one with the checkmark is your SSID.
For Android:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Toggle on Wi-Fi option.
- Under Wi-Fi Networks, you will see the SSIDs available in your household.
For iPhone/iPad
- Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Look for the network with a blue checkmark. That’s your SSID.
You can also find your SSID by logging in to your router. To log in to different brands of router you may use the default IP addresses below:
| Router | IP Addresses |
|---|---|
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 192.168.1.1 192.168.10.1 192.168.0.50 192.168.0.10 192.168.1.254 192.168.15.1 |
| TP-Link | 192.168.1.1 192.168.0.1 192.168.0.254 192.168.1.253 |
| Netgear | 192.168.1.1 192.168.0.1 192.168.61.1 192.168.0.100 192.168.1.254 10.0.0.138 |
| Asus | 192.168.1.1 192.168.50.1 192.168.72.1 192.168.29.1 192.168.2.1 |
| Linksys | 192.168.1.1 192.168.0.1 192.168.15.1 192.168.16.1 192.168.101.1 192.168.1.245 |
| Belkin | 192.168.2.1 10.1.1.1 |
| ZyXel | 192.168.1.1 192.168.10.1 192.168.100.1 192.168.3.1 192.168.0.1 192.168.200.1 192.168.212.1 |
How to Change Your SSID (Wi-Fi Name)
Most routers come with a default SSID like TP-Link_1234 or PLDT_HomeDSL. You can change this for better security and identify your SSID easier. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Connect your device to your Wi-Fi.
- Open a browser and type your router IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1).
- Enter the router username and password. You can check your router label for the default login details if you haven’t changed them yet.
- On the router’s web user interface go to Wireless Settings > Wi-Fi Settings.
- Find the field labeled SSID / Network Name and enter your new Wi-Fi name.
- Click Save and reconnect your devices with the new SSID.
Tips to Protect Your SSID
Changing your Wi-Fi name (SSID) is only the first step. To make sure your Wi-Fi network stays safe, follow these methods:
- Use WPA2 or WPA3 Encryption: To protect your WiFi network, you must use WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK in security mode. Never use WEP because it’s outdated and can be hacked in minutes.
- Create a Strong Wi-Fi Password: You should use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Avoid simple passwords like 123456 or your birthday.
- Hide your SSID: You can also hide your network from the public list. However, you’ll need to manually enter the SSID, when you need to connect which is hassle.
- Enable a Guest SSID: Create a separate Wi-Fi name for visitors. This prevents guests from accessing sensitive files or devices.
Common Problems with SSIDs
Sometimes, you may face issues when dealing with SSIDs. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
- Duplicate SSIDs: This happens when two networks with the same name in the same area. To fix this issue, you can rename your SSID to something unique.
- Can’t Connect to Hidden SSID: Like mentioned above you can secure your SSID by hiding it however it is hassle as you need to manually enter the SSID. This is where issue might pop up. If you cant connect to the hidden SSID, double-check the spelling, security type (WPA2/WPA3), and password.
- Wrong Password: If you keep entering the password but can’t connect forget the network in your phone settings, then reconnect and retype the password.