As the world becomes more connected, Wi-Fi has become an indispensable utility. Whether you’re at home or in a public space, a Wi-Fi connection is often the easiest and fastest way to connect to the internet. So in case you forget your Wi-Fi password, which can happen to anyone, knowing how to find it or recover it is very important.
In this article, we will show you how to check what your Wi-Fi password is through various methods. You never know when you might need to access your Wi-Fi network on another device or share it with a friend, so keep reading to ensure you always have access to your Wi-Fi network.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Check Your Wi-Fi Password?
You may need to check your Wi-Fi password for several reasons. Perhaps your internet service provider has changed your router or even your network service package. In such cases, you need to re-enter the default password assigned by the ISP or change the password to your liking. Sometimes, you may also need to retrieve your Wi-Fi password to connect to the network with another device.
Regardless of why you need to check your Wi-Fi password, there are several methods you can use to achieve your goal. Below are different methods that can help you check your Wi-Fi password.
Method 1: Check your Wi-Fi Password on Windows 10 or Later
For Windows 10 or later versions, you can easily view your Wi-Fi password through the Command Prompt if you’re already connected to the Wi-Fi network.
Before you view your Wi-Fi password in Windows 10 or later, follow the steps below to ensure that Command Prompt can run with administrator rights:
– Right-click on the Windows icon on the taskbar and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the options that appear.
– A pop-up will appear asking for permission. Click “Yes” to proceed.
– If prompted, enter your administrator password to proceed.
Once you have set up Command Prompt with administrator rights, follow the steps below to check your Wi-Fi password:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + X, then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu that appears.
Step 2: Type “netsh wlan show profile” in the command prompt and press Enter. This will display a list of all the Wi-Fi networks you have connected to on your device.
Step 3: Identify the Wi-Fi network for which you want to retrieve the password and type “netsh wlan show profile Wi-Fi Name key=clear” replacing “Wi-Fi Name” with the name of the network in question. Then, press Enter.
Step 4: Look for the “Key Content” in the Security Settings section of the command prompt window that will appear. The password for the Wi-Fi network is displayed in this section.
Pros:
– Fast and easy to follow.
– Only requires you to have previously connected to the network.
– Works on devices running Windows 10 or later.
Cons:
– If you haven’t connected to the network before, this method won’t be useful.
– Only works on devices running Windows 10 or later.
Method 2: Check your Wi-Fi Password on MacOS
For MAC users, you can retrieve your Wi-Fi password using the Keychain Access utility on your computer.
Step 1: Open the Keychain Access utility on your Mac. You can find this by opening the Finder app and then clicking on “Applications" > "Utilities” > “Keychain Access.”
Step 2: In the search bar located at the top left corner of the window, type in the name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to retrieve.
Step 3: Look for the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to check your password for and double-click it.
Step 4: In the dialogue box that will pop up, click on “Show Password.”
Step 5: After performing the above step, you will be prompted to enter your Mac administrator login credentials i.e. your Mac login password.
Step 6: After you enter your password and click on “Allow,” you will see your Wi-Fi password in the second-last row of the dialogue box that you opened.
Pros:
– Simple and easy to follow.
– You don’t need to have connected to the network before.
– Works on all devices running MacOS.
Cons:
– You need to know your Mac login password.
– If you haven’t selected to save your Wi-Fi password, this method won’t work.
Method 3: Check Your Router’s Login Page
If you are not able to retrieve your Wi-Fi password using the methods mentioned above, you can always check your router’s login page. To access your router’s login page, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open your browser and type in your router’s IP address in the address bar. If you don’t know your router’s IP address, you can check it by following these steps:
– Open Command Prompt on your Windows device by pressing the “Windows key + X” and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the options that appear.
– In the Command Prompt window, type in “ipconfig” and press Enter. This will display a list of various IP addresses including that of your Default Gateway, which is your router’s IP address.
Once you have access to your router’s login page, you’ll need to enter your router’s username and password to access the page. If you don’t know your router’s username and password, you can check the manufacturer’s website for the default router username and password.
Step 2: After successfully logging in to your router’s page, look for the Wi-Fi settings option on the page and create a new password or simply view it.
Step 3: Note down the new password or the existing one depending on your purpose.
Pros:
– You can retrieve your password if you haven’t connected to the network before.
– Works on all Wi-Fi router models.
– You can change the password on your router’s login page.
Cons:
– You need to know your router’s IP address and login credentials.
– This method can be a bit more complex than the other methods.
What to Do If You Can’t Check Your Wifi Password?
If you’re unable to retrieve your Wi-Fi password using any of the above methods, you can try resetting your router’s settings to their defaults by following these steps:
Step 1: Press and hold the reset button on your router until the lights on the router start flashing. This usually takes about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Release the reset button and wait for your router to start up again.
Step 3: After the device has restarted, you can use the default login credentials to access your router’s login page.
Once you have successfully logged in to your router’s login page, you can create a new Wi-Fi password.
Bonus Tip: How to Keep Your Wi-Fi Password Safe?
While it’s essential to know how to retrieve your Wi-Fi password, it’s even more crucial to keep your Wi-Fi password safe from unauthorized access. Below are some tips that can help you keep your Wi-Fi password secure:
– Use WPA2 encryption: Using a Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption makes it almost impossible for anyone to access your Wi-Fi network without your permission.
– Use a strong password: A strong password contains a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Ensure that your password is a minimum of 8 characters long.
– Change your password regularly: Changing your Wi-Fi password regularly helps to keep out any individuals who may have gained access to your Wi-Fi password.
– Do not share your password: Do not share your Wi-Fi password with anyone who does not need access to it. The more people who have access to your Wi-Fi, the higher the chances of your password being hacked.
5 FAQs About Checking Your Wi-Fi Password
Q1: Why do I need to know my Wi-Fi password?
A: You may need to know your Wi-Fi password for several reasons, such as connecting a new device to your Wi-Fi network, troubleshooting the Wi-Fi network, or changing the Wi-Fi password on your router.
Q2: What if I don’t remember my Wi-Fi password?
A: If you don’t remember your Wi-Fi password, you can try retrieving it through the methods mentioned in this article. If those methods fail, you can reset your router’s settings and set up a new password.
Q3: How secure is it to retrieve my Wi-Fi password using the methods mentioned in this article?
A: The methods mentioned above are secure and can be used to retrieve your Wi-Fi password without any risk.
Q4: How do I change my Wi-Fi password?
A: You can change your Wi-Fi password from your router’s login page. To access your router’s login page, follow the steps mentioned above.
Q5: What can I do to keep my Wi-Fi password safe?
A: You can keep your Wi-Fi password safe by using WPA2 encryption, using strong passwords, changing your password regularly, and not sharing your Wi-Fi password with anyone who does not require access to it.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to check your Wi-Fi password is an essential skill that will save you a headache when it comes to connecting to the internet. We hope the above methods will help you easily retrieve your Wi-Fi password, and the added bonus tips will help you keep your Wi-Fi password secure. Try to be meticulous in choosing the method that pleases you. Stay safe, and prevent unauthorized access to your network.