Have you ever faced situations when you open up your laptop only to find that you can’t connect to the internet because you can’t remember the password of the WiFi network? It is a common scenario especially when you have multiple devices and each requires a different password. But what if you forget the password of the network you’re connected to? Fear not, in this blog post we’ll take you through different methods on how to see the password of connected WiFi so that you can easily connect your new devices to your WiFi network.
In this day and age where we are so dependent on internet connectivity, WiFi is undeniably important. But having multiple passwords for multiple devices can be quite confusing, especially when you forget one. This is where knowing how to see the password for connected WiFi comes in handy. Let’s take a look at what is needed before we jump into different methods.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
In order to see the password of connected WiFi you’ll need a laptop or desktop and the admin access to the internet router. It’s best to prepare in advance by ensuring that your internet router has the admin access and that you know the login credentials and IP address of your router. You’ll also need to be within the WiFi’s signal range as the password cannot be retrieved if you’re out of range.
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we begin, it is important to note that the methods highlighted in this post may not work for all systems, security protocols and systems tend to vary hence it’s important to try each method until you find one that suits your device. You’ll also need to be careful not to change any critical settings or make any changes to the router’s settings that you are not entirely sure about as this could affect the connectivity of multiple devices in your household.
Different Methods to See The Password of Connected WiFi
Method 1: Via Network Settings
This method works for Windows operating system versions 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
First, right click on the network connectivity icon on the bottom right corner of your desktop taskbar. Then select ‘Open Network and Sharing Center’. Once the Network and Sharing Center window appears, select the active wireless network
After selecting the active wireless network, click on the ‘Wireless Properties’ option and select the ‘Security’ tab. Then click on ‘Show Characters’ to reveal the password.
Pros:
Quick and easy method that doesn’t require any third party software.
Cons:
Only compatible with Windows operating system versions 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
Method 2: Via Command Prompt
This method works for Windows and Mac operating systems.
First, open the command prompt on your device. This can be done by pressing the ‘Windows + R’ or ‘Command + Space’ keys and typing ‘cmd’ or ‘terminal’, respectively.
Once the command prompt or terminal is open, type "netsh wlan show profile" and press enter. This will show the profiles of all the wireless networks you have connected to. Type "netsh wlan show profile [ssid name] key=clear" and replace [ssid name] with the name of the wireless network you want to see the password for. This will show details of the wireless network including the WiFi password.
Pros:
Can be used on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Cons:
Requires use of command prompt or terminal which may be daunting for beginners.
Method 3: Via WiFi Password Recovery App
This method works on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
There are several WiFi password recovery apps that you can download but one of the most popular ones is the WiFi Password Recovery Pro by iSunshare. Once downloaded and installed, launch the application and click the ‘Start Recovery’ button. The WiFi password will be displayed on the ‘Recovered Password’ section.
Pros:
Simple user interface for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Cons:
Requires third party software installation which may take up space on your device.
Why Can’t I See The Password of Connected WiFi?
Several reasons might lead to the inability to retrieve your WiFi password, some include:
1. Security Protocol
The security protocol of your WiFi network may not be compatible with the device you’re using. For instance, if you’re using an old Windows operating system, it might not be compatible with the WPA3 security protocol which is currently being used by several networks.
Fix:
Try using a device that is compatible with the security protocol of your WiFi network, or change the security protocol in the router settings to one that is compatible with your device.
2. Router Configuration
The router settings may be configured in such a way that it does not allow access to the WiFi password.
Fix:
Access the router settings and make changes to allow access to the WiFi password. However, it’s important to note that making changes to router settings can affect the connectivity of multiple devices in your household and should only be done by network professionals or those who are well equipped with the knowledge to do so safely.
3. Forgotten Password of Router
You may not be able to see the password of connected WiFi because you have forgotten the password to the router or don’t have the admin access to the router.
Fix:
You can reset the router to its default settings by pressing and holding the reset button on the router for a few seconds. This will erase all the saved settings including the password and allow you to set up the router as if it were new. This should only be done if you’re familiar with setting up a router and have all the necessary prerequisites like the default login credentials and instructions for the specific router model.
Implications and Recommendations
Knowing how to see the password of connected WiFi can prove to be useful in instances where you have several devices that require different passwords or when you forget a password. However, it’s important to use these methods with caution and be mindful not to make changes to the router settings that you’re not familiar with to avoid affecting the connectivity of other devices. It’s recommended that you change your WiFi password frequently to prevent unauthorized access to your network.
5 FAQs About Seeing The Password of Connected WiFi
Q. 1. What if I don’t have admin access to the router?
A. You won’t be able to see the password of the connected WiFi network as you don’t have access to the router settings.
Q. 2. Can I see the password of a WiFi that I’m not connected to?
A. No, you can only see the password of the WiFi network that you are currently connected to.
Q. 3. Can I use an Android device for this?
A. Yes, you can use the method highlighted in method 2 on an Android device that supports command prompt.
Q. 4. What other WiFi password recovery apps can I use?
A. Other apps that you can use include WiFi Password Viewer by SimoneDev, WiFi Password Recovery by WPA Tester and WiFi Key Recovery by Alexandros Schillings.
Q. 5. Is it safe to use third party software for this?
A. It depends on the software you use, some might contain malware hence it’s important to do thorough research before downloading any software onto your device.
In Conclusion
Forgetting WiFi passwords has become more common now that we have multiple devices that we use to access the internet. Knowing how to see the password of connected WiFi can be useful in these instances but it’s important to be mindful of the implications of making changes to router settings without proper knowledge. Always change your WiFi password frequently to avoid unauthorized access.