Where to change your password depends on what you're changing

Your internet setup involves multiple passwords, and each one changes in a different place. You might need to change your Wi-Fi password (the one you give guests), your router admin password (which protects your router's settings), or your internet service provider account password (which you use to log into your account online). Most people mean the Wi-Fi password when they say "internet password," but knowing which one you're changing matters because the steps are completely different.

The Wi-Fi password lives in your router's settings. The router admin password also lives there, but protects access to those settings. Your ISP account password lives on your ISP's website. If you change the wrong one, nothing breaks — you just won't have changed what you intended to change.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Wi-Fi password is stored in your router and changed through the router's settings page, which you reach by typing your router's IP address into a web browser.
  • You will need your router's admin username and password to access the settings page, which is different from your Wi-Fi password.
  • Your ISP account password is changed on your ISP's website, not on your router, and controls access to your billing and account information.
  • If you have forgotten your router admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button, but this erases all your custom settings.
  • Write down or save your new Wi-Fi password somewhere you can find it, because you will need to give it to devices that connect to your network.

How to change your Wi-Fi password through your router

Open a web browser on a device connected to your Wi-Fi. Type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router to be sure. You will see a login page asking for a username and password. This is your router admin login, not your Wi-Fi password.

Enter your router admin username and password. The default is often "admin" for both, but if you changed it before, use what you set. Once you are logged in, look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Network Settings. Find the field labeled SSID (the name of your network) and the one labeled Password or Pre-Shared Key. Change only the password field to something new. Leave the SSID name the same unless you want to rename your network. Click Save or Apply.

Your router will restart, which takes about one to two minutes. During this time, all devices will disconnect from Wi-Fi. After the restart, reconnect your devices using the new password. You will need to enter the new password on each device — phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and anything else that uses your Wi-Fi.

How to change your router admin password

Log into your router's settings page the same way: type the IP address into your browser, then enter your current admin username and password. Look for a section called Administration, System Settings, or Security. Find the option to change the admin password or router password.

Enter your current admin password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click Save or Apply. Your router may restart. After this change, you will need to use the new admin password the next time you log into the router's settings page. Write this down somewhere safe — if you forget it, you will have to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings including your Wi-Fi password.

How to change your ISP account password on the provider's website

Go to your internet service provider's website and log into your account. This is separate from your router — you are logging into the ISP's customer portal, not your router. Look for Account Settings, Profile, or Security. Find the option to change your password or update login credentials.

Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Save or Confirm. This password controls access to your billing information, service details, and account management on the ISP's website. Changing it does not affect your Wi-Fi or your internet connection — it only changes how you log into the ISP's website.

What to do if you forgot your router admin password

If you cannot remember your router admin password and cannot log into the settings page, you can reset the router to factory settings. Find the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart.

After the restart, the router will be back to its factory default settings. Log in using the default admin username and password, which is printed on the sticker on your router. However, resetting the router also erases your custom Wi-Fi password and network name, so you will need to set those up again. Any devices that were connected to your Wi-Fi will also be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password.

What to do if you forgot your Wi-Fi password

If you forgot your Wi-Fi password but remember your router admin password, log into the router settings page and look at the Wi-Fi or Wireless section. The current Wi-Fi password is usually displayed there, though sometimes it is hidden behind asterisks or a "show password" button. Click the button to reveal it, or write down the password you see.

If you forgot both your Wi-Fi password and your router admin password, reset the router to factory settings using the reset button. Then log in with the default credentials on the sticker, and set up a new Wi-Fi password and admin password from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Wi-Fi password disconnect my devices?

Yes, all devices will disconnect when the router restarts after you save the new password. You will need to reconnect each device by selecting your network name and entering the new password. Devices that are not in range or turned off will reconnect the next time they try to use Wi-Fi.

Can I change my password without logging into the router?

No, the Wi-Fi password is stored in the router itself, so you must access the router's settings page to change it. There is no way to change it from your phone or computer without going through the router's admin page.

What is the difference between my Wi-Fi password and my router admin password?

Your Wi-Fi password is what you give to guests so they can connect to your network. Your router admin password protects access to the router's settings page, where you can change Wi-Fi passwords, network names, and other configurations. They are separate and serve different purposes.

Do I need to change my password if I change my router?

If you replace your router with a new one, you will set up a new Wi-Fi password on the new router. Your old password only works with the old router. Your ISP account password stays the same because it is not tied to any specific router.

How often should I change my Wi-Fi password?

There is no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable if you want to remove access for devices or people you no longer want on your network. If you suspect someone has your password, change it right away.