How to Find Your Network's Wireless Password
Instructions on how to find your Wi-Fi network's wireless password.
What to Do:
Look for a sticker on your router.
Many routers provided by internet service providers (ISPs) have a sticker on the bottom or side, listing the default wireless password.
Check the network settings within Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Mac OS.
If a PC is connected to your wireless network, you can often find the wireless password saved within the PC's settings.
- If you do not have a device that uses the operating systems listed below, there may not be an option to review a saved wireless password. Please skip to the next step.
Windows 7
- Left-click the wireless signal icon in the Windows 7 Taskbar (most often located in the bottom right corner).
- Right-click your wireless network name and select "Properties".
- Select the "Security" tab at the top and select the "Show Characters" check box to display your wireless password (network security key).
Windows 8
- Open the Charm bar, and select "Settings".
- If using a mouse, you can open the Charm bar by moving the pointer to the upper-right or lower-right corner of your screen.
- If you are using a touchscreen device, you can open the Charm bar by swiping left starting from the right side of your screen.
- Select the wireless network icon (wireless signal bar icon) to display a list available wireless networks.
- If using a mouse, right-click on your wireless network name, or if using a touchscreen, press and hold your wireless network name, and select "View Connection Properties".
- Select the "Security" tab located at the top, and then select the "Show Characters" box. Your wireless network password will be displayed in the "Network Security Key" box.
Windows 8.1
- Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and click "Search".
- In the search box, enter "View Network Connections", and in the search results click "View Network Connections".
- In the Network Connections window, right-click the network name, and then click "Status".
- Click the "Wireless Properties" button.
- Click the "Security" tab, and click the "Show Characters" check box.
- The password for the wireless network is displayed in the "Network Security Key" field.
Windows 10
- Go to Start and enter in the search box "View Network Connections", then press "Enter".
- In the Network Connections window, right-click the network name, and select "Status".
- Click the "Wireless Properties" button.
- Click the "Security" tab, and then click the "Show Characters" check box.
- The password for the wireless network is displayed in the "Network Security Key" field.
Mac OS
Wireless password:
- Click on the Finder icon.
- Select "Applications" on the left, and then "Utilities".
- Select "Keychain Access".
- On the left, ensure "Login" is selected under Keychains and "Passwords" is selected under Category.
- Find the name of your wireless network, and ensure the "Kind" field is labeled "Airport Network Password", and then double-click this listing.
- Click on the checkbox next to "Show Password" and enter your computer's Adminstrator password and click "Allow".
- Hold the Option key on your keyboard, and then select the Wi-Fi icon located on the menu bar.
- The currently connected network's information will be displayed as light grey text, and the security type will be listed next to "Security".
- If the grey text is not visible, hover over your network with your mouse to display this information.
Look for the wireless password within your router/access point's settings.
If you were unable to find your password using the previous methods, you can locate your router's wireless password within the router settings.
Situation Not Resolved:
Please contact the person or company that set up your network if you require additional assistance locating your wireless password.