Windows PC or laptopForgot passwordOther / not sure
How to fix “Forgot password” on your Windows PC or laptop
Locked out of your own network? Here’s how to find or reset the Wi-Fi password. Written for your Windows PC or laptop, with your current router in mind.
These steps are written for a Windows 10 or 11 PC or laptop. The router-side fixes apply to every device on your network.
Everyone misplaces the Wi-Fi password eventually. Often it’s recoverable in a minute — and if it isn’t, a quick router reset gets you back in.
Try the recovery steps first: a full reset erases your custom settings.
On your router
Check the sticker on the bottom or back for the admin address and default password, and use the status lights as a guide: power solid, Wi-Fi solid, internet solid means the router side is healthy.
Your step-by-step fix
1On your Windows PC, open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi and check the connection status for your network.
2Check the sticker on your router for its default Wi-Fi password (often labelled “Wi-Fi Password”, “Wireless Key”, or “WPA Key”).
3Look for the saved password on a device that’s already connected: on Windows, open the network’s properties; on a Mac, find it in Keychain Access; on Android or iPhone, view it in the saved-network or saved-passwords settings.
4Sign in to your router’s admin page (the address and login are usually on the same sticker) and read the password from the wireless settings.
5If you changed the password and can’t recover it anywhere, contact your internet provider — they can often resend it.
6Last resort: reset the router to factory settings with the reset button, then use the default password from the sticker. You’ll need to reconfigure any custom settings.
After recovering it, store the password somewhere you’ll actually find it — a password manager is ideal.
A factory reset also resets your network name, so neighbouring devices won’t see your old network either.
When you set a new password, make it at least 12 characters — length matters far more than clever symbols.
A laptop’s Wi-Fi can be disabled by a physical switch or a function key (often F2/F12) — look for an airplane or Wi-Fi icon on the keys.
The Windows network troubleshooter (Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings) fixes adapter glitches automatically.
This wasn't quite it?Build a different fix for another device or issue, or read the general recover or reset your wi-fi password guide.