This article explains how to trace the access password of a Wi-Fi network using a Windows or Mac system. This information is stored in clear text within the operating system settings. Alternatively, you can access the administration page of the network router where you can view the security password of the wireless network it manages. If these two methods don't work, you can reset the router to factory settings and use the default password. Unfortunately, it is not possible to trace the network password using a mobile device.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Use the Default Router Password
Step 1. Determine if the Wi-Fi network under consideration is protected by the router's default password
If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to find the access password for is protected by the router's default password (this means that you did not apply any customization during the initial configuration of the network device), you can get hold of it by consulting the documentation directly. attached to the device. Normally the SSID and password of the wireless network are also printed on the bottom of the router on an adhesive label.
If you have customized the security password of the Wi-Fi network in question, you will have to use another method
Step 2. Check the network router for the presence of the login password
Most router manufacturers clearly state the wireless network login credentials generated by their devices on an adhesive label that is affixed directly to the bottom of each device.
- Normally the password is printed next to the SSID.
- In most cases it is made up of a long series of numbers and letters, both uppercase and lowercase.
Step 3. Look for the password in your router's user manual or on the packaging
If you still have the instruction manual or the packaging, you may be able to find a copy of the label on which the wireless network login credentials generated by the device are printed. Look inside and outside the router box or browse the instruction manual. In some cases they are printed on a separate card. Remember that this method only works if you have not customized the router configuration by changing the default password for accessing its Wi-Fi network.
Unfortunately, this type of information, unlike others, cannot be found via an online search, as it is uniquely assigned to each device produced
Step 4. Consider using the "Wi-Fi Protected Setup" feature
Most modern routers allow automatic and encrypted connection of a device by simply pressing the "WPS" button on the back. Within a limited period of time (usually 1-2 minutes), after pressing the indicated key, it is possible to automatically access the Wi-Fi network generated by the router in question from any computer, mobile device, console, etc., simply by selecting the SSID of the latter and without the need to use any password.
- Not all network devices have this feature, so check the documentation that came with your router (or search online) to find out if your device has this feature.
- It should be noted that this system does not allow you to trace the current access password of the wireless network in question, but it does allow you to access it anyway. You can use one of the other methods described in the article to get hold of the information you are looking for.
Method 2 of 5: Find the Network Password on Windows Systems
Step 1. Select the Wi-Fi connection icon
It is located in the lower right corner of the desktop on the taskbar, next to the clock. The relevant menu will be displayed.
- This method allows you to trace the security password of the Wi-Fi network to which the computer is currently connected.
- If there is a monitor icon next to a network cable instead of showing the Wi-Fi connection icon, it means that the computer is connected directly to the router via an Ethernet cable. Unfortunately, in this case you will not be able to trace the Wi-Fi network password generated by the router.
Step 2. Select the Network and Internet Settings link
It is visible at the bottom of the box that appeared.
Step 3. Access the Wi-Fi tab
It is listed on the left side of the "Settings" window that appeared.
Step 4. Select the Change adapter options item
It is displayed in the upper right of the "Wi-Fi" tab, under the "Related Settings" section. A Windows "Control Panel" page will be displayed.
Step 5. Select the current wireless network connection
Inside the window that appeared, there should be a monitor icon with a series of green bars next to it. This is the wireless network connection.
Step 6. Press the View Connection Status button
It is located in the toolbar located at the top of the "Network Connections" window.
Step 7. Press the Wireless Properties button
It is located in the center of the newly appeared window.
Step 8. Access the Security tab
It is located at the top of the "Wi-Fi Status" window. A section will appear that contains the "Network Security Key" text field. The password for accessing the Wi-Fi network is stored within the latter.
Step 9. Select the "Show characters" checkbox
It is visible below the "Network Security Key" text field. In this way the contents of the latter will be displayed in clear text and you will be able to obtain the password to access the wireless network to which the computer is currently connected.
Method 3 of 5: Find the Network Password on Mac
Step 1. Open a Finder window
Click the blue stylized face icon visible within the Dock.
When using a Mac, the computer does not need to be connected to the Wi-Fi network in question to be able to trace its security password
Step 2. Enter the Go menu
It is one of the menus listed on the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Step 3. Choose the Utility option
It is one of the items listed in the menu Go.
Step 4. Double click on the Keychain Access icon
It features a bunch of keys and is visible in the "Utility" folder.
Step 5. Find the name of the Wi-Fi network in question and double-click it
This is the name that appears when your Mac is connected to the indicated wireless network.
The list of items visible in the "Keychain Access" window can be sorted alphabetically by clicking the column header First name.
Step 6. Select the "Show password" checkbox
It is located at the bottom of the window.
Step 7. When prompted, enter the login password for a system administrator account
It is the password you normally use to log in to the Mac. Entering the correct password will force the Wi-Fi network access password to be displayed in the relevant text field.
Method 4 of 5: Use the Router Administration Page
Step 1. Connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable
If you do not know the password to access the Wi-Fi network in question and the computer in use is not already connected to it, the only way to connect it to the network is to use an Ethernet cable.
- If you're using a Mac, chances are you'll need to buy a USB-C to Ethernet adapter, as most modern Macs don't have an RJ-45 network port.
- If you are unable to establish a wired connection between your computer and the network router, your only solution is to reset the device to factory default settings.
Step 2. Find the IP address of the router
This is essential information to access the device administration web interface:
- Windows systems: access the menu Start, select the item Settings (featuring a gear icon), choose the option Network and Internet, click the link View network properties and take note of the address visible next to the "Default gateway" entry of the active network connection.
- Mac: access the menu Apple, choose the option System Preferences, click the icon Network, push the button Advanced, access the tab TCP / IP and take note of the address visible on the right of the entry "Router:".
- Normally the most commonly used default IP addresses for routers are the following: 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.1. In the case of an Apple router it should be 10.0.0.1.
- In some cases, the IP address is shown on an adhesive label on the bottom of the network device.
Step 3. Log in to the router administration web interface
Open the internet browser of your choice and paste the IP address you just identified into the address bar.
To perform this step you can use any internet browser at your disposal
Step 4. Log in to the router's administration page
If the IP address entered is correct, you will most likely be asked to enter your login credentials in order to continue. In this case, log in as required by following these instructions:
- Normally the default username and password are admin for the username and admin and password for the password (in some cases it is not necessary to enter a password, so the "Password" field should be left blank). Most people, after the initial setup of their router is complete, customize their login credentials on their administration page. If this is the case for you and you no longer remember your login password, you will need to resolve the issue by factory reset your router.
- If you haven't changed the default username and password to access the router's administration page, they are most likely listed on a sticker on the underside of the device or in its documentation.
Step 5. Go to the "Wireless" section
After logging into your router, look for the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section of the configuration settings. They are usually listed at the top of the administration page in the form of tabs. Alternatively there should be a navigation bar on the left side of the page.
- It should be noted that each router has its own administration interface that differs visually from one device to another.
- The router login password may also appear at the top of the device administration page.
Step 6. Find the network password
The name of the wireless network generated by the router (SSID) is displayed in the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section of the page, together with the security protocol used to encrypt the information (for example WEP, WPA, WPA2 or WPA / WPA2). Next to this data there should be the text field "Passphrase" or "Password". The password for accessing the Wi-Fi network is displayed inside.
Method 5 of 5: Reset a Router's Factory Configuration Settings
Step 1. Understand when to use this method
If you have not been able to trace the access password of the wireless network in question using one of the other methods described in the article, it means that there is no way to get hold of this information, so the only solution is to reset the factory settings of the network router.
- By resetting the router, however, you will not be able to trace the current security password of the Wi-Fi network, but you will be able to access it using the default password reported in the instruction manual of the device or printed directly on the underside of the the latter.
- When you reset a network router, all currently connected devices will be automatically disconnected. For this reason this procedure should only be used as a last resort at your disposal.
Step 2. Locate the router's "Reset" button
It is normally placed on the back of the device. In order to press it, you will most likely need to use a paper clip or other small pointed object.
Step 3. Press and hold the "Reset" button for at least 30 seconds
This way you can be sure that the reset procedure will be complete.
The lights on the router should blink or stay on for a while, indicating that the device is being reset
Step 4. Find the router's default login credentials
They are usually printed directly on the underside of the device and include the following information:
- Network name or SSID: this is the default name of the wireless network generated by the router;
- Password or Key: This is the default access password of the router's Wi-Fi network.
Step 5. Connect to your wireless network
Select your Wi-Fi network name, then enter the security password printed directly on the underside of the network router.
Before you can access the web, you may have the ability to change your wireless network security password
Advice
If you need to change the current password for accessing your Wi-Fi network, choose a robust one, which is made up of a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Make sure the new password is not based on personal information that anyone could easily know or find
Warnings
- Do not try to get hold of the security password of a wireless network that you are not authorized to access.
- It is not possible to trace the login password of a Wi-Fi network using a mobile device.
