HOW TO CHANGE YOUR WI-FI NETWORK NAME AND PASSWORD

Is your Wifi network name still set to default “Linksys” or “TP-Link123”? Maybe your password is something cryptic like “a1b2c3d4”? While these default settings are functional, they don’t quite scream personalized or security. 

Changing your Wifi name and password is no rocket science! It is very simple and effective when it comes to securing your home network. This blog covers up everything you need to know about how to change wifi password and how to change the name of router with a step by step guide to simplify things for you. 

Why Should I Change My Wifi Name and Password?

Before we dive into “how” let’s first quickly talk about the “why”. 

• Sticking with default names and passwords make it a lot easier for hackers to invade your privacy. Changing the settings can keep them away from having unauthorized access. 
• Keeping a unique Wifi name makes it a lot easier to identify your network in the list of all available networks your device can pick up. This comes in handy when you live in apartments or a crowded neighborhood. 
• Sometimes, changing the default settings can help to avoid any conflict with nearby networks. This helps improve your Wifi’s performance. 

Now that’s over with, let’s get to the main stuff. 

Step-by-Step Guide by Accessing Router Settings

In case you do not have the app, here is how you can easily access your router settings.

Step 1: Access Your Router’s Settings

• Make sure your device (computer, tablet or smartphone) is connected to the Wifi network.
• Open up your web browser, it can be any browser you prefer (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc)
• Enter the router IP address into the browser bar. Usually the address is either 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If these don’t work, look at the sticker on the router or the manual for the correct IP address. 

Step 2: Log In to Your Router

You will be asked to enter the username and password to enter. Guessing that you haven’t changed these from the default, both the username and password is often “admin”. You can recheck your router’s manual if you are unsure. 

Step 3: Find the Wireless Settings

Once you’re in, look for sections labeled as “Wireless”, “Wifi” or “Wireless Settings”. This is where you get to change the network name (SSID) and password.

Step 4: Change the Network Name (SSID)

In the wireless settings section, look for the field labeled as “SSID” or “Network Name”. This is how to change the name of the router. Choose a name that is unique, easy to remember and does not give away any personal information. DragonNet or CoffeeShopWifi are some examples. 

Step 5: Change the Wifi Password

With the name changed, all there’s left is how to change wifi password? Below the SSID field is the space for password where you can change it. For security reasons, pick a strong password. 

A password is considered strong when it is at least 12 characters long and is a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Again, choose a password that is easy to remember yet not obvious choices like “password123”. 

Step 6: Save Your Changes

Once you have entered your details, make sure you hit “Save”, “Apply” or “Save Settings”. Your router may reboot to apply the new settings. 

It is also advisable to test your wireless connection after you hit save. If you have wired your laptop to the router, switch it to Wifi and see if the mission was a success. Better look now than to have it start all over again. 

Step 7: Reconnect Your Device

After the reboot it’s time to reconnect your devices with the new named network and password. 

Changing Router Settings using an App

These days all the standalone routers, mesh systems and gateways come with mobile apps. This makes it a lot easier to change the settings whenever you want. 

For this you just need the router’s default username and password i.e, is “admin” or use a cloud account. This depends on the router type, connection (remote or local) and manufacturer. 

Simply just go to settings > wifi name, change that then go to wifi password and change that too. Save it and you’re all set. 

Troubleshooting Tips

Changing your Wifi network name and password is pretty straight forward. However, incase you end up with a troubleshoot, don’t panic, here is what you can do:

• In case you are unable to access the router’s IP address, just make sure your device is connected to the network you want to change and double check the IP address. 
• If you forget your login details after changing them, you most likely have to reset the router to factory settings. This will revert everything to default settings, bringing you back to square one. Use the above steps to reset it all again. 
• Is your device not connecting? Make sure you enter the correct password. Always remember, passwords are case sensitive.  

Tips for a Secure and Efficient Network

• Regularly update the firmware of your router. Manufacturers, like Wavenet Broadband, release updates to improve the overall performance and security.
• It’s in your best interest if you consider setting up a guest network for your guests. This keeps your main network secure.
• Some routers come with features like network monitoring. Use this to keep an eye on any unfamiliar devices. 

Conclusion

As you can see, changing your Wifi name and password is a piece of cake. Follow these simple steps and you will end up a pro when it comes to changing network settings. The key elements you need to remember here is to ensure your network is secured well with a strong password. 

It is always a good habit to keep changing the wifi name and password (at least the password) every once in a while. This will save you from the potential headaches down the line. 

If you have any questions or need any sort of assistance, feel free to reach out to us at wavenet.co. We are here to help you with all your network needs!

Happy Surfing!