Change your router's name through its admin panel

Your router's name—called the SSID (Service Set Identifier)—is what you see when you search for Wi-Fi networks on your phone or computer. You change it by logging into your router's settings page, finding the wireless or SSID section, typing a new name, and saving the change. The whole process takes about five minutes and requires only your router's admin password.

The name you choose appears to everyone in range of your router, so pick something you'll recognize and that won't confuse guests. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. After you save the change, your devices will disconnect briefly, and you'll need to reconnect using the new name.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your router by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser, then enter your admin username and password.
  • Look for a section labeled "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Network," or "SSID" in your router's settings menu.
  • Type your new network name in the SSID field, save the changes, and wait for your router to restart.
  • Reconnect all your devices to the network using the new name and your existing Wi-Fi password.
  • If you forget your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Find your router's IP address and log in

Every router has an admin panel you access through a web browser. To reach it, you need your router's IP address, which is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Type this address into the address bar of any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on a device connected to your Wi-Fi.

A login page will appear asking for a username and password. The default username is often "admin" and the password is either "admin," "password," or something printed on the router itself. If you changed these credentials before and don't remember them, you'll need to reset the router—see the reset section below.

Once you log in, you'll see your router's settings dashboard. This looks different depending on the brand (Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Asus, etc.), but the layout is similar across most models.

Locate the wireless or SSID settings

After logging in, look for a menu item labeled "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Network," or sometimes "Advanced." Click on it. You should see a field labeled SSID, "Network Name," or "Wireless Network Name." This is where your current router name appears.

Some routers show separate settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks (or 6 GHz if you have a newer Wi-Fi 6 router). You can give each band the same name or different names—most people use the same name so devices switch between bands automatically. If you see both options, change whichever one you want, or change both.

Type your new name and save

Click in the SSID field and clear the current name. Type your new network name. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, spaces, and characters like hyphens and underscores. Avoid special characters like @ or # because some older devices won't connect to networks with them.

After typing the new name, scroll down and click the "Save," "explore," or "OK" button. Your router will restart—this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. During this time, all connected devices will lose Wi-Fi and then reconnect automatically if they're set to remember the network.

Reconnect your devices to the new network

Once your router restarts, your devices will no longer see the old network name. On each device, go to your Wi-Fi settings and look for the new network name you just created. Select it and enter your Wi-Fi password (this stays the same unless you changed it separately in the router settings).

Phones and computers usually reconnect automatically if they're set to remember the network. Older devices or smart home gadgets (thermostats, cameras, speakers) may need you to manually forget the old network and reconnect to the new one. Check the device's Wi-Fi settings if it doesn't appear automatically.

Reset your router if you forgot the admin password

If you can't log into your router because you don't remember the admin password, you can reset it to factory settings. Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router—it's usually recessed so you can't press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold down the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

The router will restart and return to its default settings. The default username and password will be printed on the sticker on the device. After you log back in, you can change the SSID as described above. Note that resetting also erases any other changes you made to the router's settings, like port forwarding or security settings.

Change your Wi-Fi password at the same time

While you're in the wireless settings, you can also change your Wi-Fi password (called the "Pre-Shared Key" or "Passphrase"). This is separate from the SSID and is what people enter when they connect to your network. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include letters, numbers, and symbols.

Changing the password will disconnect all your devices, so plan to do this when you have time to reconnect everything. Write down your new password somewhere safe before you save the changes, because you'll need it to reconnect each device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my router name affect my internet speed?

No. The SSID is just a label—changing it does not affect how fast your internet runs or how your router performs. It's purely for identification so you can find your network when connecting devices.

Can I use any name I want for my router?

Almost any name works, but avoid special characters like @, #, or &. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Very long names (over 32 characters) may not display properly on older devices, so keep it reasonably short.

Do I need to change my Wi-Fi password when I change the network name?

No, the password and the network name are separate. You can change just the name and keep the same password. However, it's a good time to update your password if it's been a while or if you think someone has it.

What happens to devices that were connected to the old network name?

They will disconnect and won't automatically reconnect because the old network no longer exists. You'll need to manually connect each device to the new network name using your Wi-Fi password. Most phones and computers will prompt you to do this when they notice the old network is gone.

Can I have two different network names on the same router?

Yes, if your router supports dual-band or tri-band Wi-Fi. You can give the 2.4 GHz band one name and the 5 GHz band a different name. Some routers also let you create a guest network with its own separate name and password. Check your router's wireless settings to see if this option is available.