How to Change Your Wi-Fi Name in 7 Steps (with Photos)

Wi-Fi routers come with a default name that’s often generic and is way too similar to other routers available in your area. Luckily, your Wi-Fi name is changeable, even though it’s something that not many people know how to do. Therefore, if you’re here to learn how to change your Wi-Fi name, you’re in the right place!

Down below, you’ll learn how to change your Wi-Fi name in only 7 steps followed by photos so you know exactly what to expect and how to do it. Of course, everyone will most likely have a different internet router, but the process is very similar for everyone.

Let’s get into it!

How to Change a Wi-Fi Name in 7 Steps

Changing your Wi-Fi name requires you to get a little bit technical. However, in this article, we’ll show you the exact steps you should do so you know where to find the Wi-Fi name and how to change it.

Step 1: Make Sure You’re Connected to the Internet

Whether you connect to the internet via ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, it won’t matter as long as you’re online.

When you connect to the internet, you’ll see a network icon on Windows, a Wi-Fi or network icon on macOS, or a similar icon to other operating systems. This is the best indication that you’re online.

However, if you’d like to double check you’re connected to the internet, you can open your browser and type in any website. If the website loads, you’re online and can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Find the Router IP Address and Visit it in Your Browser

To change your Wi-Fi name, you’ll need to connect to your router’s address. Therefore, the first step is to visit the router’s address in your browser.

There are a few common router addresses, so you can give it a try by typing each one of them in your browser.

The most standard router IP address is 192.168.1.1, so that’s what you should type in your browser.

If the website loads, you’re at the right place (router homepage). However, if it doesn’t load, you have to try out other router addresses such as 192.168.1.2 or 192.168.1.3.

If you have no luck, you’ll have to access the router and check the router IP address at the back of the router.

Step 3: Log Into the Router

To log into the router, you’ll need to type in the username and password. Every router will have a different username and password. Chances are you won’t know the needed credentials, so here’s what you can do.

You can visit the router and physically find the username and password. Every router should have it written on the back or at the bottom of the router itself. If not, you can also see the exact model on the router’s homepage.

Google the model and try to look up credentials. The same router models will most likely have the same username and password, so you can find them in the user’s manual or you can find on the official website of the router company.

Step 4: Find the Wi-Fi Name in the Wireless Settings

Every router will have a different homepage and menu. However, Wi-Fi will almost always be under the Wireless Settings tab.

However, keep in mind, depending on your router model and make, you might have to go through all available menu settings to find the wireless settings and the Wi-Fi name.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that the Wi-Fi name is also referred to as SSID, so if you come across SSID in the settings, that’s essentially the Wi-Fi name.

Step 5: Change the Wi-Fi Name Under the SSID and Apply the Setting

When you come across the Wi-Fi name (SSID) under the Wireless Settings, you’ll be able to see the current Wi-Fi name within the box. That’s exactly where you can rename the Wi-Fi name to whatever you would like.

After that, you can press the Apply button on the page to ensure the setting applies.

Step 6: Reset the Router

After you apply the setting, you’ll be prompted to restart the router before you can see the new Wi-Fi name you just set. However, if you aren’t prompted for this, you might have to reboot the router yourself.

You can reboot the router yourself via the router’s menu page or physically at the touch of a button.

If nothing else works, disconnecting the router’s power and plugging it back into the power should do the job.

Step 7: Wait and See if the Name Changed

When the router boots up, you will be able to connect to it again. Sometimes, you might have to type in the password again to connect to the Wi-Fi.

However, at this point, you should be able to see the Wi-Fi name you previously set. If you have a computer that doesn’t have Wi-Fi ability, you can use your smartphone to check if your Wi-Fi name has changed.

How to Find the Login Information for Your Router

One step that puts people on hold from changing their Wi-Fi name is the router login information. Almost no one knows the router information, and since everyone most likely has a different router, you should do the work of finding your router’s credentials yourself.

The best way to find your router’s login information is to check the backside of the router and check credentials under the username and password fields. You will also be able to find the router’s IP address in case you didn’t figure it out on your own.

Also, keep in mind that the router’s credentials are sometimes also underneath the router’s stand so that’s another place you should check.

Most routers will display the router’s name and model on the router’s homepage, so you can copy and paste the information into Google to find the user’s manual. In the user’s manual, you’ll most likely find the username and the password for your router, so you will be able to save yourself the trip to the router.

Here is a step-by-step video for further reference:

Why Should You Change Your Wi-Fi Name?

There are a couple of reasons why you might want to change your Wi-Fi name.

One of the reasons is convenience. There’s a high chance you might not know your Wi-Fi name and you will have a hard time remembering it if it’s a default. The default combination is often a set of letters and numbers that don’t make much sense. So, if you change your Wi-Fi name, you’ll be able to share your Wi-Fi network with your guests, friends, and family much easier.

Another reason why you might want to change your Wi-Fi name is the hackers. If there are any hackers in your area, they’ll most likely try to target the Wi-Fi networks with a default Wi-Fi name, hoping that such a network is less taken care of by the owners. They might believe you have the default password as well, so they can use the cracking tools to gain access to your network.

However, one thing to consider is the Wi-Fi name. If you set your last name as the Wi-Fi name, everyone will know that this is your network, and if there’s a hacker who specifically wants to access your network, you’ll be targeted much more easily. We recommend keeping a name so only you will know it’s your network.

Wrapping Up

Learning how to change your Wi-Fi name isn’t as difficult as it looks and, with this guide, you’ll be able to get the job done easily.

Even though everyone most likely has a different router, the process is the same. Therefore, if you see a bit different menu than you see in the screenshots, you’ll still be able to follow it closely.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com.