How to change the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) on any router: instructions with photos and tips

You just bought a new router, and the network is called TP-Link_1234 or Keenetic-5GHz? Or do you want to hide personal information from the name of your home Wi-Fi so that your neighbors don't know your last name? Changing the name of your wireless network (or SSID) is one of the first settings you should make after connecting your router. This is not only a matter of aesthetics but also security: standard names often include the device model, making it easier for hackers.

In this article you will find Step-by-step instructions for popular router brands (from Xiaomi to MikroTik), you'll learn how to create a reliable network name and avoid common mistakes. And if you're worried about breaking something, don't worry: changing the SSID won't affect your internet performance unless you change other settings. The main thing is After changing the name, all connected devices (smartphones, laptops, smart speakers) will automatically disconnect from the network and require you to re-enter the password..

What is an SSID and why is it better to change it?

SSID (from English) Service Set Identifier) is the technical name of your Wi-Fi network, which is displayed in the list of available connections. By default, manufacturers assign standard names to routers like ASUS_5G_D487 or Tenda_FH1201Such names pose two problems:

• 🔍 Information leak: by name, you can determine the router model and find vulnerabilities for attack (for example, if you have not updated the firmware).
• 🏠 Confusion in apartment buildings: When 10 neighbors have networks with the same name, it's hard to figure out which one is yours.
• 🔒 Risk of connecting to a false network: scammers may create an access point with a similar name (for example, MyWiFi_Free instead of yours MyWiFi) and intercept traffic.

You can change the SSID at any time through the router's web interface. This doesn't affect internet speed or network coverage, but it does make your network more personalized and secure. For example, instead of HUAWEI-B315-4G you can call the network DragonLair_5GHz or NetflixAndChill — the main thing is that the name is unique within your radius of action.

How to access router settings: a comprehensive guide

Before changing the SSID, you need to access the router's control panel. To do this:

1. Connect to the router via cable (via port LAN) or via Wi-Fi (if the network is already working).
2. Open any browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari) and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. Typically, it's:
   • 192.168.0.1 (For TP-Link, D-Link, Tenda)
   • 192.168.1.1 (For ASUS, Zyxel, Mercusys)
   • 192.168.8.1 (for some models Xiaomi)
   • my.keenetic.net (For Keenetic)

If the IP address does not open, check:

• 🔌 Connect the cable (the port should light up green/blue).
• 🌐 No VPN or proxy in the browser.
• 🔄 Reboot the router (turn off the power for 30 seconds).

Step-by-step instructions for popular router brands

The router interfaces are different, but the principle of changing the SSID is the same: you need to find the wireless network section (Wireless or Wi-Fi) and edit the field Network name (Network Name or SSID). Below are screenshots and paths for the most common brands.

1. TP-Link (Archer, Deco, TL-WR)

Path: Basic Settings → Wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) → Network Name (SSID)

Peculiarities:

• 📶 On some models (for example, Archer C6) the settings for 2.4 and 5 GHz are separate - change both names if you use both networks.
• 🔄 After saving, the router may reboot (this will take 1–2 minutes).

2. ASUS (RT-AX, RT-AC, ZenWiFi)

Path: Wireless Network → General → Network Name (SSID)

Peculiarities:

• 🎨 In ASUS can be turned on AI Protection (tab Protection) so that the router automatically blocks suspicious devices.
• 📡 If you have a mesh system ZenWiFi, the network name will be the same for all nodes.

3. Keenetic (Giga, Hero, Viva)

Path: Wi-Fi Network → Access Point → Network Name

Peculiarities:

• 🔐 In Keenetic can be created guest network with a separate SSID directly in this same section.
• 🌐 The interface is available in Russian and English — switch in the upper right corner.

4. Xiaomi (Mi Router, AIoT Router)

Path: Settings → Wi-Fi → 2.4G / 5G Network Name

Peculiarities:

• 📱 You can control the router via the app Mi Wi-Fi (available for Android And iOS).
• 🔄 After changing the name, the network will restart and all devices will disconnect.

5. MikroTik (hAP, RB)

Path: Wireless → wlan1 (or wlan2) → General → Name (SSID)

Peculiarities:

• ⚙️ MikroTik requires more technical knowledge - there is no "simple" interface.
• 📊 Changing Wi-Fi settings may require a license (depending on the version) RouterOS).

Changed the name for BOTH frequencies (2.4 and 5 GHz), if they exist

Make sure the "Hide SSID" field is NOT active (otherwise the network will not be visible)

Write down your new password (if you changed it along with your name)

Connected the router to a UPS (so as not to interrupt the setup if the power goes out)-->

How to Come Up with a Good Wi-Fi Name: 5 Rules and 20 Creative Ideas

The network name can be anything from strict Office_WiFi_Floor3 to the point of humor FBI_Surveillance_Van_#5But there are a few rules to keep in mind:

1. Uniqueness: Check your smartphone to see if there are any nearby networks with the same name. For example, if a neighbor already has one HomeSweetHome, add numbers: HomeSweetHome_42.
2. Lack of personal data: Do not use your last name, address, or apartment number (e.g. Ivanov_kv56).
3. Length: Optimally, 8–15 characters. Excessively long names may be truncated on some devices.
4. Symbols: Avoid spaces at the beginning/end and special characters like #, @, $ - They can cause connection problems on older gadgets.
5. Language: if you use Cyrillic (for example, Homemade Waffle), make sure that all devices support it (some smart bulbs only work with the Latin alphabet).

Get inspired by these ideas (or generate your own via Wi-Fi name service):

Common mistakes when changing SSIDs and how to avoid them

Even something as simple as changing a network name can go wrong. Here are the most common errors and how to fix them:

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the SSID the network disappears from the list of available networks, check whether you have activated the option Hide Network (Hide SSID). In this case, you can only connect manually by entering the network name on the device.

• 🔄 The router does not save changes: This could be due to a firmware issue. Try:
  1. Update firmware via section System Tools → Update.
  2. Reset settings with the button Reset and repeat the setup.
  3. Use a different browser (eg. Firefox instead of Chrome).

If nothing helps, use event log (chapter System log or Logs). There may be clues there, such as an authentication error or an IP address conflict.

Security: What Else to Configure Along with the SSID

Changing your network name is just the first step in securing your Wi-Fi. To minimize the risk of hacking or unauthorized access, check a few more settings:

1. Encryption type: must be WPA3-Personal (or WPA2-PSK for older devices). WEP And WPA are unsafe and can be hacked in minutes.

   ⚠️ Attention: If your router does not support WPA3, update the firmware or consider purchasing a new model (for example, ASUS RT-AX55 or TP-Link Archer AX23).

2. Wi-Fi password: must contain at least 12 characters, including capital letters, numbers and signs (!@#$%). Examples of strong passwords:
   • CorrectHorseBatteryStaple (method Diceware)
   • 7h!5P@ssw0rd!sN0tS3cur3 (mixed case + numbers)

Also recommended:

• 🔄 Update your router firmware every 3–6 months (in the section System Tools → Update).
• 📡 Disable WPS (vulnerable fast connection protocol) in the security settings.
• 🕵️ Periodically check the list of connected devices (section DHCP → Clients or Connected Devices).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

netsh wlan delete profile name="OLD_NETWORK_NAME"