How to Unlink Someone Connected to My Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Have you noticed your internet speed has suddenly dropped, and unfamiliar devices have appeared in the list of connected devices? Or has your router started overheating for no apparent reason? It's likely that someone has connected to your Wi-Fi network. This not only steals your traffic but also creates security risks: through router vulnerabilities, attackers can access personal data or infect the network with viruses.

In this article we will analyze All working methods to disable other people's devices — from a basic password change to advanced methods like MAC filtering and creating a "guest" network. We'll provide step-by-step instructions for popular router brands (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) and explain why some methods work temporarily, while others work permanently. We'll also tell you how identify the "parasites" by IP address or device name and what to do if the router is blocked by a virus.

Spoiler: the most reliable way is a combination of change password, enabling WPA3 And MAC filteringBut there are also more radical measures for experienced users.

1. How to find out if strangers are connected to your Wi-Fi

Before blocking devices, you need to confirm that the problem actually exists. Here Signs of a Wi-Fi leak:

✅ Internet speed has dropped sharply without changing the tariff. For example, earlier the video in 4K It loaded without buffering, but now it even slows down 720p.

✅ The router is overheating or rebooting frequently.Third-party devices create additional load on the processor, especially if they download torrents or stream videos.

✅ There are unknown devices in the list of connected gadgetsCheck this in the router's web interface (instructions below). Pay attention to unfamiliar names like Android-123456 or iPhone (unknown).

✅ Traffic is running out faster than usualIf you have a limited data plan, check your statistics in your provider's personal account—sudden spikes in consumption may indicate data abuse.

🔍 How to view a list of connected devices:

1. Open your browser and enter the router's IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).
3. Find a section like DHCP Clients, Connected Devices or Local area network.

If you see a suspicious device, write it down MAC address (like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E) And IP - they will be needed for blocking.

2. Method 1: Change your Wi-Fi password quickly and securely

This the simplest and most effective method, which will immediately disconnect all unauthorized users. After changing the password, all devices (including yours) will be disconnected and will have to reconnect.

🔹 How to change the password on a router:

1. Go to the router's web interface (see instructions above).
2. Find the section Wireless (or Wi-Fi, Wireless network).
3. In the field Password (Password, Wireless Key) enter a new password.
4. Select the security type WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK (the latter is more reliable, but not all devices support it).
5. Save the settings and reboot the router.

⚠️ Attention: Don't use simple passwords like 12345678 or qwertyThe best option is 12+ characters with letters, numbers, and symbols (For example, WiFi$ecure_2026!Rou7er). To avoid forgetting, save it in a password manager (KeePass, Bitwarden).

💡 Why WPA3 is better than WPA2: Routers with WPA3 support (released after 2019) are resistant to dictionary attacks, even with a weak password. However, older smartphones (before Android 10) and some smart devices (eg, Xiaomi Mi Home 2018) may not be able to connect to such a network.

Make sure all your devices are reconnected.

Check your internet speed for improvements

Update your password in your smart home settings (if you use one)

Write down the new password in a safe place-->

3. Method 2: Blocking by MAC address – reliable, but not perfect

If you don't want to change your password (for example, you have a lot of smart devices that are difficult to reconfigure), you can block specific gadgets by their MAC addressThis method works even if the attacker knows the Wi-Fi password.

🔹 How to block a device by MAC:

1. Find the MAC address of the suspicious device in the client list (see section 1).
2. Go to the section Wireless MAC Filtering (or MAC address filter, Access Control).
3. Add the MAC address to the blacklist (Deny) or create a whitelist (Allow) only for your devices.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

⚠️ AttentionMAC addresses can be spoofed, so this method does not provide 100% protectionHowever, it is useful in combination with other measures.

📊 Comparison of blocking methods:

🔧 How to bypass MAC filtering:

Attackers can replace their MAC with an authorized one (for example, using commands in Linux:

sudo ifconfig wlan0 down
sudo ifconfig wlan0 hw ether 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
sudo ifconfig wlan0 up

That's why don't rely on this method alone.

4. Method 3: Hiding the Wi-Fi network (SSID) - weak protection, but an additional barrier

If you disable network name broadcasting (SSID), your Wi-Fi will not be visible in the list of available networks. However, this does not protect against targeted attacks: An experienced user can find a hidden network using special programs (Wireshark, NetStumbler).

🔹 How to hide your SSID:

1. Go to your router settings → section Wireless Settings.
2. Find the option Hide SSID (or Hide SSID, Enable Hidden Wireless).
3. Activate it and save the settings.

⚠️ Attention: After hiding the SSID, your devices will not be able to connect automatically. You will have to enter the network name manually. Android This is done in the Wi-Fi settings → Add a network, on iOS — Other.

💡 When to use this method:

- In combination with other measures (e.g. MAC filtering).

- If you have few devices and you are ready to enter the SSID manually.

- For temporary protection (for example, during vacation).

5. Method 4: Guest network – isolating foreign devices

If you don't want to completely block other people's gadgets (for example, you give Wi-Fi to guests), set up guest networkIt operates in parallel with the main one, but has a separate password and limited access to local resources (printers, network drives).

🔹 How to set up a guest network on routers of different brands:

• 📡 TP-Link: Guest Network → Enable Guest Network, set a separate SSID and password.
• 📡 ASUS: Guest Network → Enable, specify the range 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
• 📡 Keenetic: Home Network → Segments → Guest Network.
• 📡 MikroTik: Create a new one Virtual AP V Wireless.

✅ Benefits of a Guest Network:

- Third-party devices cannot see your local resources.

- You can limit the speed or time of the network operation.

- The main network remains secure.

❌ Flaws:

- An attacker can connect to the guest network and attack the router.

- Requires separate configuration on each router.

6. Method 5: IP address restriction (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if you know IP address third-party device. You can block it in your router settings or through a firewall.

🔹 IP blocking in a router:

1. Find the IP of the suspicious device in the client list.
2. Go to Firewall or Access Control.
3. Add a block rule for this IP (eg. 192.168.0.105).

🔹 Blocking via Windows (if the router does not support firewall):

1. Open Command line on behalf of the administrator.
2. Enter the command:

   arp -a

   to see all IP and MAC addresses on the network.

3. Block IP using firewall:

   netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block WiFi Intruder" dir=in interface=Wi-Fi action=block remoteip=192.168.0.105

⚠️ Attention: IP addresses in the local network can change (if DHCP is enabled). For permanent blocking, it is better to use MAC address.

7. What to do if your router is infected with a virus or blocked