How to view the WiFi password on a Huawei router

Many users are familiar with the situation of needing to connect a new device to a wireless network, but the password has long been forgotten or written down on a piece of paper that has been misplaced. Equipment owners Huawei Often, the standard sticker on the router's case wears off or becomes illegible over time. Fortunately, the operating system architecture of these routers makes it easy to retrieve forgotten data if you have access to the settings or at least one device already connected.

There are several proven methods for restoring lost network access information. You can use the web management interface, the manufacturer's mobile app, or even a physical reset as a last resort. Each of these methods has its own characteristics, advantages, and requirements for the connected equipment.

In this article, we'll cover all possible solutions in detail, from the simplest to the most drastic. We'll cover the nuances of working with different firmware versions and models to ensure you can restore access to your local network without calling a specialist.

Using the router's web interface

The most reliable and common way to find out WPA2 security key — This is accessing the admin panel through a browser. To do this, you'll need a device (laptop, smartphone, or tablet) that's already connected to the router either via Wi-Fi or a LAN cable. Open any browser and enter your device's IP address in the address bar, which is the default for most models. Huawei equal 192.168.3.1 or 192.168.8.1.

After navigating to the address, the system will prompt you for authorization. If you've previously changed your administrator password, enter it. If this is your first time logging in, the authorization information is often found on the same sticker as your WiFi credentials, or the default login is used (login: admin, password: admin). Once in the main menu, find the section responsible for the wireless network. It may be called WLAN, Wi-Fi Settings or Wireless network depending on the firmware version and localization.

Inside the WLAN settings section, look for the field WPA Pre-Shared Key or Wi-Fi PasswordIn modern firmware versions, password characters may be hidden by asterisks. To see them, find and click the "Show" button (the eye) or uncheck the "Hide" box. If this option isn't available, you can simply copy the value or rewrite it. After changing any settings, be sure to click the "Show" button. Save or Apply, although saving is usually not required to view the password.

⚠️ Note: If you change the password in the web interface, all devices connected to the network will immediately lose connection. You will have to re-enter the new security key on each device.

The interface may vary depending on the model, but the logic remains the same. Below is a table of these addresses and sections for popular series:

Viewing via the Huawei AI Life mobile app

For smartphone owners, the company Huawei developed a powerful application Huawei AI Life (formerly Huawei HiLink), which allows you to manage your router remotely. This method is convenient because it doesn't require entering IP addresses or using a browser. Download the app from the official AppGallery, Google Play, or AppStore, install it, and register with your Huawei ID account.

After adding the router to the app (this usually happens automatically if the phone is connected to the router's network), go to the device's main page. Find the item Show password or the eye icon next to your network name. In some versions of the app, you need to go to the section Wi-Fi settingsThe current access key will be displayed there, which can be copied to the clipboard or scanned using a QR code from another device.

The app also allows guests to connect to the network without typing. You can generate a QR code directly on the smartphone screen and prompt guests to scan it with the camera. This eliminates the need to dictate complex characters or share the phone screen.

⚠️ Please note: The password viewing feature in the app may not be available if the router is managed remotely by the provider or if you are using an outdated firmware version that does not support the app's new security protocols.

What should I do if the app doesn't see the router?

Make sure your smartphone is connected to this router's network, not your mobile data plan. Also, check that the app has permission to access the local network and geolocation (for Android).

Viewing a saved password on a connected Windows PC

If a Windows computer is already connected to your WiFi network, the operating system stores access keys in its profile. This makes it easy to find the password without accessing the router settings. This method works on all modern versions of Windows: Windows 10, 11, and even 8.1. You don't need administrator rights if you're already logged in.

To begin, open Settings (via the Start menu or a keyboard shortcut Win + I). Go to the section Network and Internet, then select Wi-Fi and click on the link Configuring adapter settings (in Windows 11 this is Additional network settings -> Additional network parameters). In the window that opens, find your wireless connection, right-click on it and select State.

In the status window, click the button Wireless network properties. Go to the tab SecurityYou'll see a "Network Security Key" field with hidden characters. Check the box. Show entered characters, and the password will be visible in plain text. You can copy it or rewrite it.

An alternative, faster method for advanced users is to use the command line. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window, enter the command:

netsh wlan show profile name="Your_Network_Name" key=clear

In the command output, find the line Key Content (Key content). The value to the right of the colon is your password. This method is especially useful if the graphical interface is not working correctly.

Using an Android smartphone to view the key

Smartphones running Android 10 and above (as well as many custom ROMs running earlier versions) now have a feature for viewing saved WiFi passwords. This works similarly to Windows: the system stores connection profiles. To use this feature, your phone must already be connected to the network or have been connected previously.

Go to Settings -> Wi-FiTap your network name or the gear icon next to it. Depending on your phone model (Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei), the interface may differ. Look for the option QR code or ShareTapping the screen often reveals a QR code for guests to connect. Below this code, or when scanned with another device (or through Google Lens), a text password is often displayed.

If the QR code doesn't clearly display the password text, you can use a QR code scanner. Point the camera of another phone at the code on the first one's screen. The scan will return a string like this: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword123;;Part after P: and before ;; - this is the password we are looking for.

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⚠️ Note: Some smartphone models (especially those with heavily modified interfaces, such as MIUI or OneUI) may require fingerprint or FaceID unlocking to view the QR code for security purposes.

Resetting the router to factory settings

If none of the above methods helped (you don’t remember the password for the web interface, there are no connected devices, the application doesn’t work), there remains the last radical method - Hard ResetThis step will restore the router to its out-of-the-box state. All your settings, including the network name, WiFi password, provider settings, and filters, will be deleted.

On the router body Huawei find a small hole with an inscription ResetIt's often recessed into the housing to prevent accidental pressing. You'll need a thin object, such as a paperclip, toothpick, or needle. With the router turned on, press the button inside the hole and hold it for 10-15 seconds. The lights on the front panel should blink or go out, indicating the reboot process has begun.

After rebooting, the router will create an open network (or a network with the password indicated on the sticker). Connect to it and go to the address 192.168.3.1 (or another one indicated on the sticker) and go through the initial setup again. You will need to enter your ISP credentials (PPPoE login/password or Dynamic IP connection type), which you should know. If you don't have these credentials, you can't reset your ISP—you'll be left without internet.

Risks of resetting settings

Please note that after a reset, your router will not be able to automatically connect to the internet without reconfiguration. Make sure you have your contract with your provider handy.

Common problems and their solutions

Users often encounter technical difficulties when recovering their password. For example, the browser may fail to open the router settings page. This is often due to the gateway IP address being different from the default. Check this in the network connection properties, as described above. Problems can also be caused by the browser cache—try opening the page in incognito mode.

Another common problem is that the router doesn't accept the default administrator password. This means it was previously changed and forgotten. In this case, unfortunately, only a hard reset will help, as home routers typically don't have a password recovery function. It's also worth considering that some ISPs block access to router settings, making their devices private. In this case, you should contact your ISP's technical support.

If you are using a dual-band router, remember that the passwords for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz may be different unless you combine the networks into one (the "Shared" feature). Wi-Fi Plus or Smart Connect). Check the settings for both ranges in the corresponding tabs.

What should I do if the password sticker has worn off?

If the sticker is illegible and you don't want to reset it, try the standard combinations. For older Huawei models, the password often matches the MAC address (without the colons) or simply adminYou can also try searching for your router model online and looking up the default login credentials for that series.

Is it possible to find out the password via the command line without administrator rights?

Team netsh wlan show profile requires administrator rights to display the key (key=clear). Without these rights, you'll only be able to see the list of saved networks, not passwords. However, if you're already logged in as a user, you typically have rights to view your connection properties through the graphical interface.

Is it safe to use third-party password recovery programs?

Using third-party software (such as Wireless Key View) carries risks. Such programs are often flagged by antivirus software as potentially unwanted programs because they access critical system data. It's better to use built-in Windows or Android tools, which are secure and don't require additional software.

Why doesn't my Huawei router allow me to access settings at 192.168.3.1?

Your computer may be connected to a different network or using a static IP address that conflicts with your router's subnet. Try disabling mobile data on your smartphone, if you use it, and reconnecting to WiFi. Also, check if your ISP is using the same address for their gateway.