How to find out the Wi-Fi password on a computer if it's connected via a cable (LAN)

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, but your computer is connected to the router via a network cable? This situation is familiar to many: the password was entered once during initial setup, and then lingered in the device's memory for years. But what if you need to connect a new device, and the router sticker has long since worn off or been lost? Luckily, there are several ways to retrieve the saved password—even if your PC isn't directly connected to the Wi-Fi.

In this article we will look at 5 working methodsHow to view the Wi-Fi password on a computer Windows 10 or Windows 11If you're using a wired connection (Ethernet), some methods require administrative privileges, while others work without them. We'll also find out why standard online instructions often fail and how to overcome common errors.

⚠️ Important: All methods in this article are intended only to restore access to your networkUnauthorized extraction of someone else's Wi-Fi passwords is illegal and may result in liability (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

1. View the password through the Network and Sharing Center (if Wi-Fi has ever been connected)

If your computer has ever connected to this Wi-Fi network over the air (even a year ago), the password may have been saved. Here's how to find it:

1. Open Control Panel (click Win + R, enter control and press Enter).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
3. Select on the left Managing wireless networks (V Windows 11 the path may differ - see spoiler below).
4. Find your Wi-Fi network in the list, right-click on it and select Properties.
5. On the tab Security check the box Show entered characters — the password will be displayed in the field Network security key.

Where can I find "Manage Wireless Networks" in Windows 11?

IN Windows 11 The classic "Network and Sharing Center" is hidden. Alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing known networks.
3. Select your network and click Properties (You may need to scroll down.)
4. The password will be displayed below the field. Security key after pressing on the eye.

⚠️ Attention: If your computer I've never connected to this Wi-Fi over the air., this method won't work. In this case, proceed to the next methods.

Also note that in some builds Windows (especially corporate ones) access to saved passwords may be blocked by the administrator. If the button Show entered characters is inactive, try running the properties window as an administrator (right-click on the shortcut Control Panel → Run as administrator).

2. Extracting the password via the command line (netsh)

The most reliable way is to use the built-in utility netsh, which works even if Wi-Fi is not currently connected. Instructions:

1. Open command prompt as administrator (click Win + X and select Terminal (Administrator) or Command Prompt (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command:

   netsh wlan show profiles

   This will display a list of all saved Wi-Fi networks.

3. Find your network name in the list (for example, TP-Link_1234) and enter:

   netsh wlan show profile name="TP-Link_1234" key=clear

   (replace TP-Link_1234 to the name of your network).

4. Find the line in the results Key content - this is the password.

If the command returns an error Profile not found, then your computer has never connected to this network via Wi-Fi. In this case, proceed to the router settings methods.

⚠️ Attention: In some versions Windows (especially after major updates) team netsh may not show the password even if the network is saved. This is due to changes in security policies. Try an alternative method with PowerShell:

(Get-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi" | Get-NetConnectionProfile).SharedKey

3. Viewing the password in the router settings (universal method)

If the previous methods don't work, the most reliable option is to access the router's web interface. This is the only method guaranteed to reveal the current password, even if the computer has never connected to Wi-Fi.

Step 1: Find your router's IP address

• 🖥️ Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
• In the command line, run:

  ipconfig

• Find the line Main gateway - this is the IP of the router (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

Step 2: Log in to your admin panel

• 🌐 Open your browser and enter the router's IP address in the address bar (e.g. http://192.168.0.1).
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (usually admin/admin, if you haven't changed it). If it doesn't fit, look at the sticker on the router.

Step 3: Find the Wi-Fi settings section

The interface depends on the router model, but usually the path is as follows:

⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed the default password of your router, you can find it on the sticker on the back of the device (field Password or Key). But this password refers to access to the admin panel, not to Wi-Fi!

4. Using third-party programs (if there is no access to the router)

If you can't access your router settings (for example, because you forgot your administrator password), specialized software can help. The best programs for extracting saved Wi-Fi passwords:

• 🔍 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a portable utility that doesn't require installation. It displays all saved networks and their passwords. Download from the official website.
• 🛡️ WiFi Password Revealer — a simple program with a graphical interface. Suitable for beginners.
• 💻 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — extracts passwords and allows you to export them to a file.

How to use WirelessKeyView:

1. Download the archive with the program and unzip it.
2. Run the file WirelessKeyView.exe (as administrator).
3. Find your network in the table - the password will be in the column Key (Ascii).

⚠️ Attention: Be careful when downloading such programs! Use only official websites (NirSoft, MajorGeeks) or verified sources. Fake products with viruses are often found online.

🔹 Download only from the developer's official website

🔹 Check the file on VirusTotal

🔹 Use antivirus software to scan the downloaded file

🔹 Run the program as administrator

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5. Resetting the router to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of these methods work, the only drastic solution is to reset the router to factory settings. This will erase all current settings, including the Wi-Fi password, but will allow you to set a new one.

How to reset a router:

1. Find the small button on the back of the router. Reset (usually recessed into the body).
2. Take a paper clip or a toothpick and press and hold the button 10-15 seconds.
3. Release the button when the lights on the router start flashing or turn off.
4. Wait 1-2 minutes for the router to reboot.

After reset:

• 🔄 Connect to the router via cable.
• 🌐 Go to the web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• 🔑 Use the standard login/password (see the sticker on the router).
• 📝 Reset your Wi-Fi with a new password.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router deletes all user settings, including:

• Wi-Fi name and password;
• Settings PPPoE (login/password from the provider);
• Forwarded ports (Port Forwarding);
• Guest networks;
• Parental control.

If you are unsure of your internet settings (for example, you don’t remember your internet connection details from your provider), do not reset the router — contact technical support.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users encounter common problems when trying to find their Wi-Fi password. Let's look at the most common ones:

• 🚫 Error: "Profile not found" in netsh
  Cause: The computer has never connected to this network via Wi-Fi.
  Solution: Use the router settings method or third-party programs.
• 🔒 Error: "Access Denied" when running commands
  Cause: No administrator rights.
  Solution: Run Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X → Terminal (Administrator)).
• 🌐 Error: The router page does not open (192.168.0.1)
  Reason 1: Incorrect IP address.
  Solution: Check the address via ipconfig (line Main gateway).
  Reason 2: The router is not responding.
  Solution: Reboot your router (unplug it from the power outlet for 30 seconds).
• 🔑 Error: The default router password is not suitable (admin/admin)
  Cause: The password has been changed.
  Solution: If you don’t remember the password, the only option left is to reset the router (see section 5).

⚠️ Attention: If your provider uses MAC address bindingResetting your router may result in loss of internet access. In this case, after resetting, you will need to:

1. Call your provider's support;
2. Report the new MAC address of the router (found on the sticker or in the web interface);
3. Wait for the device to re-register (this may take up to 24 hours).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to find out a Wi-Fi password if the computer is only connected via cable and has never been connected to the same network over the air?

Yes, but only through the router settings (method 3) or resetting the router (method 5). If you don't have access to the router's web interface, there are no other legal options.

I entered the command netsh wlan show profiles, but my network is not showing up. Why?

This means that your computer has never connected to this network via Wi-Fi. Commands netsh And WirelessKeyView show only those networks to which there has been a connection at least once.

Is it possible to find out my neighbor's Wi-Fi password if I'm connected to their network via cable?

No, it is not possible legally. All methods in this article only work for yours A router to which you have physical access. Unauthorized access to other people's networks is punishable by law.

After resetting my router, my internet connection disappeared. What should I do?

Most likely, your ISP uses MAC address binding or settings PPPoE. Need to:

1. Check with your provider for connection parameters (login, password, connection type).
2. Reconfigure the router according to the provider's instructions.
3. If MAC address registration is required, please provide the new MAC to support.

Do these methods work on MacOS or Linux?

No, this instruction is for Windows. For MacOS And Linux have their own methods:

• MacOS: Open Terminal and enter security find-generic-password -wa "Network_Name".
• Linux: View file /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NetworkName (you need a license sudo).