How to View Mikrotik WiFi Password: A Complete Guide

Situations where you need to restore access to a wireless network arise quite often for administrators and regular users. You may have forgotten the password you created earlier, or you need to connect a new device and the data has been lost. Routers Mikrotikrunning under the operating system RouterOS, provide flexible tools for network management, but the interface may seem complex to beginners.

There are several ways to get the information you need about encryption key (PSK), depending on whether you have physical access to the device and whether special software is installed. We'll look at methods using the graphical interface. WinBox, web configurator WebFig and console commands. It's important to understand that you'll need administrator rights to perform these actions.

Password recovery is a standard administrative procedure that doesn't require a factory reset if you have access to the system. However, if access is completely lost, there are more drastic methods, which we'll also cover. Let's look at step-by-step procedures for various scenarios.

Using the WinBox utility to view the key

The most popular and convenient tool for working with equipment Mikrotik is a program WinBoxIt allows you to connect to a router even without a configured IP address, using the MAC address. If you have access to a computer that's already connected to the network or has a direct link to the router, this method is most effective.

After launching the utility and authorization (login is usually admin(The password is often empty by default or the one you set), you need to go to the wireless interfaces section. In the menu on the left, select Wireless or press the key combination Ctrl+Shift+WA list of all radio interfaces available on the device will open.

Double click on the name of your interface (eg. wlan1 or wifi1) to open the properties window. In the dialog box that opens, go to the tab WirelessThis is where the main parameters of the radio module are located. Find the field labeled Security Profile - it indicates the security profile that applies to this access point.

Next to the profile name, you'll see a button with an ellipsis (...). Clicking it will take you to the security profile management window. Here, in the field WPA Pre-Shared Key or WPA2 Pre-Shared Key, your current password is displayed. By default, it's hidden behind asterisks, but there's usually a reveal button (an eye) or an option to copy the value next to the input field.

⚠️ Warning: If the password field is empty or displays the default value, an external RADIUS server may be used to authenticate users and there is no local password in this profile.

Viewing your password through the WebFig web interface

Modern versions RouterOS (especially the v7 branch and the current v6) actively use a web interface called WebFig. It is accessible through any browser using the router's IP address (standard 192.168.88.1). This method is convenient because it does not require installing additional software; all you need is a browser.

After logging in, find the section in the menu on the left WirelessUnlike older versions of the interface, the structure here may be slightly different. Select the desired interface from the list. In the configuration window that opens, find the tab or section responsible for security (Security).

Inside the security settings, you'll see the linked profile. This often happens in new versions. WebFig You can edit security profile parameters directly in the access point interface without having to go to a separate profile menu. Look for the field WPA Pre-Shared KeyIf the text is hidden, try clicking the "eye" icon or selecting the text with your mouse (sometimes changing the input type in the page code helps, but it's better to use the display button with the standard tools).

It's worth noting that some mobile web interface builds may have limited functionality. If you don't see the password entry field, try switching to the full version of the website or using the browser's desktop mode. The interface may also require confirmation when changing critical security settings.

Console method via Terminal

For advanced users and system administrators, the fastest way is to use the command line (Terminal). This method is universal and works the same way as in WinBox, as well as via an SSH connection. This allows you to quickly access information without having to navigate through menus.

Open the terminal (button Terminal in WinBox or connecting via SSH). To see the current wireless interface settings, use the output configuration command. Enter the following line:

/interface wireless print

This command will display a general list of interfaces and their status, but it won't always display cleartext passwords in a concise format. For detailed information about the security profile being used, it's best to consult the security-profiles configuration. Enter the command:

/interface wireless security-profiles print

In the output you will see a list of profiles. Find the one that is used by your interface (usually called default or profile1). The line of this profile will contain the parameter wpa2-pre-shared-key or wpa-pre-shared-key, next to which your password will be displayed in clear text.

There is also a team export, which displays the entire current router configuration in text form. If you run it without the escape keys, the output will look like this: set wpa2-pre-shared-key="YOUR_PASSWORD"Be careful when using this command on public screens, as it reveals all secrets.

How to copy text from the Mikrotik terminal?

In WinBox, you can simply select the text with the mouse and press Ctrl+C. In SSH clients (PuTTY, Terminal), use your client's standard copying methods (usually right-click or Shift+Insert).

Mikrotik mobile app

Company Mikrotik has released an official mobile app that allows you to manage your routers directly from your phone or tablet. This solution is available for Android And iOSIt's especially useful when you don't have a computer at hand but need to quickly find out or change network settings.

After installing the app and connecting to the router (via Wi-Fi or mobile data, if remote access is configured), you'll see a list of interfaces. Clicking on the desired Wi-Fi interface will take you to its settings menu. Go to the tab. Security or AP.

Here, similar to the web interface, the current security profile will be displayed. By clicking on it, you can see the field WPA2 Pre-Shared KeyIn the mobile interface, passwords are often hidden by default for security reasons, but can be revealed by tapping the corresponding icon.

⚠️ Please note: The mobile app's functionality may differ from the full WinBox version. Some advanced settings may be unavailable or have a simplified view.

The mobile app is convenient because you can immediately see the signal strength and number of connected clients. This not only helps you find the password but also analyze whether the channel is overloaded and whether settings need to be adjusted for better performance.

What to do if access to the router is lost

There are situations where none of the above methods work, such as when you don't know the router's password (admin) or when it's been changed and forgotten. In this case, standard methods for viewing the WiFi password won't work, as the system won't let you in.

The only technically correct solution in this situation is to reset the settings to factory settings (Reset). On the body of most devices Mikrotik there is a button or hole ResetWhen turning on the router, you need to press and hold this button for about 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing. ACT or USR.

After the reset, the router will return to factory settings. The WiFi password will be the one on the sticker on the bottom of the device (if the model has a preset configuration), or the network will become open. The login password will also be the default one (usually login admin without password).

It's important to understand that resetting your connection will erase all your settings: PPPoE data from your provider, static IP addresses, firewall rules, and port forwarding. You'll have to reconfigure your internet connection. Therefore, before resetting, always try to remember your passwords or find saved configurations on other devices.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the WiFi password if I'm not connected to the router's network?

No, to view the password through the router settings, you need to have access to its management interface. This is only possible if your device is on the same local network (connected via cable or WiFi) or if remote access is configured with a known IP address and forwarded ports.

Where is the password stored on a Windows computer if I have already connected?

Windows saves network profiles. You can find out the password through the command line: enter netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clearThe "Key Content" line will contain the password. This works if the computer has ever connected to this network.

Is it safe to use the "default" security profile?

Use standard profile default It's possible, but it's best to create a custom profile with a unique name for your network. This simplifies administration if you have multiple SSIDs and allows you to apply different security policies to different user groups.

Why is the password field empty in WinBox?

If the field is empty, it may mean that passwordless encryption mode (open) is selected, external authentication (Radius/Captive Portal) is used, or you are looking at the wrong security profile. Check the tab Wireless in the interface properties to make sure which profile is active.

Does the WiFi password change after updating RouterOS?

The software update itself RouterOS Doesn't change user settings, including WiFi passwords. However, if the update involves migrating the configuration to a new major version (e.g., from v6 to v7), some settings may be adjusted, but encryption keys are usually preserved.