How to Check Your Home Wi-Fi: How Many People Are Connected to Your Network

Have you noticed your internet has slowed down, and pages are loading slowly? Perhaps unauthorized devices—neighbors, guests, or even hackers exploiting router security vulnerabilities—have connected to your home Wi-Fi. Checking the number of connected gadgets — the first step to diagnosing the problem and protecting personal data.

In this article you will find current methods for routers of any manufacturer: from budget ones TP-Link And D-Link to bonuses ASUS RT-AX88U or KeeneticWe'll cover methods that don't require installing additional software (via a web interface), using mobile apps, and advanced options for experienced users, including traffic analysis via Wireshark and teams arp in the terminal. You will learn not only How many devices are online?, but also how to identify suspicious connections by MAC addresses or hostnames.

Important: If you find any unknown devices, don't panic. See the end of the article for more information. FAQ with instructions, how to block other people's devices, and strengthen network security. And for those who want to dig deeper, we've provided a comparison table of connection monitoring capabilities across router brands.

1. Checking via the router's web interface (universal method)

The most reliable way is to log into your router's control panel. This method works on all models, regardless of the manufacturer, but the path to the required section may vary. You only need a browser on your computer or smartphone.

Find first IP address your router. Usually it's 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1 (indicated on the sticker on the device body). Enter it in the browser's address bar, then log in. The default login and password are often admin/admin or admin/password (also on the sticker). If you changed them, use your details.

• 🔍 For TP-Link: Go to Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics or DHCP → DHCP Client List.
• 📡 For ASUS: Open Network map in the main menu - all connected devices are displayed here, indicating their IP, MAC address and connection type (Wi-Fi/ETH).
• 🛡️ For Keenetic: Chapter Devices shows active connections with the ability to block them directly from the interface.
• 🔗 For D-Link: Tab Status → Local Network → DHCP Clients.

Check your connection to the router via cable or Wi-Fi|Reboot the router using the button on the case|Reset the settings using the Reset button (hold for 10 seconds)|Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)|Make sure your VPN or proxy is disabled-->

In the table below, we've compiled paths to sections with connected devices for popular models:

⚠️ Attention: If you see unfamiliar MAC addresses in the list of devices (for example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E), don't rush to block them. Some routers display their own services (for example, a guest network or IPTV) as separate "devices." Check unknown addresses with base of producers.

2. Mobile apps for Wi-Fi monitoring

If you find the web interface inconvenient, use official or third-party apps. They will notify you of new connections and display your activity history.

Try this first official software from the router manufacturer:

• 📱 TP-Link Tether (Android/iOS) — shows a list of devices, traffic consumption speed, and the ability to block.
• 🛡️ ASUS Router — in addition to monitoring, it allows you to set up parental controls and traffic prioritization.
• 🔄 Keenetic — syncs with the cloud, there are push notifications about new connections.

If there is no official application or it is inconvenient, install third-party utilities:

• 🔍 Fing (Android/iOS) — scans the network, identifies device manufacturers by MAC address, and checks open ports.
• 📊 WiFi Analyzer (Android) - shows not only connected gadgets, but also channel load.
• 🛡️ NetScan (iOS) - Saves scan history and compares current connections with previous ones.

Advantages of mobile applications:

• 🔔 Real-time notifications about new connections.
• 📱 Convenience - no need to sit at the computer.
• 📊 Additional features: speed test, network security analysis.

⚠️ Attention: Third party applications (eg. Fing) may request access to location data or contacts. This isn't necessary for network scanning—deny unnecessary permissions. Also, avoid apps with suspiciously high ratings and few reviews.

3. Command line: for advanced users

If you prefer to work without a graphical interface, check the connected devices via command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) This method will show all active hosts on the local network, even if they are not displayed in the router's web interface.

For Windows:

1. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
2. Enter the command:

   arp -a

   It will display an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table with the IP and MAC addresses of all devices with which your computer has communicated.

3. To see only active connections, first ping the entire IP range of your network. For example, if your router has the address 192.168.1.1, execute:

   for /L %i in (1,1,254) do ping -n 1 192.168.1.%i

   Then enter again arp -a.

For macOS/Linux:

1. Open Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T in Linux).
2. Enter:

   nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

   (replace 192.168.1.0/24 to your subnet).

3. An alternative is the command:

   arp-scan --localnet

   (requires installation of the utility arp-scan).

What to do if the arp -a command shows few devices?

Team arp -a Displays only those hosts your computer has recently interacted with. To see the full list:

1. Ping the entire IP range (as shown above).

2. Use nmap or arp-scan for active scanning.

3. Check if your firewall is blocking ICMP requests (ping).

A critical detail: if there are devices on the network with ping responses disabled (for example, some smart light bulbs or IP cameras), they won't appear in the arp-scan results. In this case, use specialized utilities like Wireshark.

4. Analyzing Traffic with Wireshark (Advanced)

Wireshark - is a powerful network analyzer that shows all traffic on your network, including hidden connections. The program is suitable for experienced users, as it requires an understanding of network protocols.

How to use:

1. Download and install Wireshark With official website.
2. Launch the program and select the network interface (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Start capturing packets (button Start).
4. Enter in the filter wlan.addr == [your router MAC address]to see traffic from your network only.
5. Analyze the list of devices in the column Source (source) or Destination (appointment).

Advantages Wireshark:

• 🔍 Sees all devices, even those that do not respond to ping.
• 📊 Shows traffic type (HTTP, DNS, ARP, etc.).
• 🛡️ Allows you to identify suspicious activity (e.g. port scanning).

⚠️ Attention: Traffic capture in Wireshark may violate the privacy of other users on your network. Use the program for diagnostic purposes only. their own devices. Storing or distributing other people's data is illegal.

5. Checking via the router menu on TVs and Smart TVs

If you don't have a computer or smartphone at hand, some Smart TV (For example, Samsung, LG or Sony Bravia) allow you to access the router settings directly from the TV via the built-in browser.

Instructions for Samsung Smart TV:

1. Open Menu → Network → Network Status.
2. Click IP settings and write down the gateway address (this is the IP of your router).
3. Go back to the main menu, open your browser (for example, Samsung Internet).
4. Enter the router's IP address in the address bar and log in.

For LG WebOS:

1. Launch Settings → Network → Wi-Fi connection.
2. Select your network and click Additional settings.
3. The router address will be indicated in the line Gateway.
4. Use the built-in browser to access the control panel.

6. How to identify "foreign" devices and what to do next

Did you find any unknown devices in the list? Don't rush to block them. First, check:

• 📱 Your gadgets: Smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart watches (Apple Watch, Mi Band).
• 💡 Smart home: Light bulbs (Xiaomi Yeelight), sockets (TP-Link Tapo), robotic vacuum cleaners.
• 🎮 Gaming devices: Prefixes (PlayStation, Xbox), TV boxes (Apple TV, NVIDIA Shield).
• 🖨️ Office equipment: Printers, scanners, NAS servers.

If the device is still someone else's:

1. Check its MAC address via database of manufacturersFor example, addresses of the form B0:48:7A:... belong Apple, A 78:11:DC:... — Samsung.
2. If the address is unrecognized or belongs to a suspicious manufacturer (for example, an unknown Chinese company), block him in the router settings.
3. Change your Wi-Fi password to a more complex one (at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).
4. Enable MAC address filtering (allow connections only to known devices).

If there are many suspicious devices or they appear regularly:

• 🔄 Reset your router to factory settings (button Reset for 10 seconds).
• 🛡️ Update your router firmware - outdated versions are vulnerable to hacking.
• 🚫 Disable WPS - This protocol is easily hacked.
• 🌐 Create a guest network for friends and temporary devices.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

Is it possible to see what websites connected devices are visiting?

Yes, but you need to configure it for this traffic monitoring on the router or use programs like WiresharkHowever, this may violate privacy laws if you monitor other people's devices without their consent. For parental controls, it's better to use the router's built-in features (e.g., ASUS AiProtection or Keenetic Security).

Why does the device list show "unknown host"?

This could be:

• Device with disabled mDNS (does not broadcast his name).
• Network printer or IP camera with a non-standard protocol.
• Virtual device (eg Google Home or Amazon Alexa).
• An attacker who spoofed the MAC address.

Check the MAC address through the manufacturer's database and block it if necessary.

How to limit speed for individual devices?

Most modern routers support QoS (Quality of Service) or Bandwidth Control. For example:

• IN TP-Link: Additional settings → QoS.
• IN ASUS: Adaptive QoS → Bandwidth Limiting.
• IN Keenetic: Devices → Speed ​​Limit.

Enter the MAC address of the device and set the limit in Kbps.

What should I do if my router doesn't show connected devices?

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Outdated firmware - update it in the section System → Software Update.
• 🛠️ DHCP failure — reboot the router or reset the settings.
• 🔌 The devices are connected directly to the provider (for example, through PPPoE) - check the connection diagram.
• 📡 Guest network - some routers show its devices separately.

Is it possible to check connected devices without access to the router?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• Use mobile apps (Fing, NetScan), but they will only show devices on your subnet.
• IN command line complete arp -a or nmap, but this will not give the full picture.
• If the router is rented from a provider (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline), some monitoring functions may be blocked.

For complete control access to the router is required.