How to Check the Number of Devices Connected to Your Wi-Fi: All the Methods

Have you noticed that your internet has become slower and your file download speed has dropped significantly? One possible cause is too many devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. Modern routers support simultaneous connections from 10 to 250 clients (depending on model and standard Wi-Fi 5/6/6E), but each new gadget takes up some of your bandwidth. Even if you don't share your network password with your neighbors, others can still connect to your router. smart light bulbs, IP cameras, guests' smartphones, or old devices that you haven't used for a long time but are still online.

In this article you will find 5 proven methodsHow to view a list of connected devices—from simple (via a mobile app) to advanced (using the command line). We'll cover instructions for popular router brands: TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik, as well as universal methods that work on any equipment. You'll also learn how detect other people's devices on your network and block them without changing the password.

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

The most reliable and accurate method is to access your router's control panel. Almost all manufacturers display a list of connected devices in the "Devices" section. DHCP, Local area network or Wireless modeThe main advantage of this method is that you will see not only the number of clients, but also their MAC addresses, IP addresses and even the names (if they are broadcast).

To access the web interface:

• 🌐 Open your browser and enter in the address bar 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (less often) 192.168.8.1 or 10.0.0.1).
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin, but it may differ - look at the router sticker).
• 🔍 Find the section with connected devices (see the table below for popular brands).

⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed the default router password, any user connected to your network can log into the control panel and change the settings. We recommend changing your login and password to something complex (for example, generate one via PasswordsGenerator).

In some routers (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U or TP-Link Archer AX6000) the list of devices is updated in real time. If you see an unfamiliar one in the list MAC address, it can be copied and checked through services like MAC Vendors - they will show the manufacturer of the device (for example, Apple, Samsung or Xiaomi).

Check if the router is connected to power and the indicator is on|Disable the VPN or proxy in your browser|Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)|Reset the router using the Reset button (hold for 10 seconds)

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2. Mobile applications from router manufacturers

If you're too lazy to enter the IP address and search for the right section in the web interface, use the official app from your router manufacturer. These programs usually automatically detect the device on the local network and display a list of connected clients in a convenient format—with device icons, names, and even a traffic consumption graph.

Here is a list of apps for popular brands:

• 📱 TP-Link Tether - works with most models TP-Link, shows the online status of devices and allows you to block them.
• 📱 ASUS Router - supports routers ASUS, notifies about new connections, shows the speed of each device.
• 📱 Keenetic — an app of the same name with a "Guest Network" feature and a "Devices" section where you can even see your connection history.
• 📱 Mi Wi-Fi — for routers Xiaomi, integrated with the ecosystem Mi Home.

Interface example ASUS Router:

Tab Clients shows:

• 📌 Device name (if it is being broadcast).
• 🔗 MAC address and IP.
• 📊 Real-time download/upload speed.
• 🕒 Connection time.

⚠️ Attention: Mobile apps may not show devices connected via cable (Ethernet) if the router doesn't support this feature. For a complete list, it's best to use the web interface.

If your router is not from a reputable brand or does not have an official app, try universal utilities like Fing (available for Android And iOS). This app scans your local network and displays all connected devices, even if they aren't visible in the router's dashboard. Cons Fing - It doesn't block clients, it only detects them.

Via the router's web interface|Mobile app from the manufacturer|Universal utilities (Fing, NetScan)|Command line (ping/arp)|I don't check

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3. Windows command line: arp and ping

If you don't have access to your router (for example, you're connected to someone else's network), but want to know how many devices are active on it, you can use standard tools. WindowsThis method will not give a complete list, but will show "live" devices that respond to ping.

Instructions:

1. Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
2. Enter the command to ping the broadcast address of your network (for example, if your IP 192.168.1.5, then the broadcast address is 192.168.1.255):

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

   This command will send one packet to each IP in the range 192.168.1.1–192.168.1.254.

3. After execution, enter arp -ato see the ARP table (IP to MAC address mapping).

Output example arp -a:

Interface: 192.168.1.5 --- 0x9
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.1.1 aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff dynamic ← this is a router
192.168.1.100 11-22-33-44-55-66 dynamic ← your PC
192.168.1.102 77-88-99-aa-bb-cc dynamic ← someone else's device?

This method has limitations:

• ❌ Will not show devices that block ping (many modern gadgets do this).
• ❌ Will not display devices connected via Wi-Fi, if they are sleeping or in power saving mode.
• ✅ But it doesn't require access to the router and works even if you're a guest on the network.

4. Checking via a router using Telnet/SSH (for advanced users)

If your router supports remote management via Telnet or SSH, you can get a list of connected devices directly from the system. This method is suitable for MikroTik, Ubiquiti, OpenWRT and some models ASUS with firmware Merlin.

Example for MikroTik:

1. Connect to the router via WinBox or SSH (login/password are the same as for the web interface).
2. Run the command:

   /ip dhcp-server lease print

   It will show all clients that received IP via DHCP.

3. For a list of devices connected via Wi-Fi, use:

   /interface wireless registration-table print

Example for routers with OpenWRT:

cat /tmp/dhcp.leases

⚠️ Attention: Turning on Telnet or SSH Your router may be unsafe if you haven't changed the default password. After checking, disable these services in the settings (Services → Telnet/SSH).

This method provides the most complete information, including:

• 🔄 IP lease time (when the device last requested an address).
• 📡 Signal level Wi-Fi (for wireless clients).
• 🔌 Connection type (cable or Wi-Fi).

5. Online services for network analysis (without access to the router)

If you don't have administrator rights on your router but want to know how many devices are connected to your network, you can use online services or specialized programs. They scan your local network and create a map of connected devices.

Popular tools:

• 🖥️ Advanced IP Scanner — a free utility for Windows, scans the IP range and shows MAC addresses, manufacturers and open ports.
• 📱 Fing (mobile application) - scans the network from your phone, determines the type of device (smartphone, printer, TV).
• 🌐 Angry IP Scanner — a cross-platform, open-source program that supports plugins for deep analysis.
• 🔍 Nmap — a powerful scanner for experienced users (requires knowledge of commands).

Example of work Advanced IP Scanner:

1. Download and install the program from official website.
2. Start scanning (button Scan). The program will automatically detect your IP range.
3. In 1-2 minutes you will see a list of all devices on the network indicating:

• 🖧 IP address And MAC address.
• 🏷️ Network card manufacturer (by MAC).
• 🔌 Status (Active/Doesn't answer).

Disadvantages of this approach:

• ❌ Will not show devices that do not respond to scanning (for example, with disabled ping).
• ❌ Cannot distinguish between a cable connection and Wi-Fi.
• ✅ However, it doesn't require access to the router and works even on a guest network.

6. How to detect and block other people's devices on your network

If you find unfamiliar devices in the list of connected devices MAC addresses, this doesn't always mean you've been hacked. Possible causes:

• 📱 Old devices that you haven't used for a long time (for example, a tablet or Amazon Kindle).
• 💡 Smart light bulbs, sockets or robotic vacuum cleaners, which are connected automatically.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Guests to whom you gave the password from Wi-Fi and forgot.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Neighbors who guessed or stole your password.

To make sure the device is someone else's:

1. Check it out MAC address through the service MAC Vendors. It will show the manufacturer (for example, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi).
2. If this is Apple or Android-device, try pinging it and see if it responds ping.
3. Disconnect all your gadgets from the network and see if the suspicious device remains on the list.

If the device really belongs to someone else, it can be blocked:

• 🔒 Via the router's web interface (section Security or Access control).
• 🔄 Change your password Wi-Fi (all devices will be disconnected and will have to reconnect).
• 🛡️ Turn on the feature Isolation of clients (AP Isolation) so that the devices do not see each other.

⚠️ Attention: Blocking by MAC address — is an unreliable security method. An attacker can replace the MAC address of their device. It's best to combine this method with regularly changing your password. Wi-Fi.

7. Limit the number of connected devices

If your router supports the function Client limitation (Client Limit), you can set the maximum number of simultaneously connected devices. This is useful if:

• 📉 The Internet has become slower due to the large number of gadgets.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 You don't want guests to connect too many devices to your network.
• 🛡️ You want to protect yourself from accidental connections (for example, if the password is Wi-Fi simple).

How to set up a limit (using an example) TP-Link):

1. Log into your router's web interface.
2. Go to Wireless → Wireless Settings.
3. Find the parameter Maximum number of clients (Max Clients) and set the desired value (for example, 20).
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Please note that:

• ✅ The restriction only applies to Wi-Fi- clients (devices via cable are not included).
• ❌ Some devices (eg. IoT gadgets) can automatically reconnect, occupying slots.
• 🔄 If the limit is reached, new devices will not be able to connect until one disconnects.

On routers ASUS a similar function is called Limit Wireless Clients and is located in Wireless Network → Professional. IN Keenetic This is configured via Network Segments → Home Network → Limiting the Number of Clients.

- Up to 10 - without loss of speed.

- 10–30 — delays are possible with heavy traffic (for example, when streaming 4K).

- 30+ - requires a router with support Wi-Fi 6 or Mesh systems.-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

Wireless → MAC Filtering → Add