How to find out how many devices are connected to Wi-Fi on a Huawei router: all working methods

You've noticed that your internet has become slower, and suspicions are falling on "uninvited guests" connected to your Huawei-router? Or just want to monitor how many devices are simultaneously using your network? Unlike many budget models, routers Huawei (series HG8245H, B525, H122-373 and others) offer several ways to check connected devices - from a simple web interface to advanced commands via SSH.

In this article we will look at all current methods — from standard to obscure — and we'll also explain how to identify "unnecessary" devices and block them. It's important to understand that the number of visible connections may differ from the actual number: some gadgets (such as smart speakers or cameras) periodically "fall asleep" and don't appear in the list, while others disguise themselves as legitimate. We'll teach you how to distinguish them from each other.

If your router displays an error when accessing the control panel or doesn't display a list of devices, there's a section with solutions at the end of this article. And for owners of models with firmware HiLink (For example, Huawei B315 or E5577) we have prepared separate instructions taking into account the features of this software.

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

The web control panel is the “heart” of any router, and Huawei It is usually available at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1 (Depending on model). To see a list of connected devices, follow these steps:

1. Connect to the router's network via Wi-Fi or cable Ethernet.
2. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.1.1 (or an alternative address if the first one doesn't work).
3. Enter your login and password. By default, this is often admin/admin, but if you changed them, use your data.
   What to do if you forgot your password?

   If you have forgotten your login details, reset your router using the button Reset (Hold it for 10-15 seconds). Please note that after the reset, all settings, including the Wi-Fi password, will return to factory defaults.

4. Go to the section DHCP or Devices on the network (the name may differ depending on the firmware). For example, in models Huawei HG8245H the path is this: Basic Settings → Local Network → DHCP Clients.

In the list that opens you will see:

• 🔹 IP addresses devices (for example, 192.168.1.102).
• 🔹 MAC addresses (unique identifiers of the type 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
• 🔹 Host names (if the device broadcasts them, for example, iPhone-12-Pro).
• 🔹 Connection type (Wi-Fi or cable).

Please note: If the list contains devices with unfamiliar names (for example, android-123456 or esp_8266), these could be other people's gadgets or smart devices (lamps, sensors). To identify them, compare MAC addresses with labels on their devices.

2. Using the Huawei HiLink mobile app

For owners of routers with firmware HiLink (For example, Huawei B525, E5577, B315) The most convenient way is to use the official app. It not only displays connected devices but also allows you to manage them (block them, limit their speed).

Download Huawei HiLink from Google Play or App Store, then:

1. Connect to your router's Wi-Fi network.
2. Launch the application and wait until it finds your router (it should appear in the list of available devices).
3. Enter the administrator password (by default it is often empty or admin).
4. Go to the section Devices or Wi-Fi (the interface may differ depending on the version of the application).

In the appendix HiLink There are several advantages over the web interface:

• 📱 Notifications about new connections (can be enabled in settings).
• 🔒 Quick blocking unknown devices with one tap.
• 📊 Traffic statistics for each gadget (how much data it consumes).

However, this method also has its disadvantages:

• ⚠️ The application does not support older router models (for example, Huawei HG532e).
• ⚠️ Sometimes it doesn't show devices connected via cable (only Wi-Fi).

3. Viewing via the command line (SSH/Telnet) for advanced users

If the web interface or application does not show a full list of devices, you can connect to the router via SSH or Telnet and execute special commands. This method is suitable for models Huawei with open access to the console (for example, HG8245H in bridge mode or with custom firmware).

You will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux or a smartphone with a terminal.
• 🔌 Connection program: PuTTY (Windows) or built-in terminal (Linux/macOS).
• 🔑 Login/password for accessing the console (often root/admin or telecomadmin/admintelecom for some models).

Instructions:

1. Connect to the router via SSH (port 22) or Telnet (port 23). For example, in PuTTY Enter the router IP and select the protocol SSH.
2. Log in (if prompted for login/password).
3. Run the command to view the ARP table (a list of devices with which the router has recently interacted):

   cat /proc/net/arp

   Or a more detailed command (for some firmware):

   ip neigh show

In response you will see something like:

IP address HW type Flags HW address Mask Device
192.168.1.100 0x1 0x2 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E * br0
192.168.1.101 0x1 0x2 78:11:DC:12:34:56 * br0

Where:

• IP address — the device's network address.
• HW address - his MAC address.
• Device — connection interface (br0 - local network, wlan0 — Wi-Fi).

Enable SSH in the router settings (if disabled)|Find out the router's IP address (via ipconfig on PC)|Download PuTTY or a similar client|Prepare login/password for the console-->

⚠️ Attention: Not all models Huawei support SSH "out of the box". On some routers (for example, HG8245H (from the provider) this access is blocked. In this case, you can try to activate it through Telnet or use alternative methods from this article.

4. Checking via Windows or macOS settings (without access to the router)

If you don't have access to your router's control panel (for example, you're not a network administrator), you can try viewing some of the connected devices from your computer. This method will only show active devices on your local network, but not all devices (for example, sleeping devices or those connected to a different VLAN).

For Windows:

1. Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Run the command:

   arp -a

3. Look at the block of IP addresses for your subnet (usually 192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x).

For macOS/Linux:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Perform:

   arp -n

Example output:

? (192.168.1.1) at 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e [ether] on en0
? (192.168.1.100) at 78:11:dc:12:34:56 [ether] on en0

This method has limitations:

• 🔸 Shows only devices that your computer has recently interacted with.
• 🔸 Doesn't display "sleeping" gadgets (for example, smartphones in power saving mode).
• 🔸 MAC addresses may be incomplete or replaced with (incomplete).

5. Using third-party programs to scan the network

If standard methods don't provide a complete picture, you can use specialized network scanning utilities. They will not only show all connected devices but also provide additional information, such as open ports, manufacturer identification by MAC address, and activity history.

Popular programs:

How to use (using example) Advanced IP Scanner):

1. Download and install the program.
2. Start scanning (button Scan).
3. Wait for it to complete (usually takes 1-2 minutes).
4. View a list of devices with IP, MAC addresses, and hostnames.

🔹 Advantages of third-party scanners:

• 📡 Showing all devices on the network, even those that are not displayed in the router's web interface.
• 🔍 You can see open ports and potential vulnerabilities.
• 📊 There is a scan history (useful for tracking new connections).

⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky or ESET) may block network scanning, interpreting it as an attack. While scanning, add the program to the exceptions list.

6. How to identify and block other people's devices

Let's say you find something suspicious in the list of connected gadgets - for example, a device with the name android-5678 Or a MAC address from an unknown manufacturer. How can you tell if it's yours or someone else's?

Step 1: Identify the device

• 🔍 Check the first 3 pairs of characters MAC addresses through the service MAC Vendors. For example, 78:11:DC - This Apple, A B8:27:EB — Raspberry Pi.
• 📱 Compare the list with the devices that should be online (smartphones, laptops, TV).
• 🔌 Disconnect your devices from Wi-Fi one by one and see if the suspicious device disappears from the list.

Step 2: Block unknown devices

If you are sure that the device is not yours, you can block it:

• 🔒 Through web interface: find the section MAC filtering or Access control and add the MAC address to the blacklist.
• 📱 Through HiLink application: tap on the device → Block.
• 🔄 Change your Wi-Fi password (the most reliable way is that all devices will disconnect, and the intruder will have to enter a new password).

Step 3: Additional Security Measures

• 🔐 Turn on WPA3 instead of WPA2 in the Wi-Fi settings (if the router supports it).
• 🔄 Regularly (once every 1–2 months) change your password from Wi-Fi.
• 🚫 Turn it off WPS (This is a vulnerable protocol that is often exploited by hackers).
• 📡 Create guest network for visitors - it is isolated from the main one.

7. Common problems and their solutions

Sometimes the list of connected devices isn't displayed or shows incomplete data. Let's look at common situations and how to fix them.

⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the router settings (Reset) If the problem persists, the device's flash memory may be faulty. In this case, contact a service center or consider replacing the router.

It is also worth considering that some providers (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline) block access to advanced settings on rented routers. In this case:

• 📞 Contact your provider's support team and request access.
• 🔄 Try connecting your router in bridge mode (Bridge).

8. Hidden devices: how to detect them

Not all devices on the network are visible in the standard lists. For example:

• 🔌 Smart sockets or lamps (Xiaomi, TP-Link), which connect directly to the router, but are not always displayed in DHCP.
• 🖥️ Computers in sleep or hibernation mode (they may hold an IP, but not respond to requests).
• 🕵️ Devices with a modified MAC address (some hacking tools allow devices to disguise themselves as legitimate devices).

How to find them?

1. Use a network scanner (For example, Fing or nmap), which sends Ping to all IPs in the subnet.
2. View router logs (if available). In some models Huawei there is a section System log, where all connections are recorded.
3. Disable DHCP and assign IP manuallyThen all devices will be forced to request an address, and you will see them.

For advanced users: can be used nmap for deep network scanning. Example command:

nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

This command will scan all IP addresses from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 and will show active hosts.

⚠️ Attention: Active network scanning may be interpreted as an attack by some devices (e.g., corporate laptops). Before using nmap Make sure this is allowed by your network rules.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see connected devices if I'm not a network admin?

Yes, but with limitations. You can:

• Use network scanners (eg. Fing or Advanced IP Scanner).
• View the ARP table on your computer (arp -a).

However, the full list of devices is only available through the router control panel.

Why do unknown devices with names like esp_123456?

These could be:

• Smart devices (lamps, sensors, sockets based on ESP8266/ESP32).
• Nearby devices if you have a weak Wi-Fi password.
• Viruses on connected gadgets (e.g. botnets).

Check MAC address via MAC Vendors and lock the device if necessary.

How to limit the number of connected devices on Huawei?

In most routers Huawei You can set the limit:

1. Go to the web interface (192.168.1.1).
2. Go to Wi-Fi → Additional settings.
3. Find the option Maximum number of clients and set the desired value (for example, 10).

In some models (eg, Huawei B525) this is done through the application HiLink in the section Device management.

What should I do if my Huawei router doesn't display MAC addresses of my devices?

Possible causes and solutions:

• Outdated firmware → Update your router software via the web interface.
• DHCP server is disabled → Enable it in settings (Local Area Network → DHCP).
• ARP cache error → Reboot your router.

Is it possible to find out which websites connected devices visit?

Routers Huawei The standard configuration does not keep a log of visited websites. However, you can:

• Tune DNS redirection for service like OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing to filter content.
• Use specialized software (For example, Wireshark), but this requires skills.
• Install alternative firmware (For example, OpenWRT), if your model is supported.

⚠️ Collecting such information may violate privacy laws (e.g. Federal Law No. 152 in Russia).