How to find the name (SSID) of a Wi-Fi network on a computer: all methods

Are you connected to a wireless network but forgot its name? Or do you need to find out? SSID Need to set up another device's network ID, but the sticker on your router has worn off? This situation is familiar to many, especially when it comes to guest networks, office access points, or older routers. Fortunately, you can easily find the name of your current Wi-Fi network directly from your computer, without having to access the router's settings.

In this article we will look at all current methods - from viewing through a graphical interface Windows 10/11 And macOS to the command line and hidden system menus. You will also learn why the network name is sometimes displayed incorrectly (for example, as "Unknown network") and how to fix it. The instructions are suitable for laptops, desktop PCs with Wi-Fi adapters, and even devices connected via USB modem.

Do I need to install additional software for this? No - all methods use the operating system's built-in tools. And if you administer an office network, this knowledge will help you quickly diagnose connection problems without access to the router.

1. How to find the name of a Wi-Fi network using the Windows taskbar

The fastest way is to look at the network name in the notification area. It works in Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, but there are nuances with the display depending on the OS version.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Click on Wi-Fi icon in the lower right corner of the screen (next to the clock).
• 📋 In the window that opens, it will be written at the top Connected to: [Network Name].
• 🔍 If instead of the title you see "Internet" or "Net", click on the icon again - sometimes the name is hidden in the pop-up menu.

IN Windows 11 The interface has changed slightly: the network name is shown immediately when you hover over the icon, and the full list of networks opens in Network and Control CenterIf you have several adapters (eg built-in Wi-Fi + USB modem), make sure you are looking at the correct connection.

⚠️ Note: If this menu displays "Unknown network" or "Another network", this may mean that your computer is connected to a hidden Wi-Fi network (where SSID is not broadcast). In this case, use the methods from the following sections.

2. View the network name in Windows Settings

If the taskbar icon does not show the name or you want to see additional information (for example, MAC address of the router), go to network settings.

Step by step instructions for Windows 10/11:

1. Open Start → Settings (⚙️) → Network & Internet.
2. In the left menu, select Wi-Fi.
3. On the right side of the screen, find the "Equipment properties" — there will be a line "Network name (SSID)".

In this same window you can see:

• 📡 Security protocol (WPA2, WPA3, etc.).
• 🔗 IP address your device on the network.
• 📶 Signal level (in percent).

If you have Windows 7, the path will be different: Start → Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings. Next, double-click on the active one. Wireless connection and in the status window find the line "Network name (SSID)".

Correct Network Name (SSID)|Security Type (must be WPA2/WPA3)|IP Address (must start with 192.168.xx or 10.xxx)|Signal Strength (optimally >70%)-->

3. How to find the SSID via the command line (CMD)

This method is universal for all versions Windows and works even if the graphical interface is frozen. The command line will show the network name, BSSID (MAC address of the access point) and other technical data.

Open Command line (click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter) and run the command:

netsh wlan show interfaces

In the results, find the block "Profile" — there will be a line:

SSID: [Your network name]

Additional useful commands:

• 🔧 ipconfig /all — will show Router IP address (line "Main gateway").
• 📡 netsh wlan show networks — will display all available networks nearby (including hidden ones if they are saved on your PC).

⚠️ Attention: If the team netsh wlan show interfaces returns the error "No wireless connections", check if it is enabled Wi-Fi adapter in the device manager (Win + X → Device Manager → Network Adapters).

4. Viewing the Wi-Fi name on MacOS

On computers Apple Finding out the name of your current network is even easier. In the top menu bar (on the right) there's a Wi-Fi icon—click it, and at the top of the list you'll see "Connected to: [Network Name]" But if you need more details, use System information.

Instructions for macOS Ventura/Monterey/Sonoma:

1. Hold down the key Option (⌥) and click on the icon Wi-Fi in the menu bar.
2. The window that opens will contain detailed information, including:
   • 📡 SSID (network name).
   • 🔒 Security type (eg WPA2 Personal).
   • 📶 Signal level (in dBm).
   • 🔄 Channel and frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

For older versions macOS (to Catalina):

1. Open System Preferences → Network.
2. Select Wi-Fi in the left menu and click Additionally.
3. Tab Wi-Fi will show a list famous networks, and the current one will be marked with a check mark.

operating system	The quick way	Advanced Method
Windows 10/11	Wi-Fi icon in taskbar	netsh wlan show interfaces in CMD
Windows 7	Network and Sharing Center	ipconfig /all (will show the gateway)
macOS Ventura+	Wi-Fi + icon Option	System Information → Network
macOS Catalina	System Preferences → Network	Terminal: networksetup -getairportnetwork en0

5. How to find out the name of a hidden Wi-Fi network (if the SSID is not broadcast)

Hidden Networks (hidden SSID) are not displayed in the list of available ones, but if your computer is already connected to such a network, its name can be found through system settings or commands.

Methods for Windows:

• 🔍 Through Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networksThe hidden network will be marked as "Hidden network" with the name indicated.
• 💻 Via command:

  netsh wlan show profiles

  She will show all saved networks, including hidden ones. To view the password for such a network, run:

  netsh wlan show profile name="[NETWORK_NAME]" key=clear

  (replace [NETWORK_NAME] to the real name from the first list).

For macOS:

• 📋 Open System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced. In the list "Well-known networks" Hidden ones are displayed in gray.
• 🖥️ In Terminal execute:

  security find-generic-password -wa "[NETWORK_NAME]"

  (you will need to enter the administrator password).

⚠️ Warning: Connecting to hidden networks is less secure than regular ones. Attackers can create a fake access point with the same SSID, and your device will automatically connect to it, transmitting traffic through someone else's server.

Why aren't hidden networks more secure than regular ones?

A hidden SSID does not encrypt traffic or protect against hacking—it is simply not broadcast. Any traffic analysis (for example, via Wireshark) will show the real network name as soon as at least one device connects to it. A more reliable method of protection is to use WPA3 and update your password regularly.

6. Alternative methods: PowerShell, third-party utilities, and a router

If standard methods don't work, try these options:

Through PowerShell (Windows):

(Get-NetAdapter -Physical | Where-Object {$_.MediaType -eq "Native 802.11"}).InterfaceDescription
(Get-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi").Name

(Replace "Wi-Fi" to the name of your adapter from the first command.)

Through the router settings:

• 🌐 Open your browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (the address may differ - look it up in ipconfig).
• 🔑 Enter your login/password (usually admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).
• 📡 Find the section Wireless or Wi-Fi — there will be SSID.

Third-party utilities:

• 🛠️ WirelessNetView (NirSoft) - shows all networks within range with details.
• 📊 NetSpot - analyzes the signal and displays SSID, channel, noise level.
• 🔍 inSSIDer — a professional tool for Wi-Fi diagnostics.

⚠️ Attention: Utilities like WirelessNetView require administrator rights and may be blocked by antivirus software. Download them only from official websites of developers.

7. Common problems and their solutions

Sometimes the network name isn't displayed or is displayed incorrectly. Let's look at typical cases:

Problem 1: Instead of the network name, it says "Internet" or "Network"

• 🔄 Reconnect to the network: turn Wi-Fi off and on again.
• 🖥️ Update your network adapter driver via device Manager.
• 🔧 Check your router settings - broadcasting may be disabled SSID.

Problem 2: Team netsh wlan show interfaces returns an empty result

• 🔌 Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter is turned on (sometimes it can be turned off by pressing the key Fn + F2/F12 on laptops).
• 🛠️ Run Command Prompt as administrator.
• 📡 Check if you are connected to the network via Wi-Fi and not Ethernet.

Problem 3: Network name not showing in menu bar on Mac

• 🔄 Restart the Wi-Fi module: disable and enable it in System settings.
• 📱 Reset network settings: System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Reset.
• 🖥️ Update macOS to the latest version - older versions may have bugs with SSID display.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to find out the name of a Wi-Fi network to which another computer on the same network is connected?

No, you can't do it directly. But if you know IP address that computer, you can try to connect to it via protocol ARP or through nmap (Administrator rights and knowledge of networking technologies are required). It's easier to ask the owner of that PC to look at it. SSID one of the methods above.

Why are there multiple identical names displayed in the network list?

This is normal if you have:

• 📶 Dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with the same SSID).
• 🔄 Multiple access points with the same name (for example, in an office for roaming).
• 📡 Neighboring networks with similar names (e.g. mywifi And mywifi_5G).

To distinguish them, look at MAC address (BSSID) in detailed settings.

How to find out the name of a Wi-Fi network on Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.)?

In most distributions, the current network name can be seen:

• 🐧 Via the network icon in the taskbar (similar to Windows).
• 💻 Via a command in the terminal:

  iwgetid -r

  or

  nmcli -t -f active,ssid dev wifi | grep '^yes'

Is it possible to change the name of my Wi-Fi network directly from my computer?

No, network name (SSID) can only be changed in the settings routerTo do this:

1. Go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section Wireless or Wi-Fi.
3. In the field SSID Enter a new name and save the settings.

After the change, all devices will be disconnected and will have to be reconnected.

What should I do if I forgot my Wi-Fi password but remember the network name?

If your computer is already connected to this network, you can find out the password:

• 🖥️ In Windows: run the command:

  netsh wlan show profile name="[NETWORK_NAME]" key=clear

  Look for the line "Key content".

• 🍎 In macOS: open Bunch of keys, find the network name and check the box "Show password".