How to find out the name of your Wi-Fi on your computer: all the working methods

Forgot the name of your Wi-Fi network, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device, but you can't remember? SSID (network name)? This situation is familiar to many people, especially if the network was set up a long time ago and the password was saved automatically. Fortunately, you can find out the Wi-Fi name on your computer with Windows 10 or Windows 11 You can do it in just a couple of clicks—and even in more than one way.

In this article, we'll cover all the current methods: from standard system tools to the command line and third-party programs. We'll also cover the nuances of hidden networksWhen the Wi-Fi name isn't displayed in the list of available networks, and on common errors that can prevent a computer from displaying the name of a connected network. If you need not only the name but also the password, there's a bonus section at the end of the article with instructions on how to extract them.

Spoiler: the fastest way is through Windows Settings, but it only works if you're already connected to the network. If your computer can't detect Wi-Fi at all, you'll need alternative methods (see below).

Method 1: Via Windows Settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable if your computer already connected to a Wi-Fi network. The instructions are the same for Windows 10 And Windows 11, the only differences are in the menu design.

Open Parameters (keys Win + I) and go to the section Network and Internet. In the block Wi-Fi You will see the name of the current network next to the inscription ConnectedClicking on the network name will open a page with detailed information, including SSID, security type and IP address.

• ✅ Pros: does not require administrator rights, works on any version of Windows.
• ❌ Cons: will not show the network name if there is no connection.

If in this section instead of the network name you see the inscription No internet connection or Unidentified network, try refreshing the list of networks with the button Show available networks (Wi-Fi icon in the system tray). Sometimes rebooting the router helps.

Method 2: Via the Network and Sharing Center (alternative to Settings)

This method takes a bit longer, but is useful if you have an older version of Windows or the settings are not opening correctly. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom right of the taskbar) and select Open Network and Internet settings. Then scroll down and click Network and Sharing Center.

In the window that opens next to Connections will be the name of your network (for example, Wi-Fi (network_name)). Click on it - a window will open. Wi-Fi status, where in the field Network name (SSID) and there will be the necessary information.

⚠️ Attention: If in this window instead of the network name you see a set of characters like xFINITY or DIRECT-xx-BRAVIAThis could be a guest network from your ISP or a device (such as a TV) that's distributing Wi-Fi. Check which network your computer is connected to.

Through Network and Sharing Center You can also watch connection speed, Wi-Fi standard (802.11n/ac/ax) and even diagnose problems. For example, if a yellow triangle with an exclamation point appears next to the network name, this indicates a limited connection (often resolved by rebooting the router).

Method 3: via command line (for hidden networks)

If your network hidden (the broadcast SSID is disabled in the router settings), its name will not appear in the standard Windows menus. In this case, the command prompt will help. Open it as administrator (press Win + X and select Terminal (administrator) or Command Prompt (Administrator)) and enter:

netsh wlan show interfaces

In the command results, find the line SSID — this is the name of your network. If you're connected to multiple networks (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously), a list will be displayed.

• 🔍 What else can you find out with this command:
• 📡 Radio type — Wi-Fi standard (802.11ac/ax).
• 🔒 Authentication type — encryption method (WPA2-PSK, WPA3 etc.).
• 📶 Signal — signal level in percent.

If the command returns an empty result or an error, check if the Wi-Fi adapter is enabled (sometimes it can be disabled by pressing the Fn + F2 or in Device Manager). Also make sure you have launched the command prompt as administrator - otherwise some of the data may not be displayed.

netsh wlan show profiles

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

Method 4: Using PowerShell (for advanced users)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the command line, and can also help if standard methods fail. Run it as administrator (enter PowerShell in Windows search, then right-click - Run as administrator) and run the command:

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

The command will return the name of the current Wi-Fi network. If you need to see all saved networks, use:

Get-WlanProfile | Select-Object Name

Unlike the command line, PowerShell Allows you to export a list of networks to a file. For example, to save all SSIDs to a text document on your desktop:

Get-WlanProfile | Select-Object Name | Out-File "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\WiFi_Networks.txt"

⚠️ Attention: If after executing the commands in PowerShell you see an error No MSFT_NetAdapter objects found, this means that the system did not detect the Wi-Fi adapter. Check that it is enabled in Device Manager or update your drivers.

Method 5: Using third-party programs (if nothing else works)

If Windows' built-in tools aren't helpful, you can use third-party utilities. They will not only display the network name but also provide additional information, such as signal strength, channel, router MAC address, and even neighboring networks.

The most popular programs:

• 🛠️ WirelessNetView (from NirSoft) - shows all networks within range, including hidden ones, with detailed parameters.
• 📊 inSSIDer — professional Wi-Fi analyzer, displays channels, overlaps and optimization recommendations.
• 🔍 NetSpot — creates a heat map of Wi-Fi coverage, useful for large spaces.

For example, in WirelessNetView just run the program (no installation required), and in the column SSID You will see the name of your network. If the network is hidden, it will be marked with an asterisk (*) or an inscription HiddenThe program will also show MAC address of the router (field Adapter MAC Address), which will help identify it among other devices.

Warning: Some antivirus programs (eg. Avast or Kaspersky) can block utilities from NirSoft, considering them potentially dangerous. This is a false positive—the programs don't contain viruses, but are running at a low system level. If necessary, add them to your antivirus exclusions.

Download the program from the official NirSoft website

Unzip and run WirelessNetView.exe

Find your network in the SSID column (hidden networks are marked *)

Check the signal strength in the Signal Quality column.

If necessary, export the report via File → Save Selected Items-->

What should I do if my computer doesn't see Wi-Fi at all?

If none of these methods work, the problem may be deeper, ranging from a disconnected adapter to a faulty router. Here's a diagnostic checklist:

If the problem persists, try connecting your computer to the router via cable and accessing its web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Network name (SSID) can be found in the section Wireless or Wi-Fi. From different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) the menu may differ, but the principle is the same: look for the wireless network settings.

Bonus: How to find out the Wi-Fi password on a computer?

If you need not only the name but also the network password, you can also extract it from Windows. To do this, open command prompt as administrator and enter:

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME on real SSID (which you learned from the instructions above). In the results, find the block Security settings - there will be a line Key content with a password.

Alternative method:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the name of your network, then select Properties.
3. Scroll down to Network password and press Show (you will be asked to enter your Windows account password).

⚠️ Attention: If the password is displayed as and a button Show If the status is inactive, this means your account doesn't have administrator rights. Log in as an administrator or use the command prompt (method one).

netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="C:\WiFi_Passwords"