How to find out your WiFi password using a computer connected via cable

It's quite common to need to connect a new device to a wireless network but have forgotten or lost the password. Router owners often change the default security settings during initial setup, only to forget the password six months or a year later. If you have a computer or laptop already connected to the router via a LAN cable or have network access, restoring access to your wireless network is entirely possible.

There are several proven methods for solving this problem, ranging from viewing saved keys in the Windows operating system to logging into the router's administrative panel. Each method has its own characteristics and is suitable for different use cases. It's important to understand that the success of this procedure directly depends on the access rights you currently have and the model of your network equipment.

In this article, we'll detail the steps for various operating systems and web interfaces of popular router manufacturers. You'll learn how to use the command line to obtain hidden data, how to find the information you need in the web configurator, and what to do if standard methods fail. Restoring access Networking is a basic home network administration skill that will save you time and hassle.

Using the Windows Command Prompt to View the Key

The fastest and most reliable way to find out your WiFi password if your computer has ever connected to that network (even if you're currently connected via a cable) is to use the built-in Windows command line utilities. The operating system stores encrypted profiles of all the networks you've ever connected to, but an authorized user can access them using a simple tool.

First, you need to launch the command prompt with administrator rights. Press the key combination Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter, or search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-click it, and select "Run as administrator." Without administrator privileges, the command will not be able to read saved security keys.

In the window that opens, enter the command to display all saved WiFi profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

The system will display a list of all networks. Find your network name (SSID) in the list. If you know the exact name, enter the following command immediately, substituting your network name:

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

Please note that the network name must be entered in quotation marks if it contains spaces. In the detailed information window that opens, find the "Security settings" section. Your password will be displayed in cleartext in the "Key Content" line. This method works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 without installing any additional software.

⚠️ Attention: If you receive an error message like "Group parameter not found" or something similar when entering the command, make sure you've entered the profile name correctly. It must match the character of the network name in the list.

Finding a password through the Windows graphical interface

If using the command line seems too complicated or you prefer visual interfaces, Windows allows you to find the password through standard network settings. This method is especially convenient if your computer is currently connected to the router via WiFi, but it also works if you want to view the properties of an existing profile.

To access the settings, right-click the network icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select "Network & Internet settings." In the window that opens, find the "Network and Sharing Center" link (in Windows 10/11, it may be under "Status" or "Advanced network settings").

In the Network and Sharing Center, find the active connection with the name of your WiFi. Click the blue link with the network name. The "Wireless Network Status" window will open. Click the "Wireless Network Properties" button.

In the new window, go to the "Security" tab. You'll see the "Network Security Key" field, where the characters are hidden by dots. To see the password, check the "Show entered characters" box. The system may ask you to confirm your computer administrator rights. Once confirmed, the password will become visible.

• 🔍 This method only works for a network to which the computer is currently connected or has been connected previously and the profile has been saved.
• 🔐 Local administrator rights on this computer are required to display the key.
• 💻 In Windows 11, the settings interface has been changed, and the path may look like this: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks → (Select network) → View Wi-Fi key.

It's important to note that if you're connected via a cable (LAN) but want to find the password for the WiFi shared by the same router, this method may not work directly if the WiFi profile is inactive. In this case, it's better to use the command line method described above, as it accesses the database of saved profiles rather than the currently active connection.

Login to the router's web interface to view settings

The most universal method, which works regardless of your computer's operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux), is to log into your router's control panel. Since your computer is connected to the router via cable, you have full access to its settings. The WiFi password is stored in the device's configuration and can be viewed or changed in the appropriate section.

To log in, you need to know the IP address of the default gateway. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The address may also be on a sticker on the bottom of the router. Open any browser and enter this address in the address bar.

The system will ask for your login and password to access the admin panel. If you haven't changed them, they are the default (often admin/admin). If you changed your admin panel password and forgot it, this method won't work without resetting the router.

After successful authorization, the interface may differ depending on the manufacturer (TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic, MikroTik). You need to find the section related to the wireless network. It's usually called "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Wireless Mode," or "WLAN." Within this section, look for the "Security" or "Security Settings" subsection. This is where the "Password" (Password, Pre-shared Key, or WPA Key) field is located.

Some modern router models hide the password field behind asterisks, even in the admin panel. In this case, there may be a "Show" button (with an eye) or a "Change" button next to the field, which allows you to enter a new password, replacing the old one. Remember the new password, as you'll need to reconnect all your devices.

⚠️ Attention: Router firmware interfaces are constantly updated. Menu locations may differ from those shown in the table. Look for the keywords "Wireless," "Security," or the Wi-Fi icon.

What to do if the standard IP does not open?

If 192.168.1.1 isn't working, check your network adapter settings. Press Win+R, enter ncpa.cpl, find your local area connection (Ethernet), right-click → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). You'll see "Default Gateway" listed there—this is your router's address.

Password search features on macOS and Linux

Users of Apple Mac computers or Linux-based operating systems can also recover a forgotten password if the device has previously connected to the network. The key storage mechanisms in these systems differ from those in Windows, but the principle remains the same: access to saved profiles.

In macOS, all passwords, including WiFi keys, are stored in Keychain Access. To find your password, open Keychain Access (you can find it in Spotlight by pressing Cmd+Space). Select "System" or "Login" from the list on the left, and find the name of your WiFi network in the list of objects.

Double-click the network name. In the window that opens, check the "Show password" box. The system will prompt you to enter your Mac user account password (or fingerprint/FaceID). Once confirmed, the password will appear in the text field.

In Linux, the path may vary depending on the distribution and network manager used (NetworkManager, Wicd). For NetworkManager, you can use the terminal. Enter the command to view connections:

nmcli connection show

Then, knowing the connection name (SSID), use the command:

nmcli connection show "NetworkName" | grep 802-11-wireless-security.key

This command will output a string containing the security key. If you're using a graphical shell (GNOME, KDE), network settings often allow you to view the password in the connection properties, similar to Windows, after entering the user password.

• 🍏 On a Mac, the password is stored in a secure system utility, access to which requires user authorization.
• 🐧 On Linux, access via terminal may require root privileges (use sudo).
• 💾 Data in macOS Keychain is synced via iCloud if the corresponding feature is enabled.

Resetting your router as a last resort

If none of the software methods help (you don't remember the password for the router's admin panel, the computer has never connected to WiFi, or the key line in the settings is hidden), the last radical method remains - a complete reset of the router to factory settings (Factory Reset).

This procedure will restore the device to its original state. The default WiFi network name and password (as well as the admin password) will be restored to the values ​​indicated on the sticker on the router. It is important to understand: After the reset, you will have to reconfigure your Internet (enter your ISP login and password if you are using PPPoE or L2TP) and configure your WiFi settings.

To reset the router, locate the button or hole labeled "Reset," "RST," or "WPS/Reset" on the router's body. If it's a hole, you'll need a paperclip or needle. With the router turned on, press and hold this button for 10-15 seconds. The lights on the front panel should blink or turn off, indicating the reset process has begun.

After rebooting, connect to the network with the factory name (indicated on the sticker). The WiFi password will also be on the sticker. Then, access the web interface at the default address and reconfigure the network, setting new, secure passwords.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting your settings will erase all your personalizations: network name, password, port settings, parental controls, and, most importantly, your ISP connection settings. Make sure you have your ISP contract or PPPoE/L2TP setup information before resetting.

Frequently asked questions and problems when restoring access

Users often encounter common issues during the password recovery process. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you avoid mistakes and complete the process successfully.

Is it possible to find out the password if the computer is connected via cable but has never been connected via WiFi?

Yes, this is possible, but only through the router's web interface (see the section "How to find the password through a computer via cable – logging into the admin panel"). The Windows command line and network settings will only show the password for networks to which this specific computer has previously connected. If the profile isn't saved, the OS won't know the key.

What should I do if the "Show Password" button in Windows is grayed out and can't be clicked?

This means your current account doesn't have administrator privileges. You'll need to log in as an administrator or have someone who does perform this operation. Without administrator privileges, viewing saved security keys is impossible.

The router is distributing WiFi, but the settings are set to "No security" (Open), even though there was a password before?

It's possible that security settings were accidentally reset or changed by another user. If the network status says "Unsecured," then technically there's no password, and you can connect without one. However, this isn't secure. We recommend going to your router settings, setting the security type to WPA2-PSK, and creating a new password.

Is it possible to recover the password using third-party programs like WiFi Password Revealer?

Yes, such programs exist and work by reading the Windows registry or using system APIs, similar to the command line. However, using third-party software carries risks: they may contain viruses, miners, or adware. Built-in Windows tools (cmd or settings) are safer and more reliable.

To sum it up, it can be said that knowing that, How to find out your WiFi password using a computer, is an important skill. The most effective and secure method is to use the command line. netsh for Windows or by logging into the router's control panel. These methods don't require installing any additional software and are guaranteed to work if you have physical access to the configured device.