8 Fixes for Wi-Fi Password Not Working on Windows PC
You swear you know the Wi-Fi password but still see an error when entering it on your Windows PC. This is a common problem that many people face. There could be several reasons why the Wi-Fi password is not working on your Windows PC like glitch, caps lock, drivers, and MAC address. Here are some things you can try when a Wi-Fi password doesn’t work on Windows.
Table of Contents
1. Before You Begin
A lot of users make these common mistakes. Go through the list to make sure things are in order.
Tip:you may easilyfind your Android hotspot password and change it.
2. Run Network and Network Adapter Troubleshooters
All Windows license comes with a set of troubleshooting tools. One of them solves common network-related problems such as the one you are facing where Wi-Fi password is not working on your PC.
1.PressWindows key+Ito open Settings.
2.Using the search bar in the top-left side, find and openFind and fix network problems.
3.A pop-up window will appear. Click onAdvancedtext button here.
4.Make sureApply repairs automaticallyis selected and then click onNext.
5.Let it run and see if entering the Wi-Fi password connects your Windows computer to the network.
6.If Wi-Fi password is still not working, go back to Settings, and this time, search forFind and fix problems with your network adapter. Run it just like you did before from step 3 above.
3. Reset Wi-Fi Password or Ask Admin
If your personal or home Wi-Fi password is not working, you can quickly change it yourself using one of the devices that is already connected to it (more on that below). However, if you are working in an office, changing Wi-Fi password for one PC or mobile can lead to several issues which is why we don’t recommend it unless many employees are facing it. In that case, you can contact the admin.
The steps to change Wi-Fi password will depend on the router you have. We recommend using Google to find the support page of the router company name.
1.Usually, the IP address you must enter in the browser is192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1.
2.You may then need to sign in if not already. The username is usuallyadminand the password is alsoadmin. Sometimes, id and password are written on the back of the router. Again, check the router manufacturer’s support page to find login details if it is not working.
3.Once in, you are looking for a page with Wi-Fi or WPA password. You can either change the password here or view the existing password to make sure you have it correct.
4.Reboot your router by clicking on the Reboot button.
4. Update or Reinstall Network Adapter Password
In simpler terms, adriver is somethingthat helps external hardware devices like network adapter, graphics card, etc. connect and play well with Windows operating system and software of the computer. Like all software, drivers receive updates and can get corrupted.
1.Search for theDevice Managerfrom the Start menu and open it.
2.Double-click onNetwork adaptersto expand it. Look for your Wi-Fi adapter. Depending on the adapter make and model, you should see something with Intel or Wi-Fi in the name. Right-click on it and selectUpdate.
3.If Wi-Fi password is still not working on your Windows PC, go back to the above menu and selectPropertiesthis time.
4.Under theDriver tab, you’re able to update the driver and also rollback it in case there was a new update installed recently. If the option is greyed out, there’s nothing to do here.
Pro Tip:You can easilycheck who is doing what on your Wi-Fi networkusing this simple trick.
5. Forget Network
When you connect Windows computer to a Wi-Fi network, it saves the network so that it doesn’t have to search for it again. Forgetting the network and reconnecting to it can help.
1.PressWindows key+Ito open Settings. SelectNetwork & internetfrom the left sidebar and then click onWi-Fi.
2.Click onManage Known Networks.
3.Click onForgetnext to the Wi-Fi network to which your Windows PC is not connecting.
You won’t see any confirmation pop-up or anything. The Wi-Fi network will be removed immediately. Now reboot your router once, search for the Wi-Fi network, and reconnect to it using the password you have.
6. Reset Network Settings
Note that resetting network settings will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks on your Windows computer meaning you will have to re-add them and enter password again.
1.Open WindowsSettingsagain (Windows+I) and go toNetwork & internet > Advanced network settings.
2.Click onNetwork reset.
3.Click onReset now.
Follow on-screen instructions after that.
7. Reset Firewall and Flush DNS
Firewall protects your PC from external threats of all kinds, however, it can act like an overprotective parent blocking access to things that aren’t bad for you. A false positive, if you will. Let’s run a couple of CMD or Command Prompt commands to reset the firewall and flush the DNS.
1.Search for CMD in the Start menu and click on Run as administrator to open it with admin rights. If you don’t have admin rights, talk to your floor admin or manager.
2.Run the commands below, one at a time. Let the first command run before giving the next.
3.Close CMD, reboot your Windows computer, and check if the Wi-Fi password is working now and you can connect to the network.
8. Check MAC Address
If you are trying to connect to a hostel or resort Wi-Fi network, it is possible that your Windows PC won’t connect to Wi-Fi even if the password is correct. You will have to ask the admin to add the MAC address first.
MAC or media access control address is a physical address that helps the network identify your PC. It is unique to each device and used for identification and verification on the local network.
You will have to add MAC address manually to the router. The steps will differ slightly based on the make and model of the router. Here are the steps forTP-LinkandLinksys. Search by router’s name to find it.
To know your Windows computer’s MAC address, open CMD with admin rights as we did earlier and copy-paste the command below. Look for a physical address or MAC address in the list.
Wi-Fi Password Not Working on Windows
It’s an everyday common problem where you enter the Wi-Fi password but Windows computer won’t connect to the network. More often than not, it is a setting that prevents you from connecting to the Wi-Fi network even when the Wi-Fi password is correct. Rarely, it is an error that you need to troubleshoot when the Wi-Fi password doesn’t work on Windows.
Have too many devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network? You canprioritize themto make sure your work is not affected.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
