How to Find a WPA Key on a Wireless Network

You use a WPA key to connect to a wireless network. The network administrator will be able to provide you with the WPA password. If you get a wireless router, it may come with a default WPA passphrase or password. You may be able to reset your router if you cannot find its password.

How a WPA Key Works

Wi-Fi protected access is known as WPA. There are three versions of the standard, which replaced a less secure system called wired equivalent privacy, or WEP. To gain access to a wireless network, your devices generally require a password regardless of the version they are using. To prevent eavesdropping, your communications are encrypted once you have access.

It is the latest version of WPA3 that provides the most security, including on public networks.

If you share your wireless password with someone you don't trust, they may be able to access your devices or spy on you.

How to Find WPA Keys

You can generally get the key from whoever manages a network if you're using a public or business hot spot. Ask your host for the network password if you're at their house.

If you don't know the password for your own network, check your wireless router. A default password or passphrase is often printed on the device and labeled something like "WPA Password" or "Network Security Key".

The device will often display an SSID number as well. That's what your network is called by default. Generally, you can access your router's configuration options from a computer on your network and change the router name and password.

How to Reset a Password

It is impossible to connect to a wireless network if you don't know the password. In most cases, if you forget or lose your router's password, you can reset it.

Often, there is a button on your router that you can press to reset it to factory settings, including the default password. Default passwords can either be found in online manuals or on the device itself. Consult the router's documentation or contact the manufacturer for assistance. The default password could be easily guessed if it is the same across all units of your router model.

You will also need to re-program any devices that have the router's password saved, including computers, smart phones, and devices such as smart TVs. Then, reset any devices that need to connect to the router with a new password that you are satisfied with.