How to Change Wi-Fi Password in Windows and Mac?

There are different reasons you need to change the password of your wireless connection. Sometimes, you need to reset the router and set a new password for security reasons. In certain occasions, you may change the router or change the house or office location and need to connect to a new Wi-Fi connection. Here is how you can change the Wi-Fi password in Windows and Mac when you change the stuff.

Change Wi-Fi Password

Both Windows PC and Mac will automatically detect the wireless network when you have setup the router properly. sometimes your desktop can also join the network automatically when you have already connected that network in your smartphone. You will see the Wi-Fi icon in Mac top bar or Windows taskbar showing as connected. However, when you try to open a website, you will see the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET error indicating the internet connection is not available. You will also see an suggestion in Chrome that reconnecting to Wi-Fi could solve the problem.

Change Wi-Fi Password in Mac

Follow the below instructions to change the already connected wireless network’s password.

• Click on the Apple logo on top left corner of your screen. Select “System Preferences…” option to open your Mac settings and navigate to “Network” section.

• Alternatively, click on the Wi-Fi icon on the top bar and select “Network Preferences…” option.

• When you are in the network preferences section, make sure you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and click on the padlock icon.

• Enter your administrator username/password to unlock the settings for editing.

• Select “Automatically join this network” option and then click on “Advanced…” button.
• Under “Wi-Fi” tab, select the network that you want to change the password. Click on the – icon to remove the network from your “Preferred Networks:” list.

• Click “Remove” to on the pop-up that appears and confirm the removing the network from the list.

• Again, click on the + icon to add a new Wi-Fi network.

• Enter network name, password details and click “OK” button to add a new Wi-fi network profile.

• Alternatively, you can also click on the “Show Networks” button to view all available Wi-Fi networks nearer to your Mac. Select the one you want to connect and click on “Join” button to provide your password.

• Click “OK” to close the pop-up and return to network preferences section. Now, you should the network in the connected status and click on the “Apply” button and then the padlock to lock your preferences.

Note When Changing Wi-Fi Password in Mac

In case if you provide wrong password, Mac will prompt you to enter the correct password by showing an invalid password message. However, this happens with a delay. Hence, wait for some time if you are not able to connect to the internet. When prompted you can enter the correct password and try to connect again.

Another problem that can happen is using a manual IP address assignment. In case if you have manually assigned an IP address to use a static IP address then you should change that when changing to a new Wi-Fi network profile. Mac will not automatically change this for you. When you are in the network preferences section, go to “TCP/IP” tab. Click on the “Configure IPv4” dropdown and select “Using DHCP” option. Click “Renew DHCP Lease” to get a dynamic IP assignment for your computer.

If you are using IPv6, then select “Automatically” option and click “OK” to get correct IP address.

These settings will help when the new Wi-Fi network belongs to different ISP or your allocated IP address range is changed.

Change Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11

You can see the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar tray when connected to your network. Click on that icon and then click on the small arrow showing next to the Wi-Fi icon.

On the next screen, click on “Disconnect” button against the connected Wi-Fi network.

Now, select “Connect automatically” and click on the “Connect” button.

Enter the new Wi-Fi password and select and click “Next” button.

• Windows will check and verify the credentials you have provided.

• After connecting successfully, you can see the network name when hovering over the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar tray.

Note for Changing Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11

If Wi-Fi is not connected, Windows 11 will show you a globe with no internet access icon on the taskbar tray. Click on the globe icon to see Wi-Fi is showing as “Available”.

Click on the arrow next to Wi-Fi icon to see the list of available networks. Click on the Wi-Fi network profile and follow the similar process like above by providing your password to connect to the network.

If internet is not working, check whether you have manually assigned IP address for the network. In this case, probably you need to redetermine the IP automatically.

• Press Win + I” keys to open Windows Settings app and go to “Network & internet” option. Alternatively, you can right click on the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar and select “Network and Internet settings” option.

• When you are in the Windows network settings page, click on the “Properties” of your connected Wi-Fi network.

• Check the “IP Assignment” is showing as “Automatic (DCHP)”.

• If it shows as “Manual”, then click on the “Edit” icon, select “Automatic (DHCP)” option and save your changes.

Now, check your internet connection should work fine like before.

Final Words

When changing the Wi-Fi profile name or password, it is necessary to change the same in your computer and smartphones. The problem is that you will see the computer shows the Wi-Fi icon as connected though the password is changed leading to no internet connection. You can simply disconnect the network and reconnect again with the new password. In case, if you have set the IP address manually, make sure to redetermine the IP address automatically for the Wi-Fi connection to work.