Where Is Security Key on Router?

Have you signed out of your WiFi network and had trouble remembering your security key? If that’s the case, then it’s a good idea to know where is security key on router, and how to find it easily. Therefore, let’s look at how you can find your network’s security key.

Where Is Security Key on Router?

One way to find a router’s security key is to look at the device itself. Many routers have the factory preset security key printed on the label. If it has been changed, you can find it within the router’s web-based configuration utility or by searching for it in the network’s properties on Windows or Mac.

Let’s take a closer look into each of the ways where is a security key is located on a router and how you can find it faster.

Also read: How to Find a Wireless Encryption Key

How Can You Find the Security Key on a Router

There are several ways to locate a network security key based on two situations:

If the router is new or it has been reset to factory settings

The first way to find the network security key is if you’ve just purchased the router or reset it to its factory settings. In that case, look for the security key on the router itself. 

The most common place where you can locate the security key is on the back of the device with all other technical data. So, you need to look at the sticker on the router and inspect it for the key.

Brands and manufacturers can have different names for a security key so that it may be labeled as a: Password, Wireless password, WPA key, or Network key. All of these are the same and have the same meaning.

If the router’s factory key has been changed with a new one

In a situation where you’ve changed the factory preset security key with a new one, but by some coincidence, you’ve forgotten it. There are two ways to find it in this case: via the router’s web-based configuration utility or the network’s name on Windows or Mac.

Finding the security key using the router’s web-based configuration utility

The web-based configuration utility is the universal way of finding the security key, no matter which operating system you use. 

Even though it is a simple process, many people find it complicated because not everyone understands how router networks work. To find the security key using the web-based configuration utility, follow these steps:

1. Access the utility by entering the router’s IP address and login info.
2. Search for the tab named “Wireless” or “Wireless Settings”.
3. Select a tab called “Security”, located under “Wireless Settings”.
4. Your router’s security key should be visible there.

Finding the security key through the network’s properties

Depending on the operating system of your device, you can also find the router’s security key through the network’s properties.

Go to the “Start” menu on Windows and select “Network Connections”. Double-click on the WiFi network connection and select “Wireless Properties”. Click the “Security” tab in the new window and check the “Show Characters” box to reveal the security key.

On Mac, click and open the search function in the upper right corner of the screen, represented by a magnifying glass. From there, search for “Keychain Access,” and in the new window, look for the name of your WiFi network. Click it and check the “Show Password” option to make the security key visible. If your Mac is encrypted, it will require you to enter your password.

Read More: How Many Devices Can a Router Handle

Meaning of Network Security Key Mismatch

Even after finding the security key, you may still be unable to connect to the network. In such cases, a “Network Security Key Mismatch” message may appear, indicating several things:

• You’ve entered the wrong password – The first and obvious reason is that you’ve entered the wrong password while trying to connect to the network. Ensure you enter the key correctly, copy it from a Notepad document, and paste it directly into the empty field.
• The device you’re using is too old – This is another common reason why the security key mismatch message may appear. Older devices do not support WPA2 encryption, so they won’t be able to connect to the router or the network.
• The router may need a restart – Sometimes, the router may simply require a restart because devices with sensitive electronic parts often experience a blockage.

Security Key Types

To completely cover the topic, we will give you a quick rundown of all the security key types and their characteristics so that you can tell them apart and know how they differ.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

The WEP is an obsolete WiFi encryption technology that provided security for wireless networks over 20 years ago. It is a weak encryption method that can be bypassed within minutes since the technology uses a 40-bit encryption key.

Modern devices and routers don’t use WEP, but we mention it here so that you will know what WEP is and what it means should you encounter it.

WPA (WiFi Protected Access)

With the introduction of WPA and its successors, the WPA2 and WPA3, wireless networks became highly encrypted and secure. The WPA was designed to be a transition point between WEP and WPA2, and WPA2 has been used for more than 18 years.

The WPA2 uses a pre-shared key (PSK) with an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to safely secure a WiFi network from unauthorized attacks. Key sizes can vary depending on the encryption type, ranging from 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit. 

Also Read: How Often Should You Reset Your Router

Conclusion

We hope our article will prove helpful and that now you will know where is security key on router, and how to find it. 

We’ve also provided some additional information related to security keys to make the article complete and help better understand what network security keys are and how they differ.