How To Change Name Wifi
Changing your Wi-Fi network's name, also known as its SSID (Service Set Identifier), is a simple yet effective way to personalise your home network and enhance its security. The default name assigned by your internet provider often reveals the brand of your router, which can be a hint for potential intruders. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for changing your Wi-Fi name on almost any router used in the UK, ensuring all your devices can get back online smoothly and securely.
Fast Answer
- Key Setting: SSID (Service Set Identifier)
- Where to find it: In your router's admin settings page.
- Access via: Your router's IP address in a web browser.
Before You Start
- A connected device: You'll need a computer, tablet, or phone that is currently connected to your Wi-Fi network (or connected directly to the router with an Ethernet cable).
- Router login details: Find the sticker on your router. You're looking for the admin username, password, and IP address.
- A new network name idea: Think of a name that is unique but doesn't include personal information like your name or address.
- Patience: You will need to reconnect every single Wi-Fi device in your home to the new network name once you're done.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Find Your Router's IP Address
To access your router's settings, you need its IP address. This is its local network address, not your public internet address. The easiest way to find this is to look at the sticker on the bottom or back of your router. It's often labelled as "Gateway IP," "Router Address," or similar, and is usually a number like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
If you can't find the sticker, you can find the address on a connected device:
- On Windows: Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for the "Default Gateway" address.
- On a Mac: Go to System Settings > Network, select your Wi-Fi connection, click "Details," and find the "Router" address.
Access Your Router's Admin Panel
Open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) on a device that's connected to your network. In the address bar at the very top—where you'd normally type a website address like google.com—type in the IP address you found in the previous step and press Enter.
This should take you to a login screen for your router's administrative panel. If it doesn't load, double-check that you typed the number correctly and that your device is definitely connected to the network.
Log In with Your Admin Credentials
The login page will ask for a username and password. Once again, these details are almost always printed on the sticker on your router. They are often labelled as "Admin Password" or "Access Key".
Common default usernames are 'admin', but the password is now almost always a unique, randomly generated one for security. If you have previously changed these details and can't remember them, you may need to perform a factory reset on your router, but be warned this will erase all your settings.
Navigate to the Wireless Settings
Once logged in, you'll be faced with a settings menu. Every router manufacturer designs this differently, but the terminology is broadly similar. You need to find the section that controls your Wi-Fi network. Look for menu items labelled:
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Settings
- Network Settings
- WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
Sometimes these options are under an "Advanced" or "Expert" tab. Click around until you find a page that shows your current Wi-Fi name.
Locate the SSID (Network Name) Field
On the wireless settings page, you are looking for a text box labelled SSID. SSID stands for "Service Set Identifier," which is the technical term for your Wi-gFi network's public name. This field will currently contain the name you see when you search for networks on your phone or laptop.
There might be other settings on this page, like security type (e.g., WPA2, WPA3) and the password field. Be careful to only change the SSID field for now.
Choose and Enter Your New Wi-Fi Name
Now for the creative part. Click inside the SSID text box, delete the old name, and type in your new one. When choosing a name, follow these best practices:
- Avoid personal information: Don't use your name, house number, or flat number (e.g., "TheSmithsWifi" or "Flat3-Wifi" are bad choices).
- Keep it clean: Most routers support special characters, but some older devices may struggle to connect. It's safest to stick to letters and numbers.
- Make it unique: Choose a name that won't be confused with your neighbours' networks.
If you have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, you can either give them the same name (many modern routers can handle this with a feature called 'band steering') or different names (e.g., "MyNetwork" and "MyNetwork-5G") to manually choose which one to connect to.
Save or Apply Your Changes
This is a crucial step. Simply typing the new name isn't enough; you must save the change. Look for a button at the bottom or top of the page labelled "Save," "Apply," "Confirm," or "Save Settings."
After you click it, your router will process the change. It will almost certainly need to restart, which can take a minute or two. During this time, your internet connection will drop completely. This is normal. Wait for the lights on the front of the router to return to their steady, normal state (usually a solid white, blue, or green light).
Reconnect All Your Devices
Your old Wi-Fi network name no longer exists. You now need to go to each of your Wi-Fi-enabled devices and connect them to the new network.
- Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your phone, laptop, smart TV, or other gadget.
- Scan for available networks. You should see your new Wi-Fi name in the list.
- Select it and, when prompted, enter your existing Wi-Fi password. Remember, you have not changed the password, only the name.
- Repeat this process for every single device in your home.
Quick Reference: Common UK Router IPs
| Provider | Common IP Address / Web Address | Why |
|---|---|---|
| BT (Smart Hub) | 192.168.1.254 | Standard for most BT Hubs. You can also try bthomehub.home. |
| Sky (Broadband Hub) | 192.168.0.1 | The default for Sky routers. You can also try skyrouter.home. |
| Virgin Media (Hub) | 192.168.0.1 | This is the standard address for nearly all Virgin Media Hubs. |
| TalkTalk (Wi-Fi Hub) | 192.168.1.1 | Used by most modern TalkTalk routers. |
| Plusnet (Hub) | 192.168.1.254 | As Plusnet is part of BT, they often use the same address convention. |
Common Problems When You Change Wifi Name
Even though the process is straightforward, a few things can go wrong. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
Can't Access the Router Login Page
If typing the IP address gives you an error, check the basics first. Are you sure you are connected to that network? If you're using Wi-Fi, the connection will have dropped when the router restarted. Try connecting your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable for a stable link. Also, triple-check you've typed the numbers and dots of the IP address correctly.
New Wi-Fi Name Doesn't Appear
After saving the settings, your new network name should appear in the list of available networks within a few minutes. If it doesn't, the router may still be restarting. If it still doesn't show after five minutes, it's possible the change didn't save correctly. Log back into the admin panel (you may need to use an Ethernet cable) and verify that the SSID field shows your new name. If not, re-enter it and save again.
A Device Refuses to Reconnect
Sometimes, a device's memory of the old network can cause confusion. If a device can't connect to the new network even with the correct password, you should tell it to "forget" the old network. In your device's Wi-Fi settings, find the old network name (it may be saved even if it's not in range), and select the option to "Forget Network" or "Remove". Then, try connecting to the new one again from scratch.
You've Forgotten Your Admin Login Password
If you've changed the admin password from the one on the sticker and can't remember it, your only option is usually a factory reset. This is a last resort. Find the small, recessed "reset" button on your router. With the router powered on, press and hold this button with a paperclip for 10-30 seconds until the lights on the front flash. Warning: This will erase all your custom settings, including the Wi-Fi name, password, and any other configurations, returning them all to the factory defaults printed on the sticker.
Advanced Tips for Managing Your Wifi Name
Once you're comfortable changing the basic name, you can optimise your network further.
Consider Splitting Your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Bands
Most modern routers broadcast on two frequencies. The 2.4 GHz band has longer range but is slower and more prone to interference. The 5 GHz band is much faster but has a shorter range. By default, many routers combine these under one name ("Smart Wi-Fi" or "Band Steering"). However, you can give them separate names (e.g., "HomeWifi_2.4" and "HomeWifi_5G") in the settings. This allows you to manually connect high-priority devices like your TV or games console to the faster 5 GHz network, while leaving older or further away devices on the 2.4 GHz network.
Hide Your SSID for a Little Extra Privacy
In your router's wireless settings, you may see an option called "Enable SSID Broadcast" or "Hide SSID". If you disable this, your network name will no longer be publicly visible to anyone scanning for Wi-Fi. To connect, you will need to manually type the network name and password. This is not a strong security measure—savvy users can still find hidden networks—but it does prevent casual neighbours from seeing your network and trying to connect.
Create a Guest Network
If you have visitors who need internet access, it's much safer to put them on a separate guest network. Most routers have a "Guest Network" feature in their settings. You can enable this and give it a different name (e.g., "OurHouseGuest") and a simple, separate password. This gives your guests internet access without giving them access to other devices on your main network, like shared files or printers.
How To Change Name Wifi FAQ
Does changing the Wi-Fi name affect my internet speed?
No, not at all. The Wi-Fi name is just a label. It has no impact on the performance, speed, or stability of your internet connection.
Is it necessary to change my Wi-Fi name?
It's not strictly necessary, but it is highly recommended. Default names like "SKY12345" or "VM1234567" advertise your provider and router model, which is a piece of information a hacker could potentially use. A custom name is more secure and easier for you to recognise.
Do I have to change my Wi-Fi password at the same time?
No. The Wi-Fi name (SSID) and the Wi-Fi password (also called a Pre-Shared Key or PSK) are two separate settings. Changing one does not affect the other. However, while you are already logged into your router's settings, it's a great opportunity to also update your password to something strong and unique if you haven't done so in a while.
How often should I change my Wi-Fi name?
There is no need to change your Wi-Fi name regularly. Unlike a password, which is a security credential, the name is just an identifier. Pick a good one and you can stick with it for years. You should, however, change your Wi-Fi password every few months or if you ever suspect an unauthorised person has gained access to it.
Final Checklist for Changing Your Wifi Name
- Noted down your router's IP address and admin login details from the sticker.
- Successfully logged into your router's settings page via a web browser.
- Located the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" settings section.
- Found the text field for the SSID (the network name).
- Entered your new, unique network name and saved the changes.
- Waited for the router to fully restart.
- Scanned for networks on your primary device (e.g., your phone) and found the new name.
- Reconnected your primary device successfully using the existing Wi-Fi password.
- Systematically reconnected all other Wi-Fi devices in your home to the new network.
- Considered creating a guest network or updating your Wi-Fi password for better security.