How to Find Your WPA-PSK Key

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Retrieving your router's WPA-PSK key is easier than you might think.

An open wireless network is vulnerable to nosy neighbors and others with more malicious intent. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a type of security protocol for wireless networks that can keep out unauthorized users. When WPA is active on your router, each device that attempts to connect to the network will need the correct key. Knowing your key can help you add new devices to the network, connect your game console to the internet and let guests use the network. Follow these steps to find your WPA-PSK key.

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Step 1

Connect your computer to one of the LAN ports on the router using an Ethernet cable. Check that the router is plugged in and has power.

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Step 2

Open the Web browser and enter the router's IP address into the address bar. The IP address for most routers is "http://192.168.2.1" or "http://192.168.1.1" (without quotation marks). This displays your router's setup page. If the setup page does not appear, consult the router's user manual for the correct IP address.

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Step 3

Log in with your username and password. Depending on the router, you may be automatically prompted for the log-in credentials or you may have to manually click "Login" somewhere on the setup page. If you did not create a username and password, use the default username and password for the router. Try "admin" for the username and leave the password blank, or "admin" for the username and "password" for the password. If these do not work, consult the router's user manual for the defaults.

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Step 4

Reset the router to its default settings if you know that you created a username and password but cannot remember them. Use a pin to press the small reset button, (usually located on the back of the router) for 20-30 seconds. This restores the router to factory settings. Refer to Step 3 to log in to the setup page.

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Step 5

Look under the "Wireless Settings" or "Wireless Security" sections of the configuration page. The WPA key should be here. If you reset the router in Step 4, then you must create the key again.

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