How to Locate a Router's SSID and SSID Broadcast Setting (2024)

FAQs

How to Locate a Router's SSID and SSID Broadcast Setting? ›

Look for a sticker on your router.

You can typically find the SSID by selecting the "Basic" settings option, and then selecting "Wireless Settings". The SSID may be labeled as "Wireless Network Name". The option to enable SSID Broadcast is often located by selecting "Wireless Settings" under the "Advanced" settings.

Broadcasting the SSID displays the name of your network in the list of available networks when nearby users try to connect their wireless devices. If you don't want arbitrary wireless devices attempting to connect to your network, you can disable broadcasting of your SSID.

By default, most wireless routers have the SSID broadcast setting enabled. This means that the router actively advertises its network name, making it visible to nearby devices. When you search for available Wi-Fi networks on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you can see a list of SSIDs, including your own.

Typically, you can access it through http://192.168.1.1. In the address bar, type the Router IP address from the previous step and hit ENTER. Find the Wireless menu option. Locate the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field and change the default SSID name.

Look for a sticker on your router.

Many routers provided by Internet Service Providers have a sticker on the bottom or side, listing the default SSID. This is usually labeled as the SSID or "Network Name" and may be located next to a barcode.

Your options are to: Check with your router manufacturer to see if there is a firmware update that you can try to install on your router. After you install the firmware update, try to connect directly to the router again. Try restoring your router to factory defaults.

Hidden SSID is just not visible, but doesn't mean it is invisible. Once the device connects to the Hidden SSID, it will keep broadcasting unsolicited Probe-Request to AP/Router around, basically leaking your SSID EVERYWHERE (until it is unable to broadcast).

It's a unique ID that can be made up of case-sensitive letters, numbers, and special characters like dashes, periods, and spaces. According to the 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLAN) standard, an SSID can be as long as 32 characters.

Should I enable SSID broadcast on my router? ›

Because you cannot hide your router's activity completely without turning it off, disabling the broadcast is a pretty superficial measure of security. You might attract unwanted attention. Disabling your SSID broadcast could also raise suspicion.

In many cases, an SSID name can be located on the router of a Wi-Fi network. Usually, a sticker at the bottom of the router will show the network's name and password. However, these are the default settings, and many owners prefer to configure the router and network settings to create their own SSID name and password.

No, SSID is not the same as a Wi-Fi address. SSID is the name of your Wi-Fi network, while the Wi-Fi address, also known as the MAC address, is a unique identifier assigned to your device's network interface.

Right-click the Wi-Fi signal and select Open Network and Sharing Center. Select Set up a new connection or network. Select Manually connect to a wireless network and click Next.

Open Windows Command Prompt or Mac Terminal, depending on your device. Type “ipconfig” and hit Return. The router's IP address will display as a string of numbers next to “Default Gateway.”

If there are several networks with the same SSID name, your device will try to connect to the one with the strongest signal. If both networks have the same signal strength, your device may connect to either one randomly.

It is broadcast by the wireless network's router (or access point) so devices can see the different wireless networks in their vicinity. This is what makes it easy for users to find, select, and connect to nearby access points. The default setting for a wireless router is to broadcast its SSID.

In Network and Sharing Center, next to Connections, select your Wi-Fi network name. In Wi-Fi Status, select Wireless Properties. In Wireless Network Properties, select the Security tab, then select the Show characters check box. Your Wi-Fi network password is displayed in the Network security key box.