How to change your CenturyLink WiFi password

Creating a unique password is an important step in securing your home network. This article will show you two ways you can change your WiFi password:

From the CenturyLink app (for some modem models)
from your secure modem settings, which you can access on a computer or other connected device

Note that you may also want to customize your network name (SSID) to make it easy to recognize.

Customers with the Zyxel C3510XZ modem, please follow the instructions to change Zyxel C3510XZ WiFi settings.

For our newer modems, the My CenturyLink app is the easiest way to change your WiFi password. In the app, go to the My Products screen. Your app will look different based on which modem you are using.

Download the My CenturyLink app

If your screen looks like this (below), follow these instructions

If your screen looks like this (below), follow these instructions

Is "Change My WiFi Password" not appearing on the app?

If this option isn't appearing in your app, here are a few things you can try:

Go to your app store, download any available updates on the CenturyLink app, then try again.
Check to make sure the modem is fully plugged in and getting power.
Use the "Test My Service" link within the app to run a troubleshooter that can check for network issues.
Reboot the modem through the app or by manually unplugging it, waiting a full minute, and plugging it back in.
If rebooting doesn't work, call or chat to have a service agent help you further troubleshoot the issue.

NOTE: Depending on your model, your modem's user interface may appear slightly different from the images below.

1. Connect a device, such as a computer or tablet, to the internet through WiFi or using an Ethernet cable connected to your modem.

2. Open a web browser and type http://192.168.0.1 into the web address field.

Enter the URL for the modem user interface

3. Log in to the modem's settings interface (Modem GUI) using your Admin Username and Admin Password. Note that these are different from your wireless network name (SSID) and WiFi password (security key).

Find the Admin Username & Password on the modem sticker

Admin Password and WiFi Password: What's the difference?

Log into the modem interface with the Administrator Username and Password

4. Select the Wireless Setup icon in the main menu.

5. If given a choice, select 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. If you have both WiFi frequencies enabled, you should repeat steps 5-10 to change the WiFi password for both networks (you may use the same password for both if you want). Don't worry if you don't see the frequency options, as not all modems have this feature.

screenshot of modem settings showing 5 GHz selected

6. Select "Wireless Security" in the menu on the left.

screenshot of modem settings showing Wireless Security in the menu

7. Select the name of your wireless network (SSID). You can find the SSID printed on the modem sticker.

screenshot of modem settings showing SSID

How to Set a Custom WiFi Network Name (SSID)

8. Your Security Type is printed on the modem's sticker.
The Encryption Type should be set to "Both."
If prompted to give the Authentication Type, choose "Open."

screenshot of modem settings showing security options

screenshot of modem settings showing "both" as encryption type

9. To change your password, select "Use Custom Security Key/Passphrase" and type in your new password.

screenshot of modem settings showing new password entry

10. Select "Apply" to save your changes, and you're done! Remember, you'll need to enter this new password on all of your devices to reconnect to your wireless network.

screenshot of modem settings showing "Apply" to save password

Password tips

If you are prompted to choose 64 bits or 128 bits, follow these guidelines:

64 bits: Enter 10 characters*
128 bits: Enter 26 characters*
* Characters can only contain letters between A-F and numbers between 0-9 with no spaces.

In all other cases, your custom password must:

Be between 8 and 63 characters long
Contain at least one number from 0 to 9
Contain at least one letter from A to Z
Note: The space character can be used (but is not required)

Helpful hint: If you lose or forget your password, you can always log back in to the Wireless Security menu and choose "Use Default" for the password. This will change it back to the original one printed on the modem sticker.