What Is a Network Security Key, and Where Do You Find It?

You click your Wi-Fi network in Windows and it asks for a “network security key”. It sounds like something special, but it isn’t: it is simply your Wi-Fi password. This guide shows where to find it — on the router, on a computer or phone that is already connected — and what to do when Windows won’t accept it.

What a Network Security Key Is

Microsoft uses “network security key” as its name for the Wi-Fi password. Its own help pages say that wireless networks have a network security key to protect them from unauthorized access, and in its setup steps it writes “security key (password)”. TP-Link’s instructions say the same: Windows prompts you for the network security key (password).

Other companies use other names for the same thing — AT&T, for example, calls it the “network key”. Whatever the label, it is the password set on your router for your Wi-Fi network, protected by WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. See WPA2 vs WPA3.

It is not the password for the router’s admin page — that one opens the router’s settings. See change router admin password.

On the Router Label

If nobody has changed it, the key is printed on the router or gateway. Xfinity says the default Wi-Fi information is on the side or bottom of its gateway, and its sticker shows the network name (SSID) and password. TP-Link notes that the label shows only the factory defaults: if the password has been changed, the label won’t reflect it.

If the label doesn’t work, find the key on a device that is already connected (below), or log in to the router and look in its wireless settings — see how to find your Wi-Fi password.

On Windows 11 and Windows 10

According to Microsoft:

• Windows 11: open Settings → Network & internet → Properties for the Wi-Fi network you are connected to, then select Show next to Wi-Fi network password. Older builds of Windows 11 call this “View Wi-Fi security key”. You can also see passwords of saved networks on the Manage known networks page, and Windows 11 can show a QR code another device can scan to join.
• Windows 10: open the Wireless Network Properties for your connection, go to the Security tab and check Show characters. The password appears in the box labeled Network security key.

There is also a command-line way that many IT guides use: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetwork" key=clear in Command Prompt shows the saved key under “Key Content”. Microsoft documents the key=clear option for exporting Wi-Fi profiles.

On a Mac and iPhone

• Mac (macOS 13 or later): Apple’s steps are System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced, then click the More button next to the network name and choose Copy Password. On newer macOS, saved Wi-Fi passwords are also in the Passwords app under Wi-Fi.
• iPhone and iPad: on iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1 and later, go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to the network and tap the Password field. You confirm with your passcode, Face ID or Touch ID.

On Android

Open Wi-Fi settings, tap your network and choose Share. Google’s Android help says the device gives you a QR code that another phone can scan to join, and that some of these steps work only on Android 12 and up.

Windows Says the Key Is Wrong or Asks for a PIN

The key is rejected. Passwords are case-sensitive — TP-Link points out the Wi-Fi password, or network security key, is case-sensitive. Check capitals and similar characters (0 and O, l and I). If the password was changed on the router, Windows may still be using the old saved one. Microsoft’s fix is to go to Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks, select the network, click Forget, and connect again with the new password.

Windows asks for a PIN instead. Some routers support WPS, and Windows may offer a PIN or a button-press connection. TP-Link notes this PIN is different from the Wi-Fi password; choose the option to connect using a security key instead and enter your normal password. If you prefer the button method, press WPS on the router — NETGEAR says WPS stays active for two minutes. See what is WPS on a router.

If the key is right and the connection still fails, see Wi-Fi not working.

What a Good Key Looks Like

A WPA2 or WPA3 Wi-Fi password is 8 to 63 characters long, according to NETGEAR and ASUS; ASUS also accepts a 64-character hexadecimal key. Longer is stronger. A good key:

• is at least 12–16 characters, mixing words, numbers and symbols;
• isn’t your name, address or phone number;
• isn’t used for anything else.

Microsoft recommends WPA3 security if your router and PC support it. To set a new key, see how to change your Wi-Fi password, or create one with our password generator. For the rest of your setup, see how to secure your home network.