8 Solutions to Fix Wi-Fi Password Issues on Windows PC

Are you having trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi network on your Windows PC? You've entered the password correctly, but it still doesn't work. Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common problem that many people face. There could be several reasons why the Wi-Fi password is not working on your Windows PC, such as glitches, caps lock, drivers, or MAC address issues. In this article, we will explore eight effective solutions to fix Wi-Fi password problems on Windows.

1. Check for Common Mistakes

Before diving into complex solutions, let's start with some common mistakes that users often make. Here are a few things you should check:

• Make sure the caps lock is not enabled. Some laptops don't have a visible indicator for caps lock, so it's easy to overlook.
• Double-check the password by copy-pasting it instead of typing manually. This eliminates the chance of typos.
• Confirm with the admin, friend, or host if the password has been changed recently for security reasons.
• Connect your Windows PC to a different Wi-Fi network or a mobile hotspot to check if the issue is specific to your PC or network configuration.
• Test the Wi-Fi password on another device like a phone or another PC to ensure it's correct.

2. Run Network and Network Adapter Troubleshooters

Windows provides built-in troubleshooting tools that can help resolve common network-related problems. Follow these steps to run the troubleshooters:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu.
2. Use the search bar in the top-left corner to find and open “Find and fix network problems”.
3. In the pop-up window, click on “Advanced”.
4. Make sure “Apply repairs automatically” is selected and click on “Next”.
5. Let the troubleshooter run and see if it resolves the Wi-Fi password issue.
6. If the problem persists, go back to Settings and search for “Find and fix problems with your network adapter”. Run the troubleshooter again.

3. Reset Wi-Fi Password or Ask the Admin

If you're facing Wi-Fi password issues on your personal or home network, you can try resetting the password yourself. However, if you're using a shared network, it's best to contact the admin to avoid causing any disruptions. Here's how you can reset the Wi-Fi password:

1. Open a web browser and enter the IP address of your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Sign in to the router's settings page using the default username and password (usually “admin”).
3. Look for the Wi-Fi or WPA password settings and either change the password or verify the existing one.
4. Reboot your router to apply the changes.

4. Update or Reinstall Network Adapter Drivers

Network adapter drivers play a crucial role in connecting your PC to Wi-Fi networks. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues with password authentication. Follow these steps to update or reinstall the network adapter drivers:

1. Search for “Device Manager” in the Start menu and open it.
2. Expand the “Network adapters” category and locate your Wi-Fi adapter.
3. Right-click on the adapter, select “Update driver”, and follow the prompts.
4. If the issue persists, go back to the adapter's properties and under the “Driver” tab, you can rollback or update the driver.
5. Close the Device Manager, reboot your PC, and check if the Wi-Fi password works now.

5. Forget Network

Sometimes, Windows saves Wi-Fi networks to facilitate automatic connections. However, this can sometimes cause issues. Forgetting the network and reconnecting can help resolve the problem. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu.
2. Select “Network & internet” from the left sidebar and click on “Wi-Fi”.
3. Click on “Manage Known Networks”.
4. Find the Wi-Fi network causing issues and click on “Forget”.
5. Reboot your router, search for the Wi-Fi network again, and enter the password to reconnect.

6. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings can help resolve more complex Wi-Fi password issues. Keep in mind that this will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks on your PC, so you'll need to re-add them. Here's how to reset network settings:

1. Open Windows Settings (Windows key + I) and go to “Network & internet > Advanced network settings”.
2. Click on “Network reset”.
3. Click on “Reset now”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and reboot your PC.

7. Reset Firewall and Flush DNS

Firewalls can sometimes block Wi-Fi connections mistakenly. To fix this issue, you can reset the firewall and flush DNS. Here's how:

1. Search for “CMD” in the Start menu, right-click on “Command Prompt”, and select “Run as administrator”.
2. Run the following commands one at a time, allowing each command to finish before entering the next:
   • netsh int ip reset
   • netsh advfirewall reset
   • netsh winsock reset
   • ipconfig /flushdns
   • ipconfig /release
   • ipconfig /renew
3. Close the Command Prompt, reboot your PC, and check if the Wi-Fi password is now working.

8. Check MAC Address

If you're trying to connect to a network that requires MAC address authentication, you'll need to add your PC's MAC address to the router. Here's how:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following command: ipconfig /all
2. Look for the physical address or MAC address in the list.
3. Contact the admin of the network, such as a hostel or resort, and provide them with your MAC address.

By following these solutions, you should be able to fix Wi-Fi password issues on your Windows PC. Remember to double-check your password, update drivers, reset network settings, and troubleshoot any firewall or MAC address-related problems.