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Fix a Wi‑Fi that asks for password repeatedly

We'll confirm the password, forget and re-add the network, check WPA settings, and power-cycle—so the device connects without repeated prompts or we tell you when to escalate.

Troubleshooting · Wi‑Fi & networking
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Router and affected device
  • Wi‑Fi password (from router sticker or admin)
  • Access to router admin (optional; 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
Step 1 of 7

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the password, clear cached keys, and check WPA settings so the device connects without repeated prompts.

  • Check the router sticker or router admin for the Wi‑Fi password. Verify caps lock is off and there are no extra spaces. Use the Wi‑Fi password, not the router admin password.
  • Good: Password is correct. Proceed to Forget and reconnect.
  • Bad: Wrong password—get the correct one from the router and re-enter.

Forget and reconnect

Goal: Clear a cached bad key by removing and re-adding the network.

  • On the device, go to Wi‑Fi settings and forget (remove) the network. Reconnect and enter the password again.
  • Good: The device connects and stays connected. You are done.
  • Bad: Still asks for the password—proceed to Check router security (WPA).

Check router security (WPA)

Goal: Confirm the router uses WPA2 or WPA3 so the device can authenticate properly.

  • Log into the router at http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1. Go to Wireless or Wi‑Fi settings. Confirm the security is WPA2-PSK or WPA3. If it is WPA (legacy) or mixed, change it to WPA2 or WPA3. Save.
  • Good: WPA2 or WPA3 is set. Forget the network again, reconnect, and retry.
  • Bad: Cannot change or still asks—power-cycle the router and device. If it still fails, see When to get help.

Power-cycle and retry

Goal: Clear stuck state on the router and device.

  • Unplug the router for 60 seconds and plug it back in. Restart the device. Forget the network, reconnect, and enter the password.
  • Good: The device connects. You are done.
  • Bad: Still asks—try another device. If no device connects, the issue may be the router. Reset device network settings or escalate.

When to get help

If the device still asks for the password after forget, WPA check, and power-cycle, contact your ISP or the device manufacturer. Provide: router model, device model, security type (WPA2/WPA3), and what you tried.

Verification

  • The device connects to Wi‑Fi and does not prompt for the password again.
  • The connection stays stable for at least 10 minutes of normal use.
  • No repeated “incorrect password” or authentication errors.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm password Verify the exact password from the router; check caps lock and spaces.
  2. Forget and reconnect Remove the network from the device and re-add with the correct password.
  3. Check WPA Router should use WPA2 or WPA3; avoid WPA legacy.
  4. Power-cycle and reset Power-cycle router and device; reset device network settings if needed.
  5. Escalate Contact ISP or device manufacturer with router model, device model, and steps tried.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Router model and firmware version
  • Device model and OS version
  • Router security type (WPA2, WPA3)
  • Steps already tried

Is the password definitely correct?

Check the router sticker or admin. No caps lock, no extra spaces. Wi‑Fi password, not router admin password.

Verify the password from the router. Good: password is correct. Bad: wrong password—get the correct one and re-enter.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Get the correct password

Check the router sticker or log into the router at 192.168.1.1. Under Wireless settings, view or reset the Wi‑Fi password. Re-enter it on the device with caps lock off and no extra spaces.

Done

Forget the network and reconnect

A cached bad key can cause repeated prompts.

On the device, forget (remove) the Wi‑Fi network. Reconnect and enter the password. Good: device connects. Bad: still asks—check WPA settings on the router.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does the router use WPA2 or WPA3?

WPA legacy or mixed modes can cause repeated prompts.

Log into the router. Go to Wireless settings. Set security to WPA2-PSK or WPA3. Save. Good: WPA2 or WPA3 set—retry connect. Bad: cannot change or still fails—power-cycle router and device, then escalate.

Yes No or still fails

You can change your answer later.

Retry connection

Forget the network again, reconnect with the correct password. If it still asks, power-cycle the router and device. Reset device network settings if needed.

Done

Connected

The device connects without repeated prompts. You are done.

Done

Escalate

Contact your ISP or the device manufacturer. Provide router model, device model, security type, and what you tried (forget network, WPA check, power-cycle).

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does my Wi‑Fi keep asking for the password?
Common causes are a wrong password (typo, caps lock, extra space), a cached bad key on the device, or a WPA/security mismatch between the router and device. Forget the network, re-enter the password carefully, and check that the router uses WPA2 or WPA3.
What if I forget the Wi‑Fi password?
Check the sticker on the router for the default password. If it was changed, log into the router at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 and view or reset the Wi‑Fi password under Wireless settings.
Should I change my router security from WPA to WPA2?
Yes. WPA (legacy) can cause repeated password prompts on newer devices. Use WPA2 or WPA3 for better compatibility. Log into the router and set Wireless security to WPA2-PSK or WPA3.

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