Wi‑Fi password doesn’t work in Windows 10 — this usually means Windows can see the network but fails to authenticate. Causes range from simple typos to driver or router security mismatches. In this article you’ll learn the nine most common reasons Windows 10 refuses a Wi‑Fi password and step‑by‑step fixes to get you back online.
Key Takeaway
Most “password not accepted” problems are either typing/credential issues or a mismatch between Windows and the router; start by verifying the password and forgetting/re‑adding the network, then move to driver, service, or router settings if the basic steps fail.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Typo or wrong password | Re‑type password carefully and reveal characters or verify on the router. |
| 2. Connecting to the wrong SSID (same name nearby) | Confirm SSID and MAC address on your router, then choose the correct network. |
| 3. Caps Lock / keyboard layout wrong | Toggle Caps Lock and Win + Space (keyboard layout) and re‑enter password. |
| 4. Corrupted or outdated saved Wi‑Fi profile | Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Manage known networks → Forget, then reconnect. |
| 5. Wireless adapter driver problems | Update or reinstall adapter via Device Manager or download driver from manufacturer. |
| 6. Encryption/security mismatch (WPA3 vs WPA2) | Change router security to WPA2‑PSK (AES) or enable compatibility mode. |
| 7. Router MAC filtering or access control enabled | Disable MAC filtering or add your PC’s MAC in router admin. |
| 8. IP/DHCP conflicts or no IP assigned | Run ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, or use netsh resets. |
| 9. Windows services or system/blocking software | Ensure WLAN AutoConfig is running and temporarily disable firewall/AV or airplane mode. |
Detailed Fixes for “Wi‑Fi password doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Typo or wrong password
Why it causes the problem:
- The simplest reason: the characters you type don’t match the password stored on the router. Hidden input and similar characters (O vs 0, l vs 1) make this common.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Verify the router password on the router label or the router’s admin page (login via http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 — check router manual).
- On Windows, when you type the password into the Wi‑Fi dialog, click the eye icon (if shown) to reveal characters. If no eye icon: open the router admin to view/copy the password.
- Re‑enter carefully, checking for spaces at start/end.
- If unsure, change the Wi‑Fi password temporarily in router settings to a simple known password, reconnect, then change it back.
Note: If your router’s password label has been changed by your ISP, use the ISP’s documentation or admin panel.
2. Connecting to the wrong SSID (same name nearby)
Why it causes the problem:
- Multiple networks nearby can share an SSID (network name) — your PC may try to connect to a different device with the same name that has a different password.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Show available networks.
- Click Properties for the network and note the BSSID or check the router’s MAC address (router admin).
- On your router admin, note the wireless MAC address. If they differ, select the correct network in the list (or change your home SSID to a unique name).
- To avoid future issues, rename your home Wi‑Fi to something unique: Router admin > Wireless > SSID.
Tip: Changing SSID will require reconnecting all devices.
3. Caps Lock / keyboard layout wrong
Why it causes the problem:
- Passwords are case‑sensitive; different keyboard layouts can map keys differently (e.g., QWERTY vs AZERTY).
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Check Caps Lock is off or on as needed.
- Press Win + Space to cycle keyboard layouts; confirm the layout shown on the taskbar is correct.
- Re‑type the password; if you can, type the password into Notepad to verify characters then copy/paste into the Wi‑Fi dialog.
- If using a remote keyboard (Bluetooth), ensure it’s connected and using the correct layout.
Tip: For laptops with language toggles, remove extra keyboard layouts in Settings > Time & Language > Language.
4. Corrupted or outdated saved Wi‑Fi profile
Why it causes the problem:
- Windows stores network profiles; when the router changes settings (SSID, encryption), the saved profile can conflict and block authentication.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Manage known networks.
- Select the problem network and click Forget.
- Reboot your PC (optional but helpful).
- Reconnect to the network by selecting it in the Wi‑Fi list and entering the password anew.
Advanced: To view saved profiles and passwords, open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:
- netsh wlan show profiles
- netsh wlan show profile name=”ProfileName” key=clear (shows saved password in Key Content)
Note: Use profile removal if you recently changed router security or SSID.
5. Wireless adapter driver problems
Why it causes the problem:
- A bad or outdated driver can mishandle authentication, drop connections, or be incompatible with router security.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Device Manager (right‑click Start > Device Manager).
- Expand Network adapters, right‑click your wireless adapter → Properties to confirm driver status.
- Click Update driver → Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If automatic search fails, download the latest driver from the laptop or adapter manufacturer site using another device and install it.
- If update doesn’t help, in Device Manager right‑click adapter → Uninstall device (check Delete the driver software for this device if you will reinstall). Reboot Windows — it should reinstall the adapter automatically.
- If issues persist, try a USB Wi‑Fi adapter to rule out hardware failure.
Tip: Some driver updates from Windows Update are not ideal — prefer drivers from the manufacturer for stability.
6. Encryption/security mismatch (WPA3 vs WPA2)
Why it causes the problem:
- Older adapters or drivers may not support newer encryption like WPA3, causing authentication failure.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Log in to your router admin (http://192.168.0.1 or as provided by ISP).
- Navigate to Wireless > Security or similar.
- If set to WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed, change to WPA2‑PSK (AES) for best compatibility.
- Save settings, reboot the router, then reconnect from Windows and enter the password.
Note: If you need WPA3 for other devices, check for adapter firmware or driver updates that add WPA3 support.
7. Router MAC filtering or access control enabled
Why it causes the problem:
- Some routers block unknown devices using MAC filtering or whitelist only certain MAC addresses.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Find your PC’s MAC address: open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /all; note Physical Address under the wireless adapter.
- Log into router admin and go to Wireless > MAC Filtering (or Access Control).
- If MAC filtering is enabled, either add your PC’s MAC to the allowed list or disable MAC filtering temporarily.
- Save and reboot the router.
Tip: MAC addresses can be spoofed but this is a quick way to allow trusted devices.
8. IP/DHCP conflicts or no IP assigned
Why it causes the problem:
- If your PC doesn’t receive a valid IP from the router, authentication may succeed but connectivity fails, or the router may reject the device when IP conflicts occur.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Command Prompt (Admin).
- Run the following commands in order:
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /flushdns
- ipconfig /renew
- If that doesn’t help, run network stack resets:
- netsh winsock reset
- netsh int ip reset
- Reboot your PC and check connection.
Advanced: Check IP assignment in Settings > Network & Internet > Status > View hardware and connection properties; ensure IPv4 has a valid address (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
9. Windows services, airplane mode, or security software blocking
Why it causes the problem:
- Required services like WLAN AutoConfig must run for Wi‑Fi to work; airplane mode or third‑party firewall/antivirus can prevent connection or block authentication.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Ensure airplane mode is off: Action Center (click notification icon) → toggle Airplane mode off.
- Verify WLAN service: press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter. Find WLAN AutoConfig, ensure Startup type is Automatic and service is Running; if not, right‑click → Start.
- Temporarily disable third‑party firewall/antivirus and try to connect. If connection works, reconfigure the security software or add an exception.
- Run Windows network troubleshooter: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter and follow prompts.
Note: Re‑enable security software after testing and adjust settings rather than leaving it off.
Additional Tips and When to Seek Help
- Network Reset: If multiple fixes fail, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset — this restores network components to defaults (you’ll need to reconnect to Wi‑Fi networks).
- Router reboot and firmware: Reboot router and check for firmware updates in router admin; outdated firmware can cause authentication quirks.
- Use a mobile hotspot: Test connecting your PC to a phone hotspot — if it works, the router is likely the problem.
- Factory reset router only as last resort: Locate the reset button, hold ~10 seconds; this erases all settings. Back up router config first.
- When to contact ISP: If your router was provided/configured by ISP or if router firmware is managed by them, contact support before resetting.
FAQ
Q: Can I view the Wi‑Fi password if I’m already connected on Windows 10?
A: Yes — open Command Prompt (Admin) and run netsh wlan show profile name=”ProfileName” key=clear; look for Key Content which shows the password.
Q: Could a recent Windows update break Wi‑Fi authentication?
A: Occasionally updates change network drivers or settings. Try rolling back the network driver in Device Manager or uninstalling the recent update via Settings > Update & Security > View update history.
Q: Do VPNs interfere with connecting to Wi‑Fi?
A: A VPN normally does not prevent Wi‑Fi authentication, but some VPN clients install virtual adapters that can complicate network routing. Temporarily disable the VPN client while troubleshooting.
Q: How can I prevent this from happening again?
A: Keep router firmware and PC drivers updated, use a unique SSID, avoid frequent security mode changes, and store your Wi‑Fi password safely (password manager).
Q: Is it safe to disable MAC filtering or change security modes?
A: Disabling MAC filtering lowers security slightly; instead, use WPA2‑PSK (AES) with a strong password. If you change security modes, ensure all devices support the selected mode.
Conclusion
Most cases of Wi‑Fi password doesn’t work in Windows 10 come down to typing mistakes, profile mismatches, or compatibility between the router and the wireless adapter; methodically verify the password, forget and re‑add the network, update drivers, and check router security to resolve the issue. If basic fixes fail, use network resets and router checks, and contact your ISP or hardware vendor for persistent problems.
