How to Find Your WPA Key

The WPA key is an essential setting on Wi-Fi wireless home networks. The same key value must be entered on the router as well as all devices connected. Because the key sequence of numbers and letters can be long, it's fairly common to mistype the value or simply forget what it is.

To find the WPA key being used on a wireless network, log into the router as an administrator and look up the key value from the appropriate console screen (via a Security or Wireless menu). Because a device cannot authenticate with the router unless it already has the correct key, connect a computer to the router via Ethernet cable and get the WPA key that way if necessary.