How to Find a Lost WEP Key

Wireless routers use WEP keys to protect themselves from possible intrusions.

To prevent infiltration by other computers, wireless networks implement WEP, or Wired Equivalent Privacy, authentication for security. If you want to reset or find your WEP key, use a computer hooked up to your router through an Ethernet cable. You need your router's operating manual to help you get certain information before beginning this process.

Things You'll Need

• Router with an operating manual

Instructions

1. Look around your router to see if you can find the default-configuration Internet protocol address. The IP address consists of four one- to three-digit numbers separated by dots. You can often find this number on the bottom of your router. If you can't find this number, look in your operating manual.

2. Start up your computer and open your browser. Write down the IP address in the address bar and press "Enter" or "Return" on your keyboard.

3. Find your user name and password in your operating manual or on the bottom or your router to log in. A log-in prompt should appear by the time you connect to your router's IP address. Write your log-in information onto each field and click "OK" or "Log in."

4. Go to "Wireless Settings," which you can find on the left side navigation column (the left side of the configuration page).

5. Scroll down until you see your WEP key selected by a radio button. Write down this code if you wish.

Tips & Warnings

• If your router doesn't have an operating manual, you can find one easily online. See "Retrevo: Router Manuals" in Resources for a comprehensive list of router manuals you can find online.

• Some routers have a completely different configuration scheme than what these steps describe. If you have trouble following the steps, refer to your manual on how to find wireless settings through your configuration page.

• Acquiring another person's WEP key without his knowledge is a crime. Do not attempt, by any means, to get the security key from someone else without first getting his permission. If someone else set up your network, you can follow these instructions to configure your settings as you wish.

References

• Lirent: What is a WEP Key?

Resources

• Retrevo: Router Manuals