Wi-Fi password isn't working even though it's correct

Symptoms

• Device says 'incorrect password' despite entering it carefully
• Password worked before and now suddenly doesn't
• Other devices connect fine with the same password
• Retyping the password multiple times still fails

Likely causes

• CommonMistyped characters that look similarCharacters like 0/O, 1/l/I, or trailing spaces are easy to mistype, especially on small phone keyboards.
• CommonPassword was recently changed on the routerIf someone updated the network password, old saved copies elsewhere will no longer work.
• PossibleCaps lock or autocorrect interferenceAutocapitalization or autocorrect on a phone keyboard can silently alter the entered password.
• PossibleSecurity protocol mismatch (e.g., WPA3-only network with an older device)Older devices may not support newer Wi-Fi security standards and fail even with the right password.

What to do

1. Turn on 'show password' while typing if the option is available, to visually verify every character.
2. Disable autocorrect or predictive text temporarily and retype the password slowly, checking for accidental capital letters.
3. Confirm the password directly from the router's admin page or app rather than from memory or an old note.
4. If you recently changed the Wi-Fi password, wait a minute and try again, since some devices need the change to fully propagate.
5. Check the router's wireless security setting; if it's set to WPA3 only, try switching to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode to support older devices.
6. Restart the device trying to connect, since a stuck Wi-Fi process can cause repeated rejected password errors.
7. As a last resort, forget the network on the device and rejoin it fresh with the password typed carefully.

When to call a pro

Not usually needed for this issue.

Safety