Change your network name and password through the Xfinity app or web portal

You can change both your WiFi network name (called the SSID) and password from your phone, computer, or the Xfinity gateway itself. The fastest route is the Xfinity app if you have it installed — it takes about three minutes. If you do not have the app, you can log into your account at xfinity.com and reach the same settings. The gateway's physical buttons are a backup option if you cannot access either, but they reset everything rather than letting you choose a new name.

Your network name is what appears in the list of available WiFi networks on your devices. Your password is what you type to connect. Changing both regularly, especially the password, makes it harder for someone outside your home to access your network. Xfinity lets you change them as often as you want with no waiting period or fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The Xfinity app is the quickest way to change your network name and password — both changes take effect within a few minutes.
  • You can also change them through xfinity.com by logging in with your account username and password, then navigating to WiFi settings.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • All devices connected to your WiFi will lose connection when you change the password and will need to reconnect using the new one.
  • If you forget your new password, you can reset it the same way you changed it — through the app or website.

Change your WiFi name and password using the Xfinity app

Open the Xfinity app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Internet, then look for the section labeled WiFi or WiFi Settings. You should see your current network name listed there.

Tap on your network name. You will see two fields: one for the network name and one for the password. Change the network name to whatever you want — it can be up to 32 characters and can include spaces, letters, and numbers. Do not use special characters like @ or # in the name itself, as some devices have trouble connecting to networks with those symbols.

In the password field, delete the old password and type a new one. Your password must be at least 8 characters long. You can use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or $. Write down your new password somewhere safe before you save it — you will need it to reconnect your devices.

Tap Save or explore (the button name varies by app version). The app will confirm the change. Your gateway will restart the WiFi network, which usually takes two to five minutes. During this time, all devices will disconnect. Once the network comes back, you can reconnect using your new name and password.

Change your WiFi name and password through xfinity.com

Go to xfinity.com and log in with your Xfinity account username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled Internet, Services, or My Account — the exact label depends on your account type and which version of the website you see.

Find the option for WiFi Settings or Manage WiFi. Click on it. You should see your current network name and a button or link to change it. Click that button. Type your new network name in the field that appears, then click Save or Next.

The website will then prompt you to change your password. Delete the current password and type a new one — remember that it must be at least 8 characters. Click Save or explore. The website will confirm the change, and your gateway will restart the WiFi network within a few minutes. All connected devices will disconnect and will need to reconnect with your new password.

What happens to your devices when you change the password

When your password changes, every device connected to your WiFi — phones, computers, tablets, smart TVs, smart speakers, printers — will lose connection. This is normal and expected. You do not need to do anything to your devices during the restart; they will straightforward show that the network is no longer available.

Once your gateway finishes restarting (usually two to five minutes), your network name will reappear in the list of available networks. Open your WiFi settings on each device, select your network name, and type your new password. The device will connect and should work normally. If a device does not reconnect, make sure you are typing the password exactly as you set it — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters.

Smart home devices like thermostats, cameras, or doorbell systems may take longer to reconnect or may require you to open their app and manually enter the new password. Check the device's instructions if it does not reconnect automatically within a few minutes.

Reset your WiFi name and password using the gateway buttons

If you cannot access the Xfinity app or website, you can reset your WiFi settings using the buttons on the gateway itself. Look for a button labeled Reset or WiFi on the back or bottom of your gateway. Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights on the front of the gateway blink or change color.

This action resets your WiFi network to Xfinity's default settings. Your network name will change back to something like "XFINITY" or "XFINITY-[random numbers]", and your password will reset to the one printed on the back of your gateway or on your Xfinity paperwork. You will then need to reconnect all your devices using these default credentials, and then change the name and password again using the app or website.

This method is slower than using the app or website because you have to reconnect everything twice. Use it only if you truly cannot access the app or website.

Troubleshoot if your devices will not reconnect

If a device connects to your old network name even after you have changed it, the device is remembering the old network. Go into that device's WiFi settings, find your old network name in the list of saved networks, and choose Forget or Remove. Then search for your new network name and connect to it with your new password.

If you type your new password and the device says it is incorrect, double-check that you are typing it exactly as you set it. Passwords are case-sensitive — if you set your password as "MyPassword123", typing "mypassword123" will not work. If you are still stuck, you can change your password again through the app or website and try a simpler one without capital letters or symbols to rule out a typing error.

If your gateway does not restart or your new network name does not appear after 10 minutes, unplug the gateway from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait another five minutes for it to fully restart. If the problem continues, contact Xfinity support — there may be an issue with your account or gateway that requires their help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my WiFi name without changing my password?

Yes. In the Xfinity app or website, you can change just the network name and leave the password as it is, or change just the password and keep the same network name. You do not have to change both at the same time. If you change only the name, devices will still be connected but may show a brief disconnection while the gateway updates.

What if I forget my new password after I change it?

You can change it again using the Xfinity app or website — you do not need to know the old password to set a new one. Log in to your account, go to WiFi settings, and set a new password just as you did the first time. Write it down somewhere safe this time so you have it when you need it.

Will changing my WiFi password affect my internet speed?

No. Your internet speed is determined by your Xfinity service plan and the connection between your gateway and Xfinity's network. Changing your WiFi name or password does not change either of those things. If your speed seems slower after the change, it is likely a coincidence — restart your gateway or move closer to it to see if that helps.

Do I need to change my WiFi password regularly?

There is no rule that says you must, but changing it every few months makes it harder for someone to guess or intercept it. At minimum, change it if you have had guests on your network, if you suspect someone has your password, or if you have not changed it in over a year. The process takes only a few minutes.

Can I use the same WiFi name and password on multiple Xfinity gateways?

If you have more than one gateway in your home, you can set them to use the same network name and password so devices can switch between them seamlessly. However, each gateway is changed separately through the app or website. You will need to change the settings on each one individually.