To see who is using your Wi-Fi, open your router’s app or administrator page and check its connected, attached, or online devices list. Identify unfamiliar entries before blocking them: a vague device name or randomized MAC address can make your own phone or computer look unknown. If someone may know your Wi-Fi password, change it and reconnect the devices you trust.
How to check which devices are connected to your Wi-Fi
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Connect your phone or computer to your home network, then open the router manufacturer’s app or local administrator interface. The login method varies by router, so use the setup information or official support instructions for your model rather than assuming a universal address or password.
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Find the device list. Depending on the router, it may be called Connected Devices, Attached Devices, or Devices. If the router lists wired and wireless clients separately, check the wireless list for devices using Wi-Fi. NETGEAR describes device lists for supported Nighthawk models in its support documentation.
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Compare the entries with phones, computers, TVs, smart-home devices, printers, and guest devices that should be on your network. Look at any available name, connection type, or address as a clue, not as definitive proof of identity.
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Router menus and the information shown vary by model and firmware. Consult the router maker’s instructions if you cannot find the list or are unsure what an entry represents.
How to tell whether an unfamiliar device is actually unauthorized
An unfamiliar label alone does not prove that someone has joined your network without permission. Router-reported names may be vague or inaccurate, and phones and other devices can use randomized MAC addresses. That can make a familiar device appear under an unexpected name or address, or make it seem like a new entry.
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Check whether a household member owns a device that could match the entry, including smart speakers, streaming devices, and appliances.
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Ask household members and recent guests whether they have connected a device.
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Where practical, compare the list before and after disconnecting or reconnecting one of your own devices. A change can help you identify it, although router displays may not update immediately.
ASUS explains that MAC randomization can affect how connected devices are identified. Its instructions for checking connected-device information are available in the ASUS support center.
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How to block an unwanted device
If an entry remains unidentified and you decide it should not have access, use the router’s own blocking or access-control feature. The precise effect differs: a router may block a device from internet access or control whether it is allowed onto the network. Check the wording and instructions for your model.
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Select the device in the router app or administrator interface and look for an option such as Block, Pause, or Access Control. ASUS documents blocking a selected device through its app or web interface. The exact menus depend on the router model.
Check access-control list behavior
Some routers offer a deny list, which blocks selected devices, or an allow list, which permits only listed devices. TP-Link documents both modes for supported routers in its Access Control guidance. An allow list can require more upkeep: you may need to add each new household device before it can connect.
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Blocking one entry is not a guarantee that the same person can never reconnect. Device addresses may change, and controls work differently across routers. If someone may have your Wi-Fi password, change that password as well instead of relying only on a device block.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and how to change your Wi-Fi password
Change the Wi-Fi password if you believe an unwanted person knows it, or if you have shared it and no longer want that access to continue. Sign in to the router’s app or administrator interface and use the Wi-Fi or wireless settings to set a strong, new password. Follow the model-specific instructions; menu names and available options vary. NETGEAR provides instructions for changing Wi-Fi settings for supported routers in its support center.
After the change, reconnect your own phones, computers, TVs, and smart-home devices using the new password. Devices still configured with the old one will lose their Wi-Fi connection until updated. Share the replacement password only with people and devices you intend to allow.
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Check your Wi-Fi encryption and router credentials
Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption when your router and devices support it, and disable legacy WEP and WPA options. WPA3 may not work with every older device, so check compatibility and the router’s documentation before switching. Security options depend on the router model, age, and firmware; NETGEAR documents how to change the protocol on supported models in its Wi-Fi security guidance.
Also change the router administrator password if it is still set to the factory default. This is separate from the Wi-Fi password: the administrator password controls access to router settings. CISA recommends replacing factory-set router credentials and keeping connected-device software current in its 5 Steps to Protecting Your Digital Home tip sheet.
Do you need a new router?
Usually, no. Start with the router you already have; its app or administrator interface is generally where you can inspect devices and manage access. Consider replacement only if your current router cannot provide supported security options or device controls that meet your needs. Before buying, verify WPA2 or WPA3 support, compatibility with your existing devices, device-list and access-control features, and ongoing firmware support for the exact model, hardware revision, and region. Features can differ even within a product line.
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