How to Find the SSID on a Computer

This wikiHow teaches you how to see a wifi network's service set identifier (SSID), which is simply the name of the network your computer is connected to. If you are connected to a wireless network, the SSID is the name of the Wi-Fi network you are connected to. Seeing a network's SSID is as simple as opening your computer's Wi-Fi settings and looking at the network's name.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
On Windows

  1. Image titled Find the SSID on a Computer Step 1
    1
    Click
    Image titled Windowswifi.png
    .     Doing this will open a window with wireless networks around you.
    • You may first have to click ^ to view the Wi-Fi icon.
    • If you see an "x" next to the Wi-Fi icon, click it, then click Wi-Fi Off to turn Wi-Fi back on.
  2. Image titled Find the SSID on a Computer Step 2
    2
    Find your current network's name. The network you're connected to will appear at the top of the pop-up window. You'll see "Connected" beneath its name.
  3. Image titled Find the SSID on a Computer Step 3
    3
    Review the other available network SSIDs. You'll see a list of network names in the pop-up window; each of these names is a specific network's SSID.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
On Mac

  1. Image titled Find the SSID on a Computer Step 4
    1
    Click
    Image titled Macwifi.png
    .     It's in the upper-right corner of the Mac's screen.
  2. Image titled Find the SSID on a Computer Step 5
    2
    Look for your network's name. It's the name with a ✓ to the left of it. The name you see here is your network's current SSID.
  3. Image titled Find the SSID on a Computer Step 6
    3
    Review the other available networks. Any network names you see here are the SSIDs of other networks near you.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I find my SSID on my HP PC?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    HP is a brand. You're most likely running a Windows OS. Thus, please refer to method 1 of this article, "Finding Available SSIDs in Windows."
  • Question
    How do I connect my tablet to the Internet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Visit your settings folder, then look for a section called "WiFi" or "Internet." Tap on that heading to reveal WiFi hotspots near you. Tap the name of the network to which you wish to connect and enter the password, if necessary, to connect to the Internet.
  • Question
    How do I find my SSID on my Samsung smart phone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. There you will find all the available SSIDs of the Wi-Fi networks around you, and the SSID of the network to which you are currently connected.
  • Question
    How can I find my SSID using an Android tablet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Go to settings > wifi. There you will find all the available SSIDs of the Wi-Fi networks around you, and the SSID of the network to which you are currently connected.
  • Question
    How do I find Wi-Fi hotspots?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Many public spaces have WiFi hotspots. Try going to a shopping mall, a McDonald's, a cafe, or a university near you.
  • Question
    How would I find the correct SSID for my computer and new modem?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Usually the provider of the new modem has placed a sticker on the back of the modem with the SSID numbers and password that will allow you to add them to your computer.
  • Question
    How do I find the SSID on my Dell computer?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Dell is a brand of computer, not operating system. Your computer is most likely running Windows, just refer to the first part of this article.

Warnings

You Might Also Like

See Who Is Connected to Your Wireless Network
How to
See Who Is Connected to Your Wireless Network
Connect a Router to a Modem
How to
Connect a Router to a Modem
Connect Your PC to Your TV Wirelessly
How to
Connect Your PC to Your TV Wirelessly
Set Up a Wireless Router
How to
Set Up a Wireless Router
Add a Password to Your Wireless Internet Connection (WiFi)
How to
Add a Password to Your Wireless Internet Connection (WiFi)
Set up a Wireless Network (WiFi) Connection
How to
Set up a Wireless Network (WiFi) Connection
Jam a Network
How to
Jam a Network
Change the Name of a Wireless Network
How to
Change the Name of a Wireless Network
Reset Your Router Password
How to
Reset Your Router Password
Create a WiFi Hotspot Using the Command Prompt
How to
Create a WiFi Hotspot Using the Command Prompt
How to
Set up Your Laptop to Print Wirelessly
Make a Printer Wireless With a Wireless Router
How to
Make a Printer Wireless With a Wireless Router
Install Canon Wireless Printer
How to
Install Canon Wireless Printer
Create a Hotspot in Windows 10
How to
Create a Hotspot in Windows 10

About This Article

JL
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 878,217 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 18
Updated: April 20, 2021
Views: 878,217
Categories: Wireless Networking
Article SummaryX

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon.
2. View the available network names (SSIDs).

Did this summary help you?