How to Turn Wi-Fi Router SSID Broadcasting On or Off
Disabling SSID broadcasting hides your Wi-Fi network name from ordinary network searches. This guide explains how to change the setting and notes the limitations of hiding an SSID.
A Wi-Fi router lets multiple devices share one internet connection without a direct Ethernet connection, but nearby users, including neighbors, can discover its network. Disabling SSID broadcasting offers an additional security measure alongside a Router Firewall, though it does not make the network undetectable.
What does hiding the SSID do?
SSID stands for Service Set Identifier: the name of your Wi-Fi network. If you name it “TheWindowsClub”, that is the name computers and mobile devices normally display when searching for nearby connections.
Turning off SSID broadcasting removes that name from ordinary search results, even for devices close to the router. However, you will need to enable broadcasting to connect a mobile or another device that is not already connected. A computer connected directly to the router through an Ethernet port does not require broadcasting to be enabled.
Change the SSID broadcast setting
Most modern Wi-Fi routers offer this setting. If yours does not appear to have it, check that the router is running the latest firmware version. The source guide was tested on a TP-Link Wi-Fi router; almost all manufacturers offer the feature, although menu names can differ.
- Connect your computer or mobile device to the Wi-Fi router, then open its control panel using the router’s IP address. For NetGear, TP-Link and other routers, this may be 192.168.0.1; the address varies by manufacturer.
- Log in and look for Wireless on the left. Your router may instead use a label such as Settings or Wireless Settings. Under Wireless, open Wireless Settings.
- Find Enable SSID Broadcast, shown in the middle of the screen in this example. It should be selected by default.
- Clear the checkbox and save the change to disable broadcasting.
- Restart the router if prompted.
- Search for nearby networks on your mobile device or PC to confirm that the router’s name no longer appears.
To restore SSID broadcasting, return to the same setting and select Enable SSID Broadcast again.
A hidden network is still detectable
Some devices may detect the network’s presence without identifying it by name. A hidden SSID can also be uncovered, so hiding the name does not prevent someone determined to discover it.
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