When friends or family visit, they usually ask for your Wi-Fi password. Sharing it is fine, but there is a smarter option: a guest network. It lets visitors get online without giving them access to your main network — which means your computers, printers, and smart home devices stay private.
Why a Guest Network Is Worth Setting Up
- Visitors cannot accidentally — or intentionally — access your shared files, printers, or smart home devices.
- If a visitor’s device is infected with malware, it cannot spread to your main devices.
- You can give the guest network a completely different password that you change whenever you like, without affecting your own devices.
Does Your Router Support Guest Networks?
Most routers made in the last several years support guest networks. Look at the box your router came in or check the brand name on the router itself. Common brands like TP-Link, Netgear, ASUS, BT, and Sky all support this feature on most of their home models.
How to Set One Up
The exact steps vary slightly by router brand, but the general process is the same:
- Log in to your router. Open a web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. You can find the exact address on a sticker on the back of your router. Once you type the address, the router’s login page should appear.
- Enter your router’s username and password. These are usually printed on the router’s sticker. This is the login for the router’s settings page, and it is different from your Wi-Fi password. Log in with the printed details, then change the router’s admin password from the default straight away. Never leave it as admin or the password printed on the router. Choose a unique password and keep it somewhere safe, such as a password manager.
- Find the Guest Network or Guest Wi-Fi section. This is often under Wireless settings or Advanced settings. If your router has this option, you should see the settings for turning the guest network on.
- Enable the guest network and give it a name (something like “Visitors” or your street name) and a strong password.
- Make sure “Access to local network” is turned off. This is the setting that keeps guests on the internet but away from your other devices.
- Save your settings. The network will appear straight away.
What If Your Router Does Not Have This Option?
If you cannot find a guest network option, your router may not support it, or the feature may be hidden in a sub-menu. Check the make and model printed on your router, then search online for those details together with the words “guest network setup”. Look for step-by-step instructions for your device in the results.
Alternatively, your internet provider may offer a router upgrade or have a guided setup tool in their app.
If you cannot log in to the router, or the settings you need are not there, stop and contact your internet provider’s helpline. They can tell you what your router supports. The router maker’s support page is another place to check.
Tips for Your Guest Network
- Use a different password to your main network and write it on a small card or sticky note somewhere guests can see it — near the router or on the fridge.
- Change the guest password every few months if you have had a lot of visitors.
- You can turn the guest network off when you are not expecting visitors, and turn it back on when you need it.
- Some routers let you set a bandwidth limit (a cap on how much of your connection guests can use) for the guest network, so visitors do not slow down your own connection.
Setting up a guest network takes about ten minutes and is one of the most practical things you can do to keep your home network secure without inconveniencing anyone.
Last updated: October 9, 2026