This will depend mostly on what make/model router you have. Many newer routers have the factory settings printed on them somewhere. If that is not the case or the settings have been changed you may have to factory reset the device and configure a new password.
If you have a wireless Windows 7 computer open the Network and Sharing Center on the wireless computer then select Manage wireless networks and look at the properties of your home wireless network, ie. highlight then right click on your home network and select Properties. Click on the Security tab and check the Show characters checkbox.
Some routers also display the wireless key in plain text. If you login to the router admin pages you might be able to see it. Check the user’s manual or manufacturers support web pages for further help.
Otherwise, and as noted by Chris, you may need to reset the router back to the factory defaults and reconfigure the encryption type and password/pass phrase/key. You would then need to reconfigure all of your wireless clients, tablets, phones, etc...
Make any changes using an Ethernet cable between your desktop/laptop. That way you can easily recover if you make a mistake...
Please make sure to DOCUMENT any and all changes.
I forgot to add that you can also use the "netsh wlan show" command from a command line prompt to see the wireless key on a Windows 8 or 7 computer connected to your home WiFi network. An example is:
1. Open a command prompt window.
2. Type the command "netsh wlan show profile name=YourWirelessNetworkName key=clear"
Example:
netsh wlan show profile name=Sooner key=clear
Note you might have to be an administrator on some computers to do this...
ChrisL
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SoonerAl
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SoonerAl
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115 Messages
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SoonerAl
Contributor II
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