How Can I See All Devices Connected To My WiFi

how can i see all devices connected to my wifi

Wi-Fi is the best source of internet connection nowadays, with cellular data being next to it. Not only is Wi-Fi stable, but it can be used on several devices simultaneously.

In a similar situation, you might be struck with a question, i.e., How Can I See All Devices Connected To My Wifi

And in today’s world, we understand every second home has a Wi-Fi connection, if not every home. 

While installing a Wi-Fi connection to your place is not very difficult, ensuring no harmful person has access to it’s difficult.

Because you share essential files and data over the Wi-Fi connection hence, the connected device can have access to some critical and personal information of yours.

So, to answer this question, we have prepared this piece. Read on to find the answer. 

How Can I See All Devices Connected To My WiFi? 

As said above, it’s vital to keep a tab on devices connected to your Wi-Fi. This way, you can be sure that no unknown person has access to your internet connection

Following are some of the ways by which you can check this. 

1. Use GlassWire Pro To See Who Is Connected

Use GlassWire Pro To See Who Is Connected

We always recommend GlassWire to users. The main reason behind this is the quick and easy network view, with help you can check which devices or who is connected to your Wi-Fi connection. 

This is available in the Pro version of the GlassWire. 

Besides being a Firewall, GlassWire also shows graphs representing bandwidth usage. With the help of this, you can check how much bandwidth an application is using and how many applications are connected to the internet connection. 

If an application is making any changes or someone installs a new system driver, you are notified. These are not all the features it offers but the unique and better ones. 

But the best feature among them all, and the main reason why it’s mentioned here, is that you can get alerts every time a new device connects or try to connect with your Wi-Fi connection. 

This can be done by going to the Settings Panel. However, it’s free for essential use; if you want to use the feature mentioned above and many more, you need to get the paid version. And it will cost you around $39 for one PC. 

2. Use Your Router’s Web Interface

Use Your Router’s Web Interface

This is another way you can see all devices connected to your Wi-Fi. Accessing your router’s web interface is the best way to find the information you seek. 

The router holds the most accurate data about the devices connected to it as it’s the host of your Wi-Fi connection. Some routers do not offer any way you can see the list of connected devices, but some offer this feature.

  • Accessing Your Router’s Web Interface

To access your router’s web interface to see all devices connected to the Wi-Fi, follow these steps. 

  • Use the computer’s gateway IP address with the help of the Control Panel if you’re unaware of the IP address. 
  • Other than that, use the Command Prompt window to execute the ipconfig/all command. 
  • Use the IP address in the address bar of your web browser, followed by pressing the Enter key. 
  • After this, you can see the router’s interface. 
  • If nothing happens, then you need to check your router’s documentation. Or you can do a web search to check the web interface and model number to know the issue and process of accessing it. 
  • Performing a search or checking the documents becomes essential if you have set no custom password or passphrase. This is important to find out the default ones for the router model. 
  • Finding The List Of Connected Devices

You have to find the options in your router’s web interface. You must look for the attached devices, connected devices, or DHCP client’s named links or buttons. 

They’ll be somewhere on your Wi-Fi configuration page or some status page. You can save some time as, on most routers, the list of all the connected devices is printed on their main status page.

While on some of the D-Link routers, this list is available in the Status Wireless section. On Netgear routers, this list is on the Attached Devices section in the sidebar.

On Linksys routers, this list is available in the Status, Local Network, and DHCP Clients table. On Comcast Xfinity routers, this list is available in the corresponding device section in the sidebar. 

  • Understanding The List

Sometimes, the routers only provide the list of devices connected via DHCP and do not include the device configured with a static IP configuration. And this is an important thing you need to keep in mind. 

Similar information is displayed on every router. There is a table with the list of all the connected devices, along with their host’s name and MAC addresses.

But if unsatisfied, you can change the hostnames on the device’s operating systems. Then, the hostname will be visible here. 

But there is a little disadvantage, that hostnames of some particular devices can’t be changed. Such as, in the case of an Android’s name, you have to root the device to change the hostname to a more meaningful one. 

  • This List Isn’t Foolproof

There is no doubt that this list is incomplete. Changing hostnames and MAC addresses to spoof other devices are some standard practices by several people. 

And then, it would mean that you can’t connect to the network as any two devices with the same MAC address can’t connect with the connection at the same time. This is because the router blocks the two devices with the same addresses. 

And there is also another possibility to be stealthy; any person can set up a static IP configuration after gaining access to your router. Hence this is not the most reliable and foolproof way to see all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi. 

And in case there is any device you don’t recognize, change the passphrase of your Wi-Fi, and then all of the connected devices will be removed. And to connect again, they have to enter the new passphrase. 

Let’s check the following method to see all devices connected to your Wi-Fi

3. Scan Your Wi-Fi Network With Software On Your Computer

Using the router’s web interface to check the connected devices is considered an ideal way. But this feature is not offered by every router. Therefore, a scanning tool is another way to see all devices connected to your Wi-Fi

Such a scanning tool will scan your Wi-Fi network and provide a list of all the connected devices if any. With this method, you can only see the listed devices currently online. But you cannot see the names or connected devices currently offline. 

Scan Your Wi-Fi Network With Software On Your Computer

Several tools are available for this purpose, but we always recommend NirSoft’s Wireless Network Watcher. This tool is convenient and comes without any nag screens. You don’t have to install this on your device.

To view the active devices on your Wi-Fi network, you have to download and launch the tool.

It will display the device name, MAC addresses, network hardware, and manufacturer. 

Particularly for the Android device, it’s beneficial to know the manufacturer device, as with that, you can know the specific device even without its name. 

Specifying the Wi-Fi network adapter to ensure this tool works perfectly. Before performing the scan, you need to follow these steps. 

  • Click on the Options.
  • In the Wireless Network Watcher, Click on the Advanced options.
  • Check to Use the following network adapter.
  • Select our physical Wi-Fi adapter before you start a scan. 

So, these were the various ways to see all devices connected to your Wi-Fi. Let’s now discuss how to secure your Wi-Fi network and prevent unknown individuals from accessing it. 

How To Secure Your Wi-Fi Network? 

Above, we discussed how you could see all devices connected to your Wi-Fi. But now, you need to understand how to secure your Wi-Fi network. Hence, we have concluded the best ways to secure your Wi-Fi network. These are:

1. Change The Default Name And Password Of Your Network

Change The Default Name And Password Of Your Network

This is the easiest way to secure your network. You have to change its default name. It’s also known as Service Set Identifier (SSID), and this can be changed with the following steps. 

Open the Windows Command Prompt.
  • Type ipconfig.
Type ipconfig.
  • Navigate your IP Address.
  • Enter this IP address in the browser’s address box.
  • Enter your credentials for the router to log in.
  • Go to Wi-Fi settings.
  • Change SSID and password. 

Make sure you change the SSID and password with something unique and not very obvious. 

2. Limit Access To Your Network

This is pretty obvious. Providing access to someone you don’t know very well is never a good idea.

There is a higher possibility that your data might fall into the wrong hands if you keep giving access to the network to anyone. 

For example, if you have an electrician over your place for some work, then there is no need to share details of your network with them.

There can be exceptions to this as well. But try to limit the sharing of essential network details with anyone you don’t know personally.  

3. Create A Home Guest Network

Create A Home Guest Network

A guest Wi-Fi network is a good option if you have constant guests at your place. You can always create a home guest network if you want to provide your guest with an internet connection. 

With this, your guest will have access to the internet, but they won’t have access to any shared folders, storage devices, printers, and network devices connected to your primary network. 

4. Turn ON Encryption

Turn ON Encryption

There is an encryption option in most WPA2 and WPA3 routers. With the help of the IP address and router login credentials, you can turn ON the encryption by going to the Wi-Fi settings. 

After this, all the data sent between your device and the wireless channel is encrypted.

And hence to have access to this vital information, the user needs to have access to your Wi-Fi credentials first. 

After enabling this feature, you must manually connect all the devices to your Wi-Fi network. 

5. Turn ON Your Router Firewall

A firewall is beneficial as it can prevent unknown people from using your Wi-Fi connection or even leaving it. It will notify you every time something similar happens. 

You need to activate your router firewall manually as, in most cases, it’s not turned ON by default. For this this,

  • Use your IP address to log in to the router’s settings. 
  • Navigate to the advanced settings.
  • Toggle ON the Firewall option.

This feature results in slowing down the internet speed. Therefore if you are using something that requires fast speed, you can turn OFF this feature. And then turn it ON back again. 

6. Please Turn OFF Your Wi-Fi Network When No One Is Using It

Please Turn OFF Your Wi-Fi Network When No One Is Using It

This might seem basic or straightforward, yet it’s an effective way to secure your Wi-Fi connection. Therefore, if you are going out for a longer duration, you should turn OFF your network. 

7. Update Your Router’s Firmware

The router’s firmware is critical to keeping the Wi-Fi network secure. Most of the router’s firmware does not do this automatically; hence you need to perform the updating process manually. To do this:

  • Go to the manufacturer’s website.
  • Download the firmware update file.
  • Install it on your wireless router.
  • You need to check the website to know the exact process further because different manufacturers have different steps. 

8. Switch To WPA3 Router 

Switch To WPA3 Router

If you have a router from ISP, then there is a possibility that it may be a WPA2 device. Hence it would help if you bought a WPA3 router separately. 

It might not be on your list, but it’s worth every penny as this purchase will enhance wireless network security. And also increase the strength of the Wi-Fi signal.

9. Disable Remote Access

Remote access is one of the advantages a router provides you, but this can be turned into a disadvantage as well. It can lead to several network security issues

Hackers can easily access your wireless password and necessary credentials if they are not changed for a long time. Hence you should turn OFF the remote access feature unless you use it regularly. 

This can be done with the router’s interface by going to remote access settings.

10. Place The Router In The Middle Of Your House

Place The Router In The Middle Of Your House

Many people outside your house can see your Wi-Fi connection as many Wi-Fi signals are strong. 

This can be prevented by placing the router in the middle of your house. This is the easiest and most non-technical way to secure your connection. And you can have the best internet connection as well. 

Conclusion

Hence, now you can keep a tab on all the connected devices and secure your Wi-Fi connection. And if you are a user of WPA3-PSK encryption or WPA3, then you probably do not need to worry.

In such a case, there is almost zero chance of anyone connecting to your Wi-Fi without your permission. 

While if you are 100 percent sure someone is trying to connect to your Wi-Fi without your permission, change the password. 

There are a few things you need to be extra careful about while doing this. Otherwise, everything necessary is mentioned in the above sections.