Having problems with the security key/passphrase

The "passphrase" is the WPA2 security password that the router uses to permit access to the wireless network. ALL wireless devices on the network have to use this password to get onto the network. Whomever is controlling the router should know this password.

Access to the functions seem to be restricted to users who have a pass phrase (or password). If it is a wireless printer the router is asking for the pass phrase (network access key) to allow the device to connect to the network. Once it is registered with the router you will not need to enter it again, unless you reset the router.

Hi glenncj,

Welcome to Fixya. If you need the WEP key or Network Key you need to access the Wireless Settings Page.

To access the router page just open a browser then type 192.168.1.1, the Default username is blank and the password is admin. Go to the Wireless Tab select Wireless Security under the Security Mode you will see there Network Key or Wep Key. The Network Key or Wep Key serves as a password or security code on your network to make it secure.
You can also reset the router by pressing the Reset button at the back of it for 15-30 seconds using a Pen and a Paper Clip.

If this works dont forget to say thanks. Thanks for using Fixya.

You can use a pass-phrase scanner which will find and display the network pass-phrase and key. Or if its a small network then you can reset the router to factory defaults and use the default password to re-setup the network.. Sometimes its easier to reset to factory defaults but you have to have all your ducks in a row. You need to know the WAN details and any printer specifics and open port details etc.

..and you will have to setup every machine on the network to use the new passphrase/key. ..ooorrrr get a network scanner to reveal the pass phrase/key

The passphrase is a phrase you create instead of using hex numbers (phrases are easier to remember than hex numbers) to setup the wireless encryption key.
To configure the Linksys wireless setting, connect a LAN cable from the Linksys LAN port to the computer's LAN port. Open a browser and enter the Linksys configuration URL
http://192.168.1.1
The default login = admin
The default PW = admin
Then go to the wireless settings and configure the SSID and WPA or WPA2 encryption.
Use a passphrase to setup the encryption key

To secure your wireless network from unauthorized access, please click on this link and follow my instructions :-
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

WPA with a Pre-Shared Key (PSK), also known as personal. PSK is entered as a pass phrase between 8 to 63 alphanumeric characters in the ASCII format at both ends of the wireless connection. Although PSK accepts a minimum of eight characters, for proper security, it is a good idea to use ample length and should not use a commonly known phrase. This phrase is used to generate session keys that are unique for each wireless client.

WPA pass phrase is a password for the wireless network to make it secured. You can obtain the WPA pass phrase when you access your router. Check the manual of your router for the address, username and password of your router. Go to wireless settings, you will see ther the SSID or Network Name, Network Key or the Pass Phrase and Authentication (WPA/WPA2/WEP). You can personalize the SSID,Network Key and Authentication. Remeber that for you to connect wirelessly the Authentication and Network Key on the router should match the Network Key and Authentication of the Printer or Computer.

Thanks for using Fixya,

Found the link here
To answer the question "Where can I get my network key?" Your network key is set or saved on the router setup page. To get this, just open your browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox) on the computer that is wired directly to the router. Then type in the address bar http://192.168.1.1/or http://192.168.0.1/ the address will depend on the version of your router, or just try both, it will ask you for a user name and password, by default the user name is admin and password is password. Once you're on the setup page of your router click on the wireless settings on the left hand panel. Then look for the wireless security settings - if the security is set to WEP - Key1 will be the network key or which ever has a tick. Or if the security is set to WPA the pass phrase is your network key. Now that you know the network you can now type it once you are prompted when try to connect to your network.

If the pass phrase has already been setup.
And you do not know what it is.
Hold the reset button down to reset to factory defaults. Reset button is between the antenna and the ethernet plug. Little large hole than the rest near the bottom of the chrome grill. Good light you can see the black reset button.
Good luck!

You will need to check the wireless settings of the router .
Is there any computer connected to the router with the Ethernet cable?
If not then connect 1 computer to the router and open the router set up page. Once you open the router set up page, you will be able to find the wireless network key.
Use that password to connect to the wireless network

Click Here for step by step Instructions on how to find the network key

I understand that you are trying to connect the wireless adapter in your notebook computer to the wireless network being offered by your own router.

Login to your router's web-server, and query the pass-phrase it is using, or reset the pass-phrase.

Try it wired first, if doesn't work its your basic configuration if it does try removing WEP and running unsecured. If you can connect focus on your WEP settings, if you can't connect focus on the antennae, hardware, and radio settings. If you connect without WEP and can't connect with, use the 64bit hex key it generates instead of your pass phrase. Many wireless cards have trouble using the passphrase.