How to Check Who is On My Wi-Fi: Best Tips to Prevent Unwanted Connections

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Ever feel like your Wi-Fi is slower than it should be? It might not just be your devices – someone else could be piggybacking on your network. Having extra devices connected to your Wi-Fi can mess with your Internet speed and even put your security at risk.

The good news? It’s not hard to figure out who’s on your Wi-Fi and kick them off if needed. In this guide, we’ll show you simple ways to check your network and share tips to keep it secure so you don’t have to worry about freeloaders slowing you down.

Here’s how to know how many devices are connected to your Wi-Fi router (and figure out which ones don’t belong).

Key Takeaways

  • Slow Internet, frequent disconnections, or unknown devices may mean someone is using your Wi-Fi.
  • Check connected devices using your router, command line, or apps like Wireless Network Watcher.
  • Apps like Fing and NetCut let you identify, block, and monitor devices on your network.
  • Improve security by changing your Wi-Fi name and password, enabling WPA3, and disabling WPS.
  • Regular checks and updates protect your network from freeloaders and security risks.

3 Signs Someone Is On Your Wi-Fi

It’s not always obvious when someone is using your Wi-Fi without permission, but there are a few signs you can watch for:

Slower Internet speed
If your Internet suddenly feels slower than usual, it might not just be the weather or a bad router day – an extra device could be hogging your bandwidth. Running an Internet speed test can give you a better idea if something’s up.
Frequent disconnections
If your devices keep dropping the Wi-Fi, your network might be overcrowded. And if you didn’t add any new devices, it’s worth checking for ones that don’t belong.
Unknown devices on your network
Most routers have a way to show all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi. If you spot something unfamiliar – like a device name you don’t recognize – it’s a pretty good clue someone’s piggybacking on your network.
Strange activity on connected devices
This is the most extreme case, but if you notice devices on your network acting up – like unexpected pop-ups, slower performance, or apps behaving oddly – it could be a sign of unauthorized access or even malware introduced by an intruder.

These things might have a perfectly normal explanation, like outdated equipment or software glitches, but they’re good reasons to take a closer look at who’s using your Wi-Fi.

How to Check Who Is on Your Wi-Fi

Think someone’s hitching a ride on your Wi-Fi? The first step is to confirm it.

Use Your Wireless Router

The best way to see which devices are connected to your network is to check your router’s web/app interface. Your router is the control center of your network, and it keeps a list of all connected devices.

  1. First, you’ll need your router’s IP address. This is usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but it can vary. You can find this on the router itself or in its manual, or you can find your default gateway using the ipconfig /all command in Command Prompt.

  2. Once you have your router’s IP address, open a browser and enter the IP address in the address bar. This is how to check who is using your Wi-Fi on your PC, but some may prompt you to download an app instead. This is what my Wi-Fi router (Google Nest) did.

  3. You’ll probably need to enter your admin username and password to log in. If you’ve never changed these (you should), the default info is probably printed on the router or in the manual somewhere. Also, some may prompt you to download the app instead.

  4. Once you’re in, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, or something similar. This will show you all the devices using your Wi-Fi. If there’s something unfamiliar, it may be time to investigate!

    A screenshot of a mobile app displaying connected devices on a Wi-Fi network, showing real-time data usage for various devices, including iPhones, Windows PCs, and an unnamed device.

Some routers keep a log of all devices that have connected. If you’re unsure about a device, these logs can give you more details.

Use a Wireless Network Watcher

Wireless Network Watcher is a handy little tool that lets you scan your Wi-Fi network and see all the devices connected to it. It’s nice if you don’t feel like finding your router IP or are having trouble logging in to the interface.

You’ll need to download their application:

  1. Head over to the official NirSoft website, scroll down to the Feedback section, and click Download Wireless Network Watcher (in a Zip file). You can select either the 32-bit or 64-bit.

    A screenshot of the Wireless Network Watcher download page showing options to download the software for 32-bit and 64-bit systems in ZIP format, along with additional installation and hash verification links.

  2. Open the program, and it will automatically start scanning your network. Give it a minute or two, though, as it can be a bit slow.

  3. You can find the list of connected devices on your Wi-Fi with details like the device name, IP address, and MAC address.

    A screenshot of Wireless Network Watcher software displaying a list of devices connected to a Wi-Fi network, including IP addresses, device names, MAC addresses, network adapter manufacturers, and detection timestamps.

If you see anything suspicious, kick it off your network.

Use Command Prompt or Terminal

If you’re not into downloading extra tools, you can use the built-in command-line tools on your computer to check devices connected to your Wi-Fi.

The command is the same for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Open the command line on whichever operating system (OS) you’re running, and then run this command: arp -a

A screenshot of the Command Prompt displaying a list of network devices identified through the arp -a command. It shows IP addresses, MAC addresses, and whether the addresses are dynamically or statically assigned.

It will return a list of IP and Mac addresses, but it won’t give you any fancy details like device names. But it’s a quick way to check which devices are leeching off your network without downloading additional software.

Go through it and see if anything doesn’t belong.

Use a Wi-Fi Security App

Wi-Fi security apps are an easy way to check who is on your Wi-Fi. These tools scan your network and show connected devices with details like device names and IP addresses without needing to access your router settings.

There are several Wi-Fi security apps out there, but here are a few more popular options. Btw, these apps are all able to check which devices are on your network, so I’ll add a special detail about each to help you decide which one you want:

  • Fing: Provides a clear list of devices and sends alerts when new ones connect.
  • NetCut: Allows you to block unwanted devices.
  • GlassWire: Tracks connected devices and monitors activity for potential threats.
  • WiFi Analyzer: Helps you identify devices and optimize your network by finding the best signal channels.

5 Tips to Prevent Unwanted Connections to Your Wi-Fi

Knowing how to find if someone is using your Wi-Fi is the first step, but prevention is key:

Change your SSID and password
Rename your Wi-Fi network to something unique (and maybe a little fun) instead of the default name. Use a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols – no “password123” or anything easy to guess.
Enable WPA3 encryption
If your router supports WPA3, switch to it. It’s the latest security standard and much harder to crack than older ones like WPA2.
Set up a guest network
Create a separate network for visitors or smart devices. This keeps your main network private, so even if a guest’s device isn’t secure, your network stays safe.
Update your router firmware regularly
Router updates fix security flaws and keep things running smoothly. Check your router settings now and then to see if there’s an update available.
Disable WPS (Wi-Fi protected setup)
WPS makes connecting devices easier, but it’s not the most secure feature. Turning it off adds an extra layer of protection.

The Bottom Line

Keeping an eye on your Wi-Fi network is a simple but important way to make sure it’s secure and running smoothly. Knowing how to see what devices are connected to your Wi-Fi lets you spot any freeloaders and deal with them before they cause problems.

Taking a few proactive steps like updating your passwords, enabling WPA3, and turning off features like WPS can go a long way in keeping your network safe. A little effort now will save you from headaches down the line.

FAQs

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Marshall Gunnell
IT & Cybersecurity Expert
Marshall Gunnell
IT & Cybersecurity Expert

Marshall, a Mississippi native, is a dedicated IT and cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience. Along with Techopedia, his articles can be found on Business Insider, PCWorld, VGKAMI, How-To Geek, and Zapier. His articles have reached a massive audience of over 100 million people. Marshall previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and technical staff writer at StorageReview, providing comprehensive news coverage and detailed product reviews on storage arrays, hard drives, SSDs, and more. He also developed sales strategies based on regional and global market research to identify and create new project initiatives. Currently, Marshall resides in…