What Is the WPS PIN? How to Find, Reset & Secure It

Staring at a blinking light on your printer that says “Enter WPS PIN”? You’re not alone. Most users mistake this for their Wi-Fi password, which is why it’s confusing. If you’ve searched "what is the wps pin" and found yourself deeper in the rabbit hole of technical jargon, take a breath.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what that 8-digit number is, where to find it on almost any device, and—crucially—why you might want to stop using it. I’ve spent 15 years working with home and small office networks, and I’ve seen plenty of routers get compromised not because of weak Wi-Fi passwords, but because the WPS PIN was left wide open. Let’s decode this once and for all.

Understanding WPS PIN: Definition, Format & Security

What exactly is a WPS PIN?

To put it simply, WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It’s a feature designed to let devices join your wireless network without you having to type out a long, complex password. Instead, it uses a digital handshake.

Think of it this way: your Wi-Fi password is the master key to your house. The WPS PIN is a temporary pass that a specific device (like your printer) uses to knock on the door and ask for the master key. It is not your router’s admin login password, and it is not your main network key.

I often explain it to clients like this: the PIN is a courier. Once the courier (the printer) verifies its ID (the PIN) with the router, the router hands the courier the actual network credentials.

Here is a quick breakdown to keep straight in your head:

What does a WPS PIN look like?

It’s always an 8-digit numeric string. No letters, no symbols. You’ll see it displayed on a device’s screen, printed on a configuration page, or sometimes written on a physical sticker.

The most important thing to know? It’s time-sensitive. For dynamic PINs (generated by printers and smart devices), the window to use that code is usually just 90 to 120 seconds. If you stare at it for two minutes, it expires. I’ve watched users frantically scramble to type in the code while it timed out, only to fail and restart the whole process. Keep your laptop open and your cursor ready before you generate the PIN.

How to Find the WPS PIN: Universal Methods for Routers & Printers

This is where it gets messy because there’s no single "WPS" button that reveals everything. The method depends entirely on whether you’re looking at a router or a printer, and whether the PIN is static or dynamic.

Method 1: Check the Physical Sticker or Label

If you are trying to connect a new device to your router using the router’s own PIN, look for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router access point.

I call this the "static" method. Most consumer routers (like Netgear, Linksys, or TP-Link) have a white or yellow sticker that lists the Wi-Fi password, the IP address, and often a "WPS PIN."

• Where to look: Under the battery compartment (if it’s a travel router), on the back panel, or on the bottom foot.
• What to look for: It will usually say "WPS PIN" or just "PIN."
• Caution: This PIN stays the same forever unless you manually change it. This makes it a security risk if your router is within range of a determined attacker.

For printers, check the bottom or the rear. However, be aware that many modern inkjet and laser printers (like Brother or Canon models) do not print a static PIN on the device. They generate a new one every time you ask. If there’s no sticker, move to the next method.

Method 2: Access the Device Interface (Printer/Router Screen)

This is how you find the "dynamic" PIN, which is what 90% of users are actually looking for when they get stuck.

For Printers with Screens: On an HP or Canon touchscreen printer, the path is usually:

1. Tap the Settings or Wi-Fi icon.
2. Navigate to Network > Wireless.
3. Select WPS or Wi-Fi Protected Setup.
4. Choose PIN Method.

The screen will now display an 8-digit number. You have about 2 minutes to enter this into your router’s admin page or a connecting computer.

For Routers: If you need the router’s PIN, you won’t find it on the router screen (routers don’t have screens, usually). Instead, you log into the router’s web dashboard (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Once logged in, look for the "Wireless" or "WPS" tab. There will be a field showing the current PIN, and usually a "Regenerate" button next to it.

I recommend using the browser method over the physical sticker. Why? Because if your router has been compromised, the attacker might have changed that PIN. Logging in lets you verify what’s actually active.

Method 3: Use Manufacturer Apps or Configuration Pages

What if your printer has no screen? This is common with budget laser printers.

You can force the printer to print out its current network status. This page will contain the IP address, the SSID, and the current WPS PIN (if one is active).

• HP: Usually holding down the "Wireless" button and the "Information" button for 3-5 seconds.
• Brother: Press the "Go" button three times quickly on some models, or navigate to "Reports" > "Network Configuration" on models with a menu.
• Canon: Go to "Admin" > "Reports" > "Network Configuration Report."

Alternatively, use the companion app (HP Smart, Brother iPrint, Canon PRINT). Once you pair the phone with the printer via USB or a direct connection, the app can often pull the network info for you, including the PIN if the printer is in setup mode. It’s less hassle than digging through printed pages, but the physical button combo is the fastest "hard skill" to learn.

WPS PIN Not Working? Troubleshooting & Fixes

Nothing is more frustrating than a failed handshake. Here’s a checklist I run through when a client calls saying "WPS isn't working."

Common Reasons for Failure

Before you blame the hardware, look at these four culprits:

1. The Clock Ran Out: The dynamic PIN expired. This is the #1 reason. Try generating it again.
2. WPS is Disabled: Many ISPs (like Verizon, AT&T, or local cable providers) disable WPS PIN mode by default on their supplied routers for security. Check your router’s admin panel to ensure WPS is actually turned on.
3. Security Mode Mismatch: Your router might be using WPA3, but the printer only supports WPA2 (or older WPA). The handshake fails because they speak different encryption languages.
4. Network Capacity: Your router has reached its max client limit. If you have 30 IoT devices and 15 phones connected, the router might reject new WPS pairing attempts.

How to Reset or Regenerate the WPS PIN

If the current PIN is "stuck" or giving errors, you need to refresh it.

For Printers: There’s no "reset" button per se. You just cancel the current session (press "Cancel" or turn the Wi-Fi off/on) and generate a new one. A fresh PIN always works if the device is healthy.

For Routers: If you suspect the router’s PIN is compromised or you just want a fresh start:

1. Log into the router admin interface.
2. Go to the WPS settings.
3. Click "Regenerate PIN" or "Change PIN."
4. Save the settings. The router will restart its wireless services for a few seconds.

Pro Tip: If you are stuck in a loop, restart both the router and the printer. A cold boot clears the handshake errors in the device’s memory. I’ve solved countless "wps pin not working" issues just by power-cycling the router for 30 seconds. It clears the queue.

Security Deep Dive: Why WPS PINs Are Vulnerable

This is the part most "how-to" guides skip. And it’s the most important part.

The PIN Brute-Force Vulnerability

Here’s the math: An 8-digit PIN seems secure, right? There are 100 million possibilities (00000000 to 99999999). A hacker shouldn’t be able to guess it.

But they can. And they do. In hours, not days.

Why? Because the WPS protocol uses a check-digit algorithm (CRC-32) that is mathematically flawed. It effectively splits the 8-digit PIN into two 4-digit halves. A hacker only needs to guess 10,000 combinations to crack the first half, and another 10,000 to crack the second.

This means an attacker sitting within Wi-Fi range can use a simple script to brute-force your network in less than a day. Once they have the PIN, they can bypass your Wi-Fi password entirely and inject their own credentials. This vulnerability has been known since 2011 (referenced by security researchers at the UAF), yet many routers still ship with it enabled by default.

Best Practices: Disable WPS & Use WPA3

My strong recommendation? Turn it off.

After you have connected all your devices, go into your router settings and disable WPS. You don’t need the convenience of button-pairing if it opens the door to your entire network.

Instead, use WPA2 or WPA3 with a strong, unique password.

• WPA3: The gold standard. Offers stronger encryption and protection against offline dictionary attacks.
• WPA2: Still very secure if your password is strong (12+ characters, mixed case, symbols).
• WPS: A known vector for compromise.

Exception: If you have IoT devices (like smart bulbs or cameras) that only support WPS and not passwords, keep WPS enabled but use it sparingly. Ideally, move those devices to a guest network with WPS disabled on the main SSID.

Change or Disable WPS PIN on Your Router

If you’ve read the security section and want to take action, here is how to change the WPS PIN on your router or disable the feature entirely.

How to Change the Router WPS PIN

The interface varies by brand, but the logic is the same.

1. Open a browser on a device connected to your network.
2. Type the router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar.
3. Log in (the default credentials are usually on the sticker on the router).
4. Navigate to Advanced > Wireless > WPS.
5. You will see two options: Disable or PIN.
6. If you choose PIN, there is usually a "Generate New PIN" button. Click it. The router will create a new 8-digit number.
7. Save/Apply.

Note: Changing the router’s static PIN does not affect the dynamic PINs generated by your printers. Those are separate.

When to Disable WPS Entirely

I recommend disabling WPS in these scenarios:

• You have a strong Wi-Fi password that you are comfortable typing.
• You are in an apartment complex or dense urban area where neighbors can access your signal.
• You just want to close the back door.

Quick Guide for Top Brands:

• Netgear: Navigate to Advanced > Advanced Wireless Settings > WPS. Toggle it to "OFF".
• TP-Link: Go to Wireless > WPS. Set "Enable WPS" to "No".
• Asus: Go to Wireless > WPS. Uncheck "Enable WPS".

Once disabled, you won’t be able to use the "push button" or "PIN" methods. You’ll have to enter the Wi-Fi password manually for new devices. For most users, this is a fair trade-off for peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WPS PIN the same as the router password?

No. The router password (often called the Wi-Fi key) is the main network credential you use to join the internet. The WPS PIN is a separate, temporary 8-digit code used specifically for the WPS connection protocol. They are two different strings of data serving two different purposes.

Where is the WPS PIN sticker usually located on a router?

It is typically found on a sticker label on the back or bottom of the router case. Look for the text "WPS PIN" or "PIN Code." If your router doesn't have one printed, you must find or reset it in the router's web admin interface.

Can I use the WPS PIN to connect a new device?

Yes, provided both your router and the new device support WPS. The device (like a printer) will generate a temporary PIN, or you will enter the router's static PIN into the device, to pair them without typing the full Wi-Fi password.

What happens if I enter the wrong WPS PIN multiple times?

Most modern routers have a built-in lockout mechanism. If you enter the wrong PIN too many times in a row, the router will disable the WPS port for a cooldown period (usually 5 to 10 minutes). You just have to wait for the timer to reset before trying again.

Conclusion

So, what is the WPS PIN? It’s a convenient, 8-digit bridge that connects your devices without the hassle of typing long passwords. But it’s a bridge with a crack in the foundation.

My advice? Use it to get your printer online or to pair that new smart plug. Once you’re set up, log into your router and disable WPS. Rely on a strong WPA2 or WPA3 password for your daily security. You don’t need the quick-connect button if it means leaving the door open to brute-force attacks.

Need more control over your network? Check out our guide on "How to Set Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network" to keep your IoT devices separated from your main traffic.