What is a WEP key?

Hi I'm having a problem with my Sony PSP and connecting it to the internet see I can get through everything but the WEP code. Is there a common WEP key? Are they all different? How would I be able to get mine? I searched everywhere but I still can't find it! HELP ME PLEASE!

Dave's Answer:

This is an amazingly common question I get from readers of Ask Dave Taylor and I can only assume that it's related to my being so well ranked for the phrase Sony PSP Help on the search engines.

Here's the scoop: just like a housekey is keyed, literally designed to only open one lock, so is a wireless network security password intended to just open up one door, one access point to the Internet. If you don't have my house key, you can't unlock my front door, and similarly, if you don't have my WEP key, you cannot use my wireless network access point.

Let me say that a different way too: if you are trying to use someone's wireless Internet (or "wifi") access point and don't have their password key, whether they're using WEP or WPA security, you will not be able to connect successfully and go online.

The only way around this is to figure out whose access point it is and ask them for their password, if they'll give it to you. If they won't, or if it's that mean guy from across the hall or down the street, you're out of luck and will need to set up your own access point if you want to get your Sony PSP online in your home.

Here's a good article to read: Set up a wireless access point for your Sony PSP.

Again, I can't say this strongly enough: WEP and WPA are passwords intended specifically to keep unregistered, unknown users out of the network. You cannot trick them, guess the password or circumvent the security and utilize their access point, whether you're using a pokey little Nintendo DS unit, a Sony PSP, or even a high-powered Mac or PC laptop.

With that in mind, I can now answer your questions: there is not a common WEP key because that'd be like having a keyed doorlock on your front door, but having it use the same key code as every other door on the street. It'd be useless.

If you have your own wireless base station, check my earlier referenced article too, as I talk about how you can typically find your WEP or WPA password and enter it into your wifi device (PSP, etc).

Hope that helps clear things up a bit.

Once you are online, don't forget to check out the many articles I have discussing various aspects of Sony PSP Internet Connectivity too!

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Categorized: Unix and Linux Help , iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help (Article 6488, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: psp help, psp internet, sony psp
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Reader Comments To Date: 67

monsieur said, on May 17, 2006 8:34 AM:

WEP keys are cracked in minutes nowadays, use WPA !

Carol said, on September 9, 2006 7:50 PM:

OK. I read your section about WEP codes. HOWEVER, when I AM given a "password", I put it in the WEP key request and I get a message that says it can only be ASCI or hexidex something characters. HOW does one find out WHAT WEP code they have on their system when someone ELSE set it up for them?
Thanks.

juan servin said, on September 16, 2006 11:04 AM:

dude where in hell do i find the wep key password for my damn psp???? i am freaking mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raindancer said, on September 19, 2006 1:13 PM:

@Juan

Your PSP does NOT have a WEP password. The wifi has the WEP key. you need to speak to the person who has the wifi router and ask them for the WEP.

Mcihael said, on September 21, 2006 6:40 PM:

Um how do i find my own WEP password

mike said, on October 6, 2006 5:43 PM:

I recently purchased a membership to allpspgames.com to download videos and games to my psp...but I don't have a pc...is there a site that sells videos and movies/games that are already converted and psp friendly

Vic said, on November 24, 2006 11:44 AM:

I have read all you have but I still cant figure out how to find my WEP #. Please help

Wayne said, on December 20, 2006 9:56 AM:

I'm trying to get rid of my WEP code, can you help? I know my system will have no security but i'm not bothered about that at the moment.

Sky said, on January 5, 2007 3:21 PM:

I know I have my own WEP password but how do I find it!!!!! I have my own access point I just need to find out what my WEP password is.

Jack Cawley said, on January 24, 2007 3:58 PM:

Ok Dave. My friend has road runner high speed online, and can't find the WEP key. I called the road runner tech support line, and they have no idea what i am talking about! How would I get The WEP Key for my friend? I think it would be stupid if he can't go online for his PSP.

stefani said, on March 7, 2007 7:21 PM:

How do I retrieve my WEP password. I have wireless on my desktop and recently bought a laptop and I want to use the wireless internet...I need a password to connect to my own internet!!! How do I retrieve it!?

Anonymous Techie said, on March 17, 2007 7:06 PM:

Your WEP key, if enabled, is usually saved/configured on the router it's self. These are commonly configured using your web browser by going to the following address: http://192.168.1.1/ for Linksys routers and http://192.168.0.1 for Netgear routers. The WEP Key info should be changeable through that interface. Consult your (or your nice neighbor's) router manual if you have trouble with this.

emma said, on April 2, 2007 1:12 AM:

hi i think ive guessed the wpa code for sky and i click test connection but when it starts it keeps saying timed out but it doesnt work

margz said, on April 6, 2007 9:50 AM:

i have a question.. if i want my wep key password do i have to buy a linksys wireless router or somekind of wireless router?

Dave Taylor said, on April 6, 2007 12:36 PM:

Emma, if you're seeing "connection timed out" then you probably did *not* guess their password, sorry to say.

Margz, the WEP password is something that you "hit" or encounter when you're trying to connect to a secured wireless Internet connection. Without some sort of base unit, either your own or a neighbors, you won't need a WEP password because you won't be able to get online. It's like having an electrical cord but no plug. So yes, if you want to have control over your own destiny [at least electronically!] you'll need to buy a wireless router and use that with your existing Internet connection to get online.

margz said, on April 8, 2007 4:21 PM:

can i use any brand of wireless router or does it have to be specific brand?

Josh said, on April 10, 2007 10:40 PM:

any brand of router will do. note: if you get a linksys router and configure it like i did, the address for the router control panel may be http://192.168.2.1/ and not http://192.168.1.1/. i have them configured that way so i can access both my modem settings and router settings. chances are if you run the automatic setup, it might do the same for you.

also, i know this will come up eventually, when installing your wireless router you have to set your modem to bridge mode. this can be done under VC settings in your modem control panel (http://192.168.1.1/). enable one of the bridges or set PPPoE to bridge. if you don't do that, your modem will fail to recognize that you're using a router and the whole setup won't work.

and when you enter your WEP key on your PSP/PS3, you need to enter the ENCRYPTED VERSION which it should show you under your router settings. so if your key is "apple", you would enter one of the encrypted keys into your PSP/PS3 that would look something like "EII99238TTSYD8990AS".

Anthony said, on April 11, 2007 11:42 AM:

Where is the wep key on the router?

Juan said, on April 12, 2007 7:28 PM:

You can get in the internet with your PSP if you go places like Carl's Jr. or Starbucks

angrah said, on April 14, 2007 3:10 AM:

i know what my freaking password is, but my ps3 wont take it. it works fine for my computers, but when i enter it. it tells me that the characters are invalid! im getting really pissed off.

dom said, on May 7, 2007 6:30 AM:

I have an xbox 360 and am trying to connect it to a wireless network. I think the problem im having is not knowing my own WEP/WAP key. How do i find it on my computer?

Dom said, on May 7, 2007 6:48 AM:

Okay, new question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'v found my WEP password, however, it is in little stars (because it is a password). How do i figure out what letters these little stars are representing?

Lisa said, on May 25, 2007 8:55 AM:

We are trying to use our PSP but we can't remember what our WEP key is on our router. How do I find it?

Thanks!

ify said, on June 28, 2007 10:03 AM:

i am still having problems with getting my psp to connect to the internet when i scan i get something but when i test the connection it comes up as an error. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone said, on June 30, 2007 7:13 AM:

Linksys doesn't work...

roberto said, on July 6, 2007 4:21 PM:

i need help!!!!!!!!!!!
where do i find my WEP key where is it suppose to be at? is it on the modem on my internet?

Anthony said, on July 13, 2007 12:41 PM:

i have everything for my psp to get on the internet but i cant find the default router information. Dave, how can i find it

jane said, on August 19, 2007 5:00 PM:

Why does no one listen to what he says?! Its clearly on your router/hub etc

Steph said, on August 23, 2007 4:50 AM:

Yeh I've got a PSP and I pick up other people's routers but i need WEP keys for them =P

I have my Own NETGEAR Router, MR sumut but anyways, I can get a signal on it 100% with my PSP but the SSID comes up as blank and I need a WEP key for it

The Router's SSID is TW34609107 but it comes up as blank and I still don't know what the WEP is, and don't give me the http://192.168.0.1 shit, 'cause that doesn't load =]

icky said, on September 8, 2007 1:35 PM:

i forgot my wep key,its stored on my psp but it comes up in little stars.how can i retrieve it.i am using a bthomehub-eefb.

BRENDA said, on October 12, 2007 10:42 PM:

BUT HOW DO YOU GET THE WEP WPA PASWORD??

kamikaze said, on October 29, 2007 2:15 PM:

yo i have a router and all that but anytime i change the password i have no connection the signal dies..... umm i think the wep key has something to do with tthe numbers on the router can u help me figure it out?

Kevin said, on November 9, 2007 8:25 PM:

do you even need a wireless connection or can you use it on regular computer? and how do you figure your wep key out and figure why DNS keeps popping up?

anoymous said, on November 25, 2007 11:41 PM:

ok..there are many guides that say about how to get wep key and some other junk that keep explaining about the key and never go to the main point......it is so irrtitating!!!

alf said, on December 7, 2007 3:54 PM:

i have a netgear wireless router, i am trying to retrieve my wep key password, how do i do that.

Linda said, on December 31, 2007 2:44 PM:

I have my pc connected to the internet via cable connection. Where can i find my WEP key so I can get online w/ my psp?

scott carr said, on January 3, 2008 7:36 AM:

i have a netgear wireless router, i am trying to retrieve my wep key password, how do i do that

MANNY said, on February 19, 2008 3:09 PM:

I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A WEP KEY. WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE

dean mcdonald said, on March 9, 2008 10:30 AM:

bro, how on earth do i get my wep key

sissy said, on May 4, 2008 9:42 PM:

i have dsl internet and am trying to get my laptop working from my desktop computer. i set it all up and its asking me for my wep key. how do i go about finding my wep key. thanks, sissy

Glen said, on May 16, 2008 5:06 PM:

The WEP key should be marked somewhere on the router that is serving your wireless network (either a 10-character or 26-character code)

If not, then:

Go to Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Command Prompt

Type ipconfig, then press [ENTER] key

Jot down the displayed Default Gateway address (or the Connection-specific DNS Suffix address)

Close the “Command Prompt��? window

Open Internet Explorer (or whatever web browser you prefer to use)

Enter the Default Gateway (or Connection-specific DNS Suffix) address, then press [ENTER] key

You should now be viewing the router’s information webpage. The layout/content of this webpage will vary, depending on your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or manufacturer of the router.

The WEP key should be contained somewhere on this webpage, or the webpage should indicate where the WEP key is marked on the router. If not, the webpage should allow you to create a new WEP key.
(IMPORTANT NOTE: If a new WEP key is created, each computer/device that had been connected to the wireless network will now be disconnected until the new WEP key is entered at that computer/device.)

Once the WEP key has been either positively identified or changed, it is highly recommended that the key be marked somewhere on the router for future reference.

mike said, on July 20, 2008 1:08 AM:

i type in the gateway address which is 192.168.1.1 but it says "Warning: This server is requesting that your username and password be sent in an insecure manner (basic authentication without a secure connection)." an i have no idea how to make it insecure or send it in that manner can someone help me cause once im in there im ready to go its just i never ran into that problem.....EVER
thanks guys
Mike

JJ said, on August 11, 2008 11:16 PM:

What if there is no password for the WEP in the Sony PSP, what do we put?

john said, on September 9, 2008 9:16 AM:

Hi im having a lil problemm in my psp, it wont connect me to my wireless at home.. It keep saying (A coonection error has occurred. The connection to the accesss point timed out) wat does this mean... p.s i have my own wireless at home n i know da pass n name for my wirelessss...pls pls pls pls help me im not gd at dis kind of stuffffffffffffffff
TY:john

Nelson said, on September 16, 2008 2:16 AM:

If you REALLY need to ask "HOW DOES I GET WPA WEP PASSWORD FROM MY ROUTER", you should not be trying to do it yourself. If you don't know how to access the security page in your router's/modem's configuration console then you probably either:
A: Paid someone else to set up your wireless for you in the first place and you should proceed to do the same thing now or
B:
Used one of those slightly terrible "One touch setup" things in which case you should go ahead and hire someone to do it for you if you actually can't read the plentiful instructions for this that have been posted here already.

T said, on October 21, 2008 6:06 PM:

Where is the wep key located? And what is a SSID?

ian meadows said, on October 26, 2008 1:02 PM:

how do you get a new wep code it doest say on my wireless router

Yohlunda said, on November 22, 2008 4:41 PM:

I want to thank Glen for his May 16th posting. I was unable to locate my WEP and found it immediately using his instructions! Yeah!!!!

shakil said, on January 12, 2009 1:32 PM:

can i have spicific answers to how to find my wep key

madmax40 said, on January 16, 2009 7:02 PM:

For all you out there that are concerned about connecting your PS2's, PS'3's and PSP's and anything else....here is a short course:

The Router allows you access to a specific network. That network may be your own. Each Router has different security. Every 'Wireless' Router allows you to set security. Some people accept the defaults, sometimes after a power failure, the Router reverts to the defaults.

The correct way to obtain any kind of security key is to go to the administrator of the Router and ask them which security measures they implemented for the Router you are trying to access. It may be WEP, WPA, Password protected or a combination of all the above.

You cannot GUESS what this security is nor can you buy a program or watch UTUBE to reveal that to you. You have to go to the Router Administrator and ask questions. If YOU are the Administrator, then YOU will have to answer the question. There are manuals for every Router. There are people on Router Chat lines to talk to.

But YOU are responsible for figuring this all out.

Now if you are into a Playstation and it asks you a question that you don't understand, then go to the Router Administrator, Consult the Router Manuals, Consult the PS Manuals but DO NOT go to any website and ask insane things like "what's a WEP Key?",,,, you should have enough sense to have looked up what a WEP key is and what it does.

Having discovered that it is a security key that can be expressed in a series of either decimal or hexidecimal digits, you will then have to figure out what Playstation wants you to type in. Consult the Manual or go to the PS website.

Enter the SAME WEP Key as the Router assigned to ALL Users of the Wireless Network you are on.

If you want to do this very simply, just DO NOT secure the Wireless Network on your Router. If the Router hasn't 'assumed' any defaults caused by power glitches, then you should be able to connect up without having to provide any sort of KEY or PASSWORD. This will, of course allow anyone within a block of your house to then freely use your Internet Access.

barbara said, on January 24, 2009 8:27 AM:

i don't have wireless but my granddaughter has a ds and want a web key for her tinker bell game how do i get one please help me

jorden said, on January 24, 2009 8:34 AM:

i want to use my mom laptop and other games on but she want let me have her web key to play she said i had to get my own.how do i do that thank you my grandmother has a laptop but it is not a wireless can she get a web key

diana said, on January 24, 2009 8:41 AM:

what do you do to people that are stealing internet with out paying for it.and are useing some one else web key to get it free and they dont live in the same house but across the yard

fLORENCE said, on March 21, 2009 5:26 PM:

I don't have a comment, I want to ask a question. My server says my internet is working fine, that it is a problem with my pc. I think I have deleted my dll drive. Please tell me how I can reinstall them without charge, which I can't afford.

thomas smith said, on March 24, 2009 11:26 AM:

This does contain lies. I can usually crack a WEP key in under 10 minutes. They dont keep people out.

Obed Aguilar said, on March 31, 2009 8:21 AM:

Hey i have an hp pavilion ze5300 but wenever i want to connect wirelessly to another internet router that is in range it asks me for the Wep key.... nd i want to get into internet but i cant because the other internet router asks for my Wep key....please someone help me

thehomiepayaso said, on April 15, 2009 8:54 PM:

get this straight....
the router has the wep key
not the psp

ryan said, on April 17, 2009 3:35 PM:

can i find wpa password key by use my laptop computer. to find right passcode

Rakesh said, on December 30, 2009 3:28 AM:

i dont know how to type wep key please teach me and gie one wep key for my help........

Shell said, on April 15, 2010 6:18 PM:

Hi Dave
I have a Sony PSP and have followed your instructions for setting this up on the internet. When I do the auto search it tells me my connection is a WPA-PSK (TKIP) with security. I have tried putting in the security code (which I know) and it does come up 'connecting to access point', 'receiving key info' but then I get A CONNECTION ERROR HAS OCCURRED. THE KEY INFORMATION EXCHANGE TIMED OUT. Do you have any ideas what I am to try now?
Shell

amy said, on September 5, 2010 11:05 AM:

ok ppl i seen so many of these questions on different sites, normally, your wep password is your phone number.(if you did not call and have it changed)

how do i know this? my mom had the same issue with her ds.

patrick said, on September 11, 2010 5:45 AM:

if you have problems figuring out what your wep key code is why don't you call your service provider for help or use your psp to scan for an internet connection to find your wep key code by going to settings network scan on your psp and you can even save images from the internet on your psp or ps3 by clicking file save image and by having the arrow key on image press triangle file save image and look for the wep key code on your wireless router box it should be there

saratho said, on December 10, 2010 9:21 AM:

how to get bypasswireless key /code thank sir/ my saratho in Zambia

bou tikon said, on September 15, 2011 8:23 AM:

where can i find my wpa ............. i forgot it

jeffro said, on February 17, 2012 2:12 AM:

i have asked the question about why my wep key password all of a sudden is not valid on my ps3 cant understand as has worked for last 7 months can you help

Dominick Glass said, on March 14, 2012 9:37 PM:

I formated my lap top i tried to connect but it needs my wep key I have it but theres no place to put my wep key in. How do I put it in to connect.

Thank You.

rahul said, on April 26, 2012 4:53 AM:

D757B7C9A8EB607EDB8607A4A
this one is wep key plz decrpyt it

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

What is a WEP key?

Reader Comments To Date: 67

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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