6 Sure Short Ways To Kick People Off Your WiFi

When you give someone your WiFi password, they can make use of your network as much as they like and with any device. While sharing your network with someone who needs it may be commendable, it also has its adverse effects, especially when they start connecting whenever they like and with many devices.

This article will show you how to kick people off your WiFi before that; let’s see the downside of allowing multiple or unwanted people access to your network

Why You Should Disconnect Unwanted Devices From WiFi?

It is way better when you know what someone wants to use your WiFi for; with that, you can be aware of how much bandwidth they are consuming and the type of device it is used on.

But if an unwanted user connects to your WiFi, below are a few not so good experiences you may encounter. 

1. Incur additional expenses: When you have many unwanted devices sharing your WiFi, the chances are that they may be consuming it at an unadvisable rate. This dramatic consumption can bring about more expenses or make your bandwidth run low. This is an experience nobody wants to have. 

2. Slow network: Another annoying experience is poor network speed. When we stream high-quality videos or download large files, we tend to demand more resources from our WiFi. Our network mostly focuses on these tasks, making others seem slow. But if you are convinced there’s no auto-update happening on your system or you aren’t downloading or streaming any HQ video and your WiFi appears to be slow, there’s a chance that someone is sharing your WiFi. 

3. The router reboots: Generally, reboots occur periodically, it may be triggered by the router carrying out maintenance of some sort, or the router’s manufacturers have pushed out an update of some sort. But when your router keeps resetting often, there’s a possibility that an unwanted user is trying to get in by brute force. 

4. Hackers: It isn’t advisable to make use of random WiFi, especially those in public places like coffee shops, airports, etc. Reason being that these networks aren’t properly secure. Even if you should use them, it should be with a device that doesn’t contain your secret information like your credit card details, bank log-in, and much more. The alternative to this is using your WiFi. However, when someone shares this with you, they can access your files. Even spy on you, which is not acceptable in summary, what you avoid from a public network could be happening in your private network. 

5. High latency: A gamer can strongly relate to this. Latency is the amount of time it takes a command to go from your computer to the server and back. When you have someone on your WiFi, the latency level tends to increase as this unwanted user shares your bandwidth with you. 

6. Malicious software: This is almost similar to the hacking effect. Here, the hacker doesn’t just steal your information but leaves a virus, ransomware,  malware, spyware of any sort. This software often leaves your system in shambles. 

7. Implications with the authorities: If said unwanted user access child pornographic content, access the dark web for illegal activities, and other controversial actions, some law enforcement agencies might visit you. 

8. No Encryption: This is somewhat in-line with the hacker point. These days we encrypt our WiFi with either the WPA or WPA2 security protocol. If your old router uses the obsolete WEP security protocol, your network is as vulnerable as it can be. Sharing an insecure private network with someone isn’t a good idea at all. 

Other effects will leave you sad, but these are enough to motivate you to find a way to kick unwanted devices off your WiFi. 

Related Read: Ways to Improve Internet Speed

How to spot unwanted WiFi users

Before we see how to kick people off your WiFi, let’s see some ways even to know they are unwanted users on it. 

1. From your Router’s page

All you have to do is open your router’s page from your browser( usually you can access it by accessing 192.168.1.1 on your browser- that’s the IP most of the routers use).

Most routers give you a set of numbers to log-in to this page. Navigate to the active connections section and look out for any suspicious name or Mac address. If possible, try disconnecting every device so it will be easy to fish out the culprit. 

2. Make use of third-party apps

Some third-party apps can help you out. Windows users should try out Wireless Network Watcher, while Mac users should make use of Who’s On My WiFi 

a. Wireless Network Watcher (Windows) 

Step 1. Visit this link to download the app (select your preferred language and download accordingly) 

Step 2. Click on the setup file and follow the on-screen installation process. 

Step 3. Launch Wireless Network Watcher program. It automatically starts scanning for active connections. 

Step 4. When it is done scanning, it will display all devices connected to your device. 

b. Who’s on my WiFi (Mac) 

Step 1. Visit this link to download the setup file. 

Step 2. Click on the setup file and run the installation following its on-screen instructions. 

Step 3. Launch Who’s on my WiFi app. 

Step 4. On launch, a pop-up appears, click the Yes, set up the continuous automatic scanning option. 

Step 5. Click on Proceed in the next window and allow the program to scan for active networks. The Scanning message will be at the upper right corner, which will enable the scanning to complete then proceed. 

How to kick people off your WiFi?

Finally, to the bone of contention.

Here we will show you different ways to kick someone off your wireless network easily. 

1. Try reaching out

Let’s give dialogue a chance; I’ll suggest you reach out to who you feel is the culprit amicably.

Assuming you notice any of those occasions above that indicates your WiFi is being shared at a particular time. For example, in the night whenever your neighbor comes back from work, or whenever your brother locks himself in his room, or any other possible scenarios, you can try reaching out to the suspect and amicably asking them to stop using your WiFi. 

In countries like Japan, hacking into someone’s WiFi network isn’t a crime, in the USA it is. Those who hacked in may have no idea that they are breaking the law; you can remind them of this too.

2. Change your WiFi Password 

Your router might have a different approach to this; however, the steps below are often the usual way. 

Step 1. Access your router’s admin panel. You can do this with its default IP address. You can probably find this in the box the router came in or behind the router. You can also try the IP addresses below;

1. 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1 (Netgear,TP-Link,D-Link)
2. 10.0.1.1 (Apple)
3. 10.0.0.1 (Xfinity)

Alternatively, for Windows users, you can open the command prompt and type in ipconfig, then hit Enter. Next, look for the Default Gateway address and try connecting with it. 

Step 2. On the log-in page, input your username and password. If you can’t recall any of this information, use a LAN or Ethernet cable to connect directly. 

Step 3. Go to the Wireless section. The name for this section often varies by router providers. You may encounter Wireless, Wireless Setup, or Wireless Settings. 

Step 4. In the Wireless section, set your security protocol or mode to WPA or WPA2 (recommended). 

Step 5. In the text box labeled Passphrase, Password, or Pre-shared key, input your new password. Most routers may require you to input the password twice to be sure you remember it. 

It would be best to use a password that consists of eight characters above that you will remember. It’s advisable you don’t use a common name or word someone can guess. You could try combining upper and lower cases, special characters (like @, &, #), or different numbers. 

Step 6. When you are satisfied, you click on Ok, Apply or Save Settings, which is often on your screen’s lower screen. 

Step 7. Now restart your router. 

The downside about this method is, your previously connected networks will be kicked out, you’ll have to re-input them. On the other hand, every unwanted user will lose access to your WiFi. 

3. Configure Mac address filtering 

Every wireless device has a Mac address that is special to it. The Mac address is different from an IP address. MAC stands for Media Access Control; it is a unique identifier given to any network interface controller used to communicate in a network segment. 

Now, most routers have a feature you can use to blacklist or ban a specific Mac address from accessing your WiFi.

Some also allow you to whitelist only specific MAC addresses. This is a temporal solution because if an intruder who has access to your router password still wants access, all they’ll have to do is change their Mac address. 

Another downside is, if you whitelist specific Mac addresses, you’ll need to input any new device’s MAC address manually.

This might do for most users. The best way to find out how to set this up is to reach out to your router producers or go online. You can also dig deep via your admin panel. 

You can find this feature named Wireless Card Access list on most Netgear routers. Other Netgear routers like the Nighthawk have this under the Access Control feature; here, the intruder will successfully connect to your WiFi but wouldn’t be able to use the internet.

On the other hand, Google WiFi gives you a feature to Pause internet access to specific devices.

However, it won’t kick them off the WiFi. 

You can also try these steps

Step 1. Launch your browser and open your router admin area via its IP address. Input your log-in details to proceed. 

Step 2. Click on the Advanced menu option. 

Step 3. Locate and select Mac Network Filter. 

Step 4. Toggle Turn Mac On option and Deny Computer Listed to Access this Network. 

Step 5. In the field provided, enter the MAC addresses of devices you want to block (If you don’t have their MAC addressed, go to the Access list and copy out those you can’t identify). 

Step 6. When done, click the Save button and close. All the MAC addresses you listed will be blocked. 

These settings may be different on your router. 

4. Using a third-party app

There are third-party apps that can make this easy for you. An app like NetCut is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers; follow the steps below to kick unwanted devices off your WiFi with NetCut. 

Step 1. Visit this link to download the setup file. Choose your OS. They have software for Windows, Mac, and Android devices. 

Step 2. Run the installation following on-screen instructions. 

Step 3. Close all open applications and save all progress, then restart your device. 

Step 4. When it has restarted, launch the NetCut app. NetCut scans and displays all connected devices and their MAC address; if it doesn’t do this, automatically click the Scan button at the top of your screen. 

Select the unwanted users by their MAC addresses and other details provided. NetCut shows all devices currently logged to your WiFi; if you see a Samsung device and you have none, that may be an intruder select it too. 

Step 5. Click the Cut option. These will disconnect devices from your wifi internet. 

Switch on your internet, connect your devices and enjoy. 

5. Reset your Router

If none of the solutions above worked for you, you could try resetting your router. 

Step 1. Disconnect your router from your modem. You have to unplug the Ethernet cable that connects both. If you have a router-modem combo, you can skip this.

Step 2. Search for your router’s Reset button. It is often at the back of your router and pretty hard to spot as it is relatively small and somewhat hidden. 

Step 3. Make use of a small tool to get the reset button, like a pin or paperclip, and press and hold down simultaneously for at least 30 seconds. 

Step 4. Give your router time to come back on. This may take a while; your router will restart a few times. 

Step 5. Plug back your router to the modem with the Ethernet cable. (Ignore if you use a combo) 

Step 6. Connect to your network and check if the problem persists. 

Most times, our routers stay on for days; this simple reset should do. Much of your settings should change. 

6. Contact your ISP

If all these steps have proven futile, you should reach out to your Internet Service Provider. Hopefully, they will be willing to help you out. 

1. Get ready for the call. Jot down everything you need to ask them. Don’t forget to include your means of identification to show you are their customer (billing address, account number, etc.), write down your router details and what you’ve noticed. 
2. After calling them, identify yourself and explain everything you’ve experienced. They may seek your permission to change your password and username, write down the new details. 
3. Finally, ask that they set your network to high-security. 

Bonus Tip

 1. Update your router: Currently, the best security protocol for your network is WPA2 (WPA3 is still in the works); you can settle with its predecessor WPA; however, WEP is not advisable as it is obsolete.

Old and outdated routers use the WEP security protocol which often leaves them vulnerable to attacks. It would be best if you considered switching to a router that uses the WPA and WPA2 security protocols and updating your current router software. 

 2. Create Gues Accounts: While moving forward, you should give guest accounts to visitors; this will save you the stress of searching for how to kick devices off your WiFi in the future. Most routers have a guest network or guest access feature in their settings.

These accounts often have entirely different passwords. This is better than giving them your regular password. So, suppose in the future, they are using the guest account without your permission. In that case, you can change the guest password without affecting your whole system. 

Conclusion 

In this article, you’ve learned how to kick people off your WiFi to avoid incurring additional bandwidth costs, slow network, and other security breaches. In this article, we documented the effect of having unwanted visitors on your WiFi. We gave you 6 ways to disconnect unwanted devices from your WiFi. We also gave two bonus tips. Thank you for visiting; share your experiences below.