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MikroTik Wi-Fi setup: network name, password and channel

Last updated: 11 October 2026

MikroTik has two Wi-Fi systems. Older devices use the wireless package (interfaces called wlan1), newer ones the wifi package (interfaces called wifi1). The commands differ, so first find out which one you have.

Before you change a live router: take a backup (how) and turn on Safe Mode in Winbox, so a mistake that locks you out is undone by itself.

Which package do I have?

/interface print where type~"wlan|wifi"
  • Names like wlan1, wlan2: the wireless package. Use the first set of commands.
  • Names like wifi1, wifi2: the wifi package (RouterOS 7.13 and newer; called wifiwave2 before that). Use the second set.

With the wireless package (wlan1)

/interface wireless security-profiles add name=main mode=dynamic-keys authentication-types=wpa2-psk wpa2-pre-shared-key=AtLeast8Characters
/interface wireless set wlan1 mode=ap-bridge ssid=ShopWiFi band=2ghz-b/g/n channel-width=20mhz frequency=auto security-profile=main disabled=no

With the wifi package (wifi1)

/interface wifi set wifi1 configuration.ssid=ShopWiFi security.authentication-types=wpa2-psk,wpa3-psk security.passphrase=AtLeast8Characters disabled=no

wpa2-psk,wpa3-psk lets new phones use WPA3 and older ones WPA2 with the same password. You can also set your country with configuration.country= so the router uses the channels allowed where you are.

The Wi-Fi must be in the LAN bridge

Clients connect but get no address? The Wi-Fi interface is not a port of the bridge where the DHCP server runs:

/interface bridge port print
/interface bridge port add bridge=bridge interface=wlan1

(Use wifi1 for the wifi package.) See bridge setup.

Choosing a channel

  • 2.4 GHz: use 20 MHz width and channel 1, 6 or 11 (2412, 2437 or 2462 MHz). Other channels overlap two of these and make things worse for everyone.
  • 5 GHz: faster and less crowded, shorter range. Use it for nearby devices and point-to-point links.
  • Look before you choose: the scan shows the networks around you.
/interface wireless scan wlan1
/interface wifi scan wifi1

(Run the one that matches your package; a scan briefly disconnects clients.)

See who is connected

/interface wireless registration-table print
/interface wifi registration-table print

The signal column shows how well each client hears you. Below about -75 dBm, expect slow speeds and drops.

Next steps

  • Many access points with one name and roaming: CAPsMAN.
  • A login page and paid access on the Wi-Fi: hotspot setup.
  • A separate guest network: a second network on its own VLAN or bridge.

Questions and answers

How do I change the Wi-Fi password on a MikroTik?

wireless package: change wpa2-pre-shared-key in the security profile. wifi package: /interface wifi set wifi1 security.passphrase=NewPassword.

What is the difference between the MikroTik wireless and wifi packages?

wireless is the older driver for older radios (wlan interfaces); wifi is the newer one for newer radios (wifi interfaces) with different commands. A device uses one or the other.

Why do clients connect to my MikroTik Wi-Fi but get no internet?

Most often the Wi-Fi interface is not in the LAN bridge, so DHCP does not reach it, or there is no NAT rule.

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