How to Share Wi-Fi Password as QR Code on Windows 11

Start by accessing the Windows Settings app where all network configurations are managed.

Press Win + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app directly. Alternatively, you can click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon, but the keyboard shortcut is faster.

Now you'll access the specific Wi-Fi management section where the QR code feature is located.

In the Settings window, click Network & internet in the left sidebar. This opens the main networking panel. Next, click Wi-Fi in the right pane to access wireless network settings.

You'll see your current Wi-Fi connection status, available networks, and various Wi-Fi options. The interface shows your connected network name (SSID) and signal strength.

This step takes you to the section where Windows stores all previously connected Wi-Fi networks, including their passwords.

On the Wi-Fi settings page, look for Manage known networks on the right side and click it. This opens a list of all Wi-Fi networks your computer has connected to and saved.

You'll see a list showing network names (SSIDs), security types (like WPA2-Personal), and when you last connected to each network. The networks are typically sorted by most recently used.

Choose the specific network you want to share from your saved networks list.

Click on the Wi-Fi network you want to generate a QR code for. This is typically your current connected network, but you can select any previously saved network. The network name will be highlighted when selected.

After clicking the network name, a detailed view opens showing network properties including the security type, network profile (Public or Private), and connection options.

This is where Windows 11's built-in QR code generation happens automatically when you reveal the password.

In the network details view, locate the Wi-Fi network password field. You'll see asterisks (****) hiding the actual password. Click the Show button next to the password field.

Windows will immediately display two things: the actual password in plain text and a QR code containing all the network information (SSID, security type, and password) encoded for easy scanning.

The QR code appears as a square black and white pattern that mobile devices can scan to automatically connect to your network.

Verify that the QR code works properly by testing it with a mobile device.

On the guest's smartphone or tablet, open the default Camera app (not a third-party QR scanner). Point the camera at the QR code displayed on your Windows 11 screen. Make sure the entire QR code is visible in the camera viewfinder with good lighting.

The device should automatically recognize the QR code and display a notification like "Join Network [Your Network Name]" on iOS or "Connect to [Network Name]" on Android. Tap this notification to connect.

The device will automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network without requiring manual password entry. The connection process typically takes 5-10 seconds.

Address potential problems that guests might encounter when scanning your QR code.

If the QR code doesn't work, first ensure the guest device's camera app is up to date. On iOS devices, make sure iOS 11 or later is installed for native Wi-Fi QR support. Android devices need Android 10 or later for built-in support.

Check that your Windows 11 is running version 24H2 or later by pressing Win + R, typing winver, and pressing Enter. The version should show 24H2 (Build 26100 or higher).

If the QR code appears blurry or distorted, try adjusting your display scaling. Right-click the desktop, select "Display settings," and ensure the scale is set to 100% or 125% for optimal QR code clarity.

For networks with special characters in the password, verify the QR code encodes them correctly by testing with multiple devices.