- Understanding connected customers identifies consumption and performance issues, and helps detect intruders who compromise privacy and accountability.
- Using tools (mobile apps, Windows programs and the router panel) allows you to list IP/MAC addresses, measure RSSI signal, and monitor traffic and events.
- Strengthen the network: update firmware, change passwords, disable WPS, enable WPA3, and review logs to block unauthorized access.
In any home or office, the wireless network accumulates mobile phones, laptops, televisions, game consoles, and IoT devices, and we don't always know who's connected or if everything is working as it should. Having visibility into the devices using your Wi-Fi in Windows 11 and on the router itself helps avoid surprises and resolve everyday issues. Monitoring connected clients, their signal strength, and their data usage makes all the difference between a stable network and one that's constantly lagging.
Beyond the technical aspects, there's an obvious security component: detecting intruders, blocking them, and strengthening the network with basic adjustments saves headaches and potential liability. With a few mobile and PC tools, and access to your router's control panel , you can list devices, identify each one by its IP/MAC address, and take action if something seems amiss. For added peace of mind, you can use Android apps that help you detect Wi-Fi theft.
Why you should see who's connected to your Wi-Fi
One of the typical symptoms of having too many devices or one behaving abnormally is slowness. If the network is lagging, it could be due to saturation or a single device consuming excessive resources . Knowing who is connected and monitoring traffic will allow you to locate the culprit and restore performance.
Another issue is the exhaustion of DHCP IP addresses. By setting a short range, the router stops accepting new clients when the pool is full. If you suddenly can't connect a device and the range is at its limit , someone else might be using your Wi-Fi and consuming an IP address without permission.
You may also experience brief, intermittent outages: dropped video calls, interrupted downloads, or erratic browsing. A high density of clients simultaneously connected to the access point can cause micro-outages, especially if they are competing on the same band or congested channel.
Security is key: Man-in-the-Middle attacks can spy on your activity or use your connection for illicit purposes. If an intruder infiltrates your network, the privacy and legal liability issues fall on the line owner, so it's best to detect and remove unauthorized devices as soon as possible.
Detect client failures and test connectivity
Viewing the client list helps rule out common problems. Is your Smart TV not streaming? Check if it appears on the network and if it has an IP address. By checking the client inventory on your router or using apps , you can confirm if a device is connecting and when it last connected, thanks to connection/disconnection logs.
If you suspect authentication problems or deauthentication attacks, reviewing the router logs can provide clues. Finding entries of frequent disconnections from the same device indicates interference, a weak signal, or attempts to force it offline.
Some routers display the signal strength received by each client (RSSI). As a reference: approximately -30 to -60 dBm is usually a good signal, -60 to -80 dBm is fair, and below -80 dBm is poor . Brands like ASUS and AVM FRITZ!Box offer this data to help you measure Wi-Fi signal strength and optimize placement.
Prevent intrusions by strengthening security
If you see a mobile phone or computer on the list that you don't recognize, take action. Change your Wi-Fi password as soon as possible, disable WPS, and use WPA3 if your router supports it . Also, change your router's administrator password and save the new credentials in a secure location.
These basic measures are your first line of defense. A strong password, proper encryption, and disabling WPS drastically reduce the risk of unauthorized access. If you detect an intruder, block their MAC address if your router allows it and force your devices to reconnect after changing the password.
How to view devices connected to Wi-Fi using your mobile phone
If you prefer to do it from your phone, there are very intuitive apps for auditing your network. Always download from your system's official store (Google Play or App Store) to avoid malicious apps, and make sure you're connected to your own network before scanning.
Fing
Fing for Android and iOS scans your LAN and instantly lists connected clients, including name, IP address, MAC address, operating system, and manufacturer. It doesn't require registration to view basic information and is ideal for quickly identifying whether a specific device is online . It can also help you detect unknown devices so you can take action.
Who's on my WiFi
This app is designed to detect intruders and offers additional features such as ping, an IP calculator, and port scanning. In addition to security, it allows you to confirm if a specific device is connected , displaying the total count and details for each device.
WiFi thief detector
Specializing in locating unauthorized clients, it displays connected devices with their IP address, MAC address, and type. It's easy to use: simply go to the Devices section and you'll get the complete list , allowing you to manage your network with greater control.
How to see devices connected to your Wi-Fi with Windows
Windows 11 offers free programs that scan the local network and list devices. These are useful for inventorying computers, detecting intruders, or diagnosing whether something that should be connected isn't.
Wireless Network Watcher
This free Windows tool displays connected clients with their name, IP address, and MAC address. Simply run it to get the list in seconds and verify if your console, printer, or TV is actually connected.
Fing (desktop version)
The PC version includes bandwidth monitoring, new device alerts, and even suspicious device detection. With its massive user base, it's a mature suite for keeping your network under control from your computer.
SoftPerfect WiFi Guard
Available in installable and portable versions, it scans the network and displays the name, IP address, and MAC address. Select your adapter, click Scan, and get the inventory to quickly identify devices.
Advanced IP Scanner
Very popular on Windows, it allows you to perform a quick scan by IP range and identify devices by name, IP address, or manufacturer. You can use it in portable mode without installation and discover if what you're looking for is actually online.
Angry IP Scanner
An open-source project that pings ranges, resolves names, and scans ports. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux and is very fast for quick inventories or basic availability checks.
Avast (Wi-Fi Inspector)
If you already use Avast, its Wi-Fi Inspector (even in the free version) shows the devices on your network, lets you tag them, and displays basic details. It's not as comprehensive as a dedicated scanner, but having it installed can be a lifesaver.
Apps from your operator
ISP apps (like Movistar's Smart WiFi or Mi Orange) let you view and manage devices, create profiles, pause/block connections, run tests, and optimize Wi-Fi. Some include a gaming mode, 4K streaming capability detection, or setup help , and display data such as first connection date, IP address, and MAC address.
View connected devices from the router
This is the universal method and requires no installation. First, you need the gateway address, which is usually 192.168.1.1 (sometimes 192.168.0.1). On Windows, open Command Prompt and run "ipconfig" to find the Default Gateway address . Then, type that address into your web browser.
Log in with your router's username and password. If you don't remember them, check the sticker on the device: it will have default or panel-specific credentials . Go into the settings and look for the DHCP or Clients/Devices section; there you will see the name, IP address, and MAC address of each connected device.
The menus vary depending on the model: on an HGU (Movistar) the list is under DHCP; on a Livebox (Orange) it appears under My Local Network, where connected and disconnected devices are separated. On equivalent routers from other operators (Pepephone, Digi, MasMovil, Yoigo, O2, etc.) the location may vary, but there is always a client section.
Good practices to protect your router
Update your firmware to get patches and performance improvements. Many routers update automatically at night, but if not, initiate a manual update from the control panel . This reduces errors and strengthens security.
Use strong passwords for Wi-Fi and the router's control panel. Mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and disable WPS . If your hardware supports it, use WPA3, or at least WPA2/WPA3 transition mode for older devices.
Common sense prevails: only share passwords with those you need, regularly review your client list, and remove devices you no longer use. If your router is very old and doesn't support WPA3 or updates , consider upgrading.
Record and analyze router activity (logs)
All routers log events, but these logs are usually temporary and difficult to read. MyRouter Log allows you to receive router logs via Syslog (UDP 514 by default) and save them to your PC for later review and to maintain a historical record.
After installing the tool on Windows 10 or 11, configure it to listen on the appropriate UDP port and allow access through the firewall. You will see the status in the interface (Listening/Not listening) and the log count . The application can be minimized to the system tray, displaying the last message.
On your router, enable syslog sending to a remote server by specifying your PC's IP address and port. On ASUS routers, for example, this is located in System Log > General Log . From there, the app will begin receiving each event and storing it in a file.
Not all routers and modems support remote syslog. If yours lacks this feature, you won't be able to send logs to MyRouterLog . To interpret warnings or errors, consult specialized forums or the manufacturer's support.
MAC Filtering: Additional control (with limitations)
MAC filtering lets you decide which MAC addresses can connect to your Wi-Fi. Enable it in the Security/Access Control section of your router and create your whitelist by adding the MAC address of each authorized device.
Its advantages: more control, less congestion if you limit simultaneous access, and greater visibility for troubleshooting. However, MAC filtering is not foolproof : MAC addresses can be cloned (MAC spoofing). Use it as an additional layer, not as your sole barrier.
Maintaining your Wi-Fi network to make it perform better
Place the router in a central, elevated, and well-ventilated area, away from sources of interference (TV, microwave, speakers) and without obstructions such as tiled surfaces. The router's position greatly affects coverage and stability , and small adjustments can help you extend your Wi-Fi signal.
Keep your network secure: change your password regularly, hide personal information in the SSID, and limit the number of connected devices. Enable at least WPA2, and preferably WPA3 if available to mitigate brute-force attacks and improve client-side encryption (SAE).
Configure appropriate channels, especially in dense environments. Scan for congestion using apps like WiFi Analyzer and manually select the least congested channel . This reduces interference and improves stability.
If you have dead zones, consider using repeaters, powerline adapters, or a mesh Wi-Fi system, depending on your situation. Choosing the right device for your home will prevent weakening the signal . You can also use an old router as a Wi-Fi repeater to extend coverage without spending too much.
Don't neglect cleanliness and temperature: dust and continuous heat degrade performance. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, and clean ventilation grilles to prevent overheating.
What to do if you detect intruders on your Wi-Fi
Unauthorized access not only slows down your network, but it can also implicate you if crimes are committed from your IP address. Act immediately to remove the unauthorized access and strengthen your network by following these steps:
- Block the device from the list of clients if your router allows it (for example, AVM FRITZ!Box or some ASUS).
- Change your Wi-Fi password for a robust one (12+ characters with mixed types); you will reconnect only your devices.
- Activate WPA3 or, if not possible, WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode.
- Change the router panel password to prevent administrative access.
- Restart the router to apply all the changes and reconnect your legitimate devices one by one.
Make your PC visible (or invisible) on the network in Windows 11
To share files or use your PC as a media server on your LAN, it needs to be discoverable. The first time you go to Explorer > Network, Windows 11 may indicate that network discovery is disabled . Accept the warning and click "Turn on network discovery and file sharing."
If you're on a network marked as public, the system will offer two options: convert it to private (recommended for home or office networks) or allow discovery on public networks (not recommended). On public networks, do not make your device visible for security reasons.
Change network type in Windows 11
Open Settings > Network & Internet > your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and set the profile to Private so other computers on your LAN can see your PC. If you leave it as Public, Windows will automatically hide it.
Center network and sharing
From Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center, review the advanced sharing settings. There you can enable network discovery and file sharing for Private and Public profiles , as well as configure media streaming.
Turn network discovery on or off (Windows 11/10)
Windows allows you to adjust network discovery by profile. In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings and turn Network discovery by network type on or off.
In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Configure network discovery for available profiles as needed.
Check the devices connected directly to the router (step by step)
1) Obtain the gateway address (using `ipconfig` in the command prompt). 2) Log in using your web browser and credentials. 3) Open DHCP/Wireless Clients/My Local Network (depending on your router model). You will see the name, IP address, and MAC address of each device ; some routers also display the signal strength received by each client.
The path may differ between different carrier models, but the function exists. On the Livebox (Orange), you have My Local Network; on the HGU (Movistar), it's DHCP or Connected Devices . The steps are equivalent on Movistar's Smart WiFi 6.
To strengthen security: disable WPS, use WPA3, change administrator credentials, and regularly check client devices. If anything seems amiss, restrict their access, change passwords, and restart.
With these procedures, tools, and settings, you'll have complete control over who uses your Wi-Fi, troubleshoot performance issues, and minimize risks. The combination of device inventory, router logs, and secure configuration ensures a faster, more stable, and more secure network on Windows 11 and any modern router.