Change SSID while clients are connected

If I change the SSID on a WiFi router, will all clients be disconnected?

Or is it possible somehow to change the SSID and keep the connections of the connected clients?

Solution 1:

I've done this before - with a spare router running as an AP, and they will get disconnected.

In my specific case I used a laptop with a 802.11n 150mbps adaptor built in, connecting to an asus RT-N56U running in AP mode. You're likely to get the same results with another AP.

While I was messing with my router, I've also checked changing the password (same effect).

Any major change to your AP settings is likely to knock all of your clients offline, and you'll need to set them up again. What you want is not possible.