This article shows you how to change the local IP address of a Windows computer. This practice can be useful for solving problems related to network connectivity that can occur for example when changing the router or when connecting to a different LAN network. If changing the IP address doesn't fix the problem, you can try restarting the devices that manage your home network.
Summary in 10 Seconds
1. Access the menu Start.
2. Type the keywords command prompt.
3. Select the icon Command Prompt.
4. Type the command ipconfig / release and press the Enter key.
5. Wait five minutes.
6. Type the command ipconfig / renew and press the Enter key.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use the Command Prompt
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Type in command prompt keywords
The computer will search for the Windows "Character Map" application.
Step 3. Click the "Command Prompt" icon
It is visible at the top of the "Start" menu. This will bring up the "Command Prompt" window.
Step 4. Type the ipconfig command
It is used to view the system's network configuration.
Step 5. Press the Enter key
The command entered in the previous step will be executed. Within the "Command Prompt" window a series of information will be displayed.
Step 6. Check the current IP address
On the right of the entry "IPv4 address" there should be a number (for example 123.255.7.8). This is the current IP address assigned to the computer. The last group of digits on the right represents the local address assigned to the device.
When changing the IP address of a device within a LAN, it is only the last group of numbers on the right that must change. In some cases the new address that will be assigned to the device may always be the same
Step 7. Run the "release" network command
Type the command ipconfig / release and press the Enter key. The current IP address assigned to the computer will be released and the system will be disconnected from the internet.
Step 8. Wait a few minutes
In order to increase the chances that the router updates the list of all devices connected to the network, it is advisable to wait at least five minutes before reconnecting the computer to the network.
If you are in a hurry, you can skip this step
Step 9. Run the "renew" command
Type the command ipconfig / renew. After a few seconds the computer's IP address will be reassigned and the internet connection will be restored.
- If the IP address is the same as the previous one, don't be scared it's all normal. This scenario simply indicates that the first available address for the computer is just the one it was previously using.
- At this point you can close the "Command Prompt" window.
Method 2 of 2: Restart the Network Devices
Step 1. Turn off your computer
Access the menu Start clicking the icon
choose the option Stop clicking the icon
then choose the item Shut down the system from the context menu that appeared.
In order to perform this procedure, the computer must be completely shut down
Step 2. Unplug the power cord of the network modem for at least 10 seconds
Forcibly disabling the modem without using its shutdown button, according to industry experts, is the best way to shut down these types of devices.
Step 3. Turn off the network router and unplug the power cord
If there is a network router in addition to the modem, it must also be switched off and disconnected from the power supply.
Step 4. Leave the network devices off for as long as possible
If you can, do this before going to bed and leave them off overnight. If not, if possible, turn them off for at least a couple of hours.
This process is known as "power-cycling" and is often used as a solution to the most common network problems
Step 5. Turn on both the modem and the router again
It may take several minutes for the network connection to be fully reestablished, so please be patient.
Step 6. Turn on your computer
Press the power button of the device which is normally marked with this symbol
then wait for the boot process to finish.
Step 7. Connect to the network
You may need to use the router's (or modem's) default network SSID and password. Both of this information should be printed on a label located on the bottom of the device. When the network connection is re-established the computer will have a new IP address.
Advice
- The procedure described in the article relates to changing the local IP address. This is information that is visible only within the LAN to which the device is connected and this address is usually assigned by the router or network modem. To change the public IP address of your network you will need to contact the connection manager who in turn will have to change certain parameters. If you need to access a website that you don't normally have access to, you can do so using a VPN connection or proxy server.
- Some internet connection providers assign a static IP address based on the MAC address of the device. In this case, if you need to change the IP address, you will need to contact your ISP directly.
