What changing your IP address means and why you might do it

Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network — either your home network or the internet itself. When you change your IP address, you are either getting a new one from your internet service provider (ISP), switching to a different network, or using software to mask the one you have. The method depends on whether you want a new address from your ISP, a temporary change within your home network, or to hide your real address.

Common reasons to change your IP include troubleshooting connection problems, accessing content blocked in your region, improving privacy, or resetting your network after a technical issue. Some people change it to avoid throttling or to test how a website behaves from different locations. The steps are different for each reason, so knowing what you actually need matters before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Restarting your modem and router is the fastest way to get a new IP address from your ISP, and it works on any device without software.
  • On Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can manually set a static IP address through network settings if you want a permanent change on your home network.
  • A VPN (virtual private network) masks your real IP address by routing traffic through a remote server, but it requires paid software or a free service.
  • Your ISP can see when you request a new address, and some ISPs limit how often you can change it, so frequent changes may trigger their attention.
  • Changing your IP address does not hide your activity from your ISP or employer if you are on their network — it only changes the number assigned to you.

Restarting your modem and router to get a new IP from your ISP

The simplest way to change your IP address is to restart the devices that connect you to the internet. Your modem (the box that connects to your ISP) and your router (the box that broadcasts Wi-Fi) both assign and receive IP addresses. When you power them off and back on, your ISP usually assigns your modem a new address within a few minutes.

Unplug the modem first, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for all the lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern — this usually takes two to three minutes. Then unplug the router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another two to three minutes for it to fully restart. Your devices will reconnect automatically, and your public IP address (the one the internet sees) will be different.

This method works on any device — phone, tablet, laptop, desktop — because the change happens at the modem level, not on individual machines. It is also the safest approach because you are not changing settings that could break your connection. The downside is that your ISP assigns the new address, so you cannot choose what it will be, and some ISPs cycle through a limited pool of addresses, so you might get the same one again.

Setting a static IP address on Windows

If you want a permanent IP address on your home network that does not change every time you restart, you can set a static IP on Windows. This is useful if you run a home server, want consistent access to a printer, or need a device to always have the same address. Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet, then Status. Click "Change adapter options" on the right side.

Right-click the network connection you use (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties. Click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and then Properties. Select "Use the following IP address" and enter a static address in the same range as your router — for example, if your router is 192.168.1.1, use something like 192.168.1.50. Enter the subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), the default gateway (your router's address), and a DNS server (8.8.8.8 for Google's DNS works on most networks).

Click OK and close the dialog. Your computer will now use that IP address every time it connects to your home network. If you ever need to switch back to automatic assignment, return to the same screen and select "Obtain an IP address automatically." Be careful not to choose an address that your router might assign to another device — most home routers start at 192.168.1.100, so picking something lower (like 192.168.1.50) is safer.

Setting a static IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings and go to Network. Select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click "Details." Go to the TCP/IP tab. In the "Configure IPv4" dropdown, select "Manually" instead of "Using DHCP."

Enter an IP address in the same range as your router — for example, 192.168.1.50 if your router is 192.168.1.1. Enter the subnet mask (255.255.255.0 on most home networks) and the router address (usually 192.168.1.1). For DNS, enter 8.8.8.8 or your router's address. Click OK and then explore. Your Mac will now use that static address on your home network.

To return to automatic assignment, go back to the same screen, set "Configure IPv4" to "Using DHCP," and click explore. Like Windows, avoid choosing an address that your router's DHCP pool might use — staying below 192.168.1.100 is usually safe.

Using a VPN to mask your IP address

A VPN (virtual private network) does not change your assigned IP address, but it hides it from the websites you visit by routing your traffic through a remote server. When you use a VPN, websites see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours. This is useful for privacy, accessing region-blocked content, or hiding your activity from your ISP — though your ISP can still see that you are using a VPN.

To use a VPN, you install software on your computer and connect to a server in a location of your choice. Popular options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, all of which charge a monthly fee. Some free VPNs exist (ProtonVPN has a free tier), but they are slower and often have data limits. Once connected, all your internet traffic goes through the VPN, so your real IP is hidden from websites.

Keep in mind that a VPN does not make you anonymous — the VPN provider can see your real IP and your traffic. It only hides your address from the websites you visit. Also, some websites and services block VPN traffic, so you may not be able to access them while connected. VPNs are useful for privacy and accessing region-locked content, but they are not a substitute for security software or careful browsing habits.

Changing your IP address on Linux

On Linux, the method depends on your distribution and whether you use a graphical interface or the command line. In most graphical desktop environments (Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint), open Settings or Network Manager, select your connection, and click the gear icon to edit it. Go to the IPv4 tab, switch from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual," and enter your static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server the same way you would on Windows or Mac.

If you prefer the command line, you can edit the network configuration file directly. On Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, this is usually `/etc/netplan/` — open the YAML file for your connection and set a static address there, then run `sudo netplan explore` to set up it. On Red Hat-based systems like Fedora, edit `/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-[interface-name]` and restart the network service. The exact steps vary by distribution, so check your system's documentation if you are unsure.

What your ISP and network administrator can see

If you change your IP address on your home network using a static address or VPN, your ISP still knows your real public IP — the one assigned to your modem. They can see every device on your network and when you connect and disconnect. Changing your internal IP address does not hide anything from them.

If you are on a work network or school network, your network administrator can see all your traffic regardless of what IP address you use internally. A VPN might hide your traffic from the network, but many employers and schools block VPN software entirely. Changing your IP address is not a way to hide activity from your ISP or network administrator — it only changes the number assigned to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address make websites load faster?

No. Your IP address does not affect speed — your internet connection speed does. Changing your IP might help if you are being throttled by your ISP based on your address, but this is rare. If websites are slow, the problem is usually your connection, the website's server, or your device, not your IP address.

Can I change my IP address to a different country?

You cannot change your assigned IP to a different country — your ISP assigns it based on your location. A VPN can route your traffic through a server in another country, so websites see that country's IP address instead of yours. This works for accessing region-locked content, but your ISP still knows your real location.

How often can I change my IP address?

You can restart your modem as often as you want, but your ISP may not assign a new address every time — they often cycle through a pool of addresses. Some ISPs limit how often you can request a new address, and frequent requests might trigger their fraud detection. Restarting once a day is usually fine; restarting multiple times per hour may cause problems.

Does changing my IP address hide me from hackers?

Changing your IP address does not protect you from hackers. If someone has your address, changing it helps, but hackers usually target vulnerabilities in software or weak passwords, not specific IP addresses. Use strong passwords, keep your software updated, and use antivirus software — these matter far more than your IP address.

What is the difference between a static IP and a dynamic IP?

A dynamic IP address changes periodically (usually when you restart your modem) and is assigned by your ISP. A static IP stays the same and is either set manually on your device or purchased from your ISP as a paid service. Static IPs are useful for servers or devices you need to access consistently, but they cost more and are less common for home internet.