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

Your computer's IP address is a number that identifies it on a network — either your home network or the internet. When you change your IP address, you're telling your computer to use a different number for that identification. Most of the time your computer gets a new IP address automatically from your router or internet provider, but you can also request a new one manually or change the settings that control how it's assigned.

People change their IP address for a few practical reasons: to fix a network connection that's stuck, to test network settings, to troubleshoot a device that can't reach the internet, or to separate a computer from a network it was previously on. You might also change it if you're setting up a static IP address — one that stays the same instead of changing automatically — so a printer or security camera on your network always knows where to find your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, you can request a fresh IP address through Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or use the Command Prompt command ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi or Network, click Details, and select "Renew DHCP Lease" to get a new IP address from your router.
  • A static IP address (one you set manually) stays the same every time you restart, while a dynamic IP address (assigned automatically) may change.
  • Restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds will also force your computer to request a new IP address when it reconnects.
  • If you set a static IP address incorrectly, your computer may lose internet access — write down your router's IP address and gateway before you change anything.

Requesting a new dynamic IP address on Windows

The fastest way to get a new IP address on Windows is to ask your router for one. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then click the network type you're using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Click Manage next to your current network, then scroll down and click DHCP Assignment. Select Edit, toggle the switch to Manual, then toggle it back to Automatic. This tells your computer to request a fresh address from your router.

If that doesn't work or you prefer the command line, open Command Prompt as administrator. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter — this drops your current IP address. Then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter. Your router will assign you a new one within a few seconds. You can verify the change by typing ipconfig and looking at the "IPv4 Address" line.

Requesting a new dynamic IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings and click Wi-Fi in the sidebar. Click the network you're connected to, then click Details. Go to the TCP/IP tab. Click the button labeled Renew DHCP Lease — this asks your router for a new IP address. The change happens when ready.

If you're using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, the process is the same: go to System Settings, click Network in the sidebar, select your Ethernet connection, click Details, go to TCP/IP, and click Renew DHCP Lease.

Setting a static IP address on Windows

A static IP address is one you set manually that doesn't change. This is useful if you want other devices on your network to always find your computer at the same address. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, click your network type, then click DHCP Assignment and select Edit. Toggle the switch to Manual.

You'll see fields for IPv4 address, Subnet mask, Gateway, and Preferred DNS. Your router assigned you an IPv4 address already — write that down. The subnet mask is usually 255.255.255.0. The gateway is your router's IP address, which you can find by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig — look for "Default Gateway". Enter these details, click Save, and your computer will use that static address from now on.

If your computer loses internet access after setting a static IP, go back to DHCP Assignment and toggle it back to Automatic. This usually means the address you chose was already in use by another device, or the gateway was entered incorrectly.

Setting a static IP address on Mac

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

You'll see fields for IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router, and DNS Servers. Your router has already assigned you an address — write it down before you make changes. The subnet mask is usually 255.255.255.0. The router field is your router's IP address, which you can find by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, holding Option, and looking for "Router". Enter these details and click OK. If you lose internet access, go back to the TCP/IP tab and change "Configure IPv4" back to Using DHCP.

Forcing a new IP address by restarting your router

The simplest way to change your computer's IP address without touching any settings is to restart your router. Unplug the power cable from the back of your router and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the lights to stabilize — usually 2 to 3 minutes. When your computer reconnects, it will request a new IP address from the router.

This method works because most home routers assign addresses using DHCP, which means they hand out a new address each time a device connects. Restarting the router clears its memory of which addresses it has given out, so your computer gets a fresh one. This is also the safest way to change your IP address if you're not comfortable with network settings.

When to call for help

If you've changed your IP address and your computer still can't reach the internet, restart your computer first — sometimes the network driver needs to reset. If that doesn't work and you set a static IP address, switch back to automatic DHCP as described above.

If you're trying to change your IP address to fix a specific problem — like a device not showing up on your network or a printer not printing — the issue may not be the IP address itself. A technician at your internet provider can help if the problem is with your connection to the internet rather than your local network. If it's a device-specific problem, the device's support page usually has troubleshooting steps for network issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address affect my internet speed?

No. Your IP address is just an identifier — it doesn't control how fast data moves. If you're experiencing slow internet, the problem is elsewhere: your router, your connection to your provider, or the website you're visiting. Changing your IP address won't fix speed problems.

Can I choose what IP address I want?

When you request a new dynamic IP address, your router picks one from its available pool — you can't choose it. If you set a static IP address manually, you can pick any number in your router's range, but it must not already be in use by another device. Your router's manual or settings page usually shows which range is safe to use.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.5. IPv6 addresses are longer and use letters and colons: 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. Most home networks still use IPv4, but IPv6 is becoming more common. You can have both at the same time — your computer will use whichever one the network prefers.

If I change my IP address, will websites know it's me?

Websites can see your IP address, but changing it doesn't hide your identity from them. Your internet provider still knows who you are, and websites can track you through cookies and login accounts regardless of your IP address. Changing your IP address is not a privacy tool.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my IP address?

Usually not. When you request a new dynamic IP address or set a static one, the change takes effect within seconds. If your computer doesn't connect to the internet right away, restart it — sometimes the network driver needs to reset. But in most cases, restarting isn't necessary.