The Two Ways to Change Your IP Address on Windows 10

You can change your IP address on Windows 10 in two ways: let your router assign you a new one automatically, or manually set a static IP address yourself. The automatic method takes about two minutes and works for most people. The manual method gives you control over the exact address but requires you to know what numbers to use.

Which one you need depends on why you want to change it. If your internet is slow or you're having connection problems, restarting your router often solves it and assigns you a fresh IP. If you're setting up a device that needs to stay at the same address—like a printer or security camera on your home network—you'll want the static method instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Restarting your router is the fastest way to get a new IP address; it usually takes effect within two minutes.
  • To set a static IP address, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, and choose Edit under IP settings.
  • You need four pieces of information to set a static IP: the address itself, a subnet mask, a default gateway, and a DNS server address.
  • If you don't know what static IP address to use, check your router's manual or admin panel to see what range is safe to use.
  • Changing your IP address does not hide your activity from your internet provider or protect your privacy online.

Restart Your Router to Get a New IP Address Automatically

The simplest way to change your IP address is to power off your router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. When your router restarts, it will assign your Windows 10 computer a new IP address from its pool of available addresses. This usually happens within one to two minutes of the router coming back online.

To do this, unplug the power cable from the back of your router, count to 30, and plug it back in. Wait for the lights on the front to stabilize—usually two to three minutes. Your computer will automatically request a new IP address once the router is ready. You don't need to change any settings on Windows itself.

This method works because most home routers use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which means they hand out temporary addresses that change over time. Restarting the router clears its memory of which addresses it has given out, so your computer gets a different one.

Set a Static IP Address Through Windows Settings

If you need your computer to keep the same IP address every time it connects, you'll set a static IP address manually. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it from the results.

Once Settings is open, click Network & Internet on the left side. Select the type of connection you use—either Wi-Fi or Ethernet—depending on how your computer connects to the internet. If you use Wi-Fi, click the network you're connected to. If you use Ethernet, you'll see the option directly.

Scroll down and look for IP settings. You'll see a button that says Edit. Click it, and a window will open. At the top, change the dropdown from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual. This unlocks the fields where you can type in your new IP address.

Enter the Four Pieces of Information Your Network Needs

Once you switch to Manual, you'll see four fields to fill in: IPv4 address, Subnet mask, Default gateway, and Preferred DNS. You need all four to make the connection work.

The IPv4 address is the address you're assigning to your computer. For a home network, it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. A safe choice is 192.168.1.100 or higher, as long as it doesn't conflict with other devices. The Subnet mask for most home networks is 255.255.255.0. The Default gateway is almost always your router's address, which is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. The Preferred DNS can be your router's address, or you can use a public DNS like 8.8.8.8 (Google's DNS).

If you're not sure what numbers to use, check your router's manual or log into its admin panel. Most routers have a sticker on the back with the admin address and login details. Once you log in, you can see what IP range is safe to use without conflicting with other devices on your network.

Save Your Changes and Verify the New Address

After you fill in all four fields, click the Save button. Windows will explore the new static IP address when ready. Your internet connection may drop for a few seconds while the change takes effect, then reconnect with the new address.

To confirm the change worked, open the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type "cmd," and select Command Prompt from the results. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your network connection. It should show the address you just set.

If the address doesn't match what you entered, or if you have no internet connection, go back to Settings and double-check that all four fields are correct. A single wrong number will break the connection.

Switch Back to Automatic IP Assignment

If you set a static IP address and later want to go back to automatic assignment, the process is the same. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, and click Edit under IP settings. Change the dropdown from Manual back to Automatic (DHCP), then click Save.

Windows will request a new address from your router within a few seconds. You don't need to restart anything. This is useful if you're moving your computer to a different network or if you no longer need it to stay at a fixed address.

What Changing Your IP Address Does and Does Not Do

Changing your IP address on Windows 10 does not hide your activity from your internet provider or make you anonymous online. Your provider can still see all the traffic coming from your home network, regardless of what IP address your individual computer uses. It also does not protect you from viruses, malware, or hackers.

What it does do is help you troubleshoot connection problems, may support a device stays reachable at the same address on your home network, or reset your connection if something is stuck. For most people, restarting the router is the only IP change they'll ever need to make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address fix my slow internet?

Sometimes. If your router has assigned your computer an address that's causing interference or conflicts with another device, a fresh IP can help. Restarting your router is the easiest way to test this. If the speed doesn't improve after a restart, the problem is likely elsewhere—your internet plan, your router's distance from your computer, or congestion on your provider's network.

Can I use any IP address I want?

No. On your home network, you can only use addresses in the range your router allows. Most home routers use 192.168.1.0 to 192.168.1.255 or 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.0.255. Using an address outside this range or one already taken by another device will break your connection. Check your router's manual to see what range is safe.

What if I forget what static IP address I set?

Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your network connection. That's the address you set. You can also go back to Settings, Network & Internet, and click Edit to see what you entered.

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

No. Windows applies the change when ready, though your internet connection may drop for a few seconds. You only need to restart if the change doesn't take effect after waiting a minute or two.

Is it safe to set a static IP address on my computer?

Yes, as long as you use an address in the range your router allows and don't use an address that's already assigned to another device. If two devices have the same IP address, both will have connection problems. Check your router's settings to see which addresses are in use before you pick one.