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 in your network settings. The automatic method takes seconds and works for most people. The manual method gives you control over the exact address and is useful if you need your computer to keep the same IP every time it connects.

Which route you take depends on what you're trying to do. If you just want a different IP — to reset a connection, bypass a temporary block, or troubleshoot a network problem — the automatic method is faster. If you're setting up a server, a printer on your network, or a device that other machines need to find reliably, you'll want the static method.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest way to get a new IP is to restart your router or use the "Release and Renew" command in Windows, both taking under a minute.
  • To set a static IP address, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, and choose "Edit" to enter a fixed address manually.
  • Your router's DHCP settings control whether it hands out addresses automatically or whether you can set them manually — check your router's admin panel if Windows won't let you save a static address.
  • A static IP stays the same every time you restart, while a dynamic IP may change; use static only for devices that need a permanent address on your network.
  • If you change your IP and lose internet, restart your router or switch back to automatic assignment in Windows to restore the connection.

Getting a New IP Address Automatically

The fastest way to change your IP is to release the current one and ask your router for a new one. Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator." Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /release

Wait a few seconds, then type this command and press Enter:

ipconfig /renew

Your router will assign you a new IP address within seconds. You can verify the change by typing ipconfig and looking at the "IPv4 Address" line. This method works because your router's DHCP server (the part that hands out addresses) will give you a different one when you ask for a fresh lease.

If the command method feels unfamiliar, you can also restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. When it boots up, your computer will request a new IP. This takes longer but accomplishes the same thing.

Setting a Static IP Address in Windows Settings

If you need your computer to keep the same IP every time it connects, you'll set a static address. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Network & Internet, then select your connection type — either Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

If you're on Ethernet, click the connection name. If you're on Wi-Fi, click your network name, then scroll down and click "Edit." Under "IP settings," change the dropdown from "Automatic (DHCP)" to Manual. Toggle on the IPv4 switch.

You'll now see fields for IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway. Enter the static address you want to use. For a home network, use an address in the range your router uses — typically 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X, where X is a number between 2 and 254. Check your router's manual or admin panel to see what range it assigns. Set the Subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the Gateway to your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

Click Save. Your computer will now use that IP address every time it connects to the network.

Finding Your Router's IP and DHCP Range

Before you set a static IP, you need to know what range your router uses. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type ipconfig. Look for "Default Gateway" — that's your router's IP address. Write it down.

Open a web browser and type that address into the address bar (for example, 192.168.1.1). You'll be prompted to log in. Use the username and password printed on your router, or check the router's manual. Once logged in, look for DHCP settings or a section called "Local Network" or "LAN." This will show you the range of addresses your router can assign — for example, 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.254. Choose a static address outside this range, such as 192.168.1.50, to avoid conflicts.

If you can't access your router's admin panel, use the range 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.99 for static addresses on a home network, which is usually safe.

What to Do If Your Static IP Doesn't Work

If you set a static IP and lose internet connection, the most common cause is that the address conflicts with another device on your network or falls within your router's DHCP range. Go back to Settings, switch the IP setting back to "Automatic (DHCP)," and click Save. Your connection should return within seconds.

Another reason static IPs fail is if your router's DHCP server is set to assign addresses in a very wide range. Log into your router's admin panel and check the DHCP range. If it covers most addresses (for example, 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254), you may not have room for a static address. You can either narrow the DHCP range in the router settings or use an address outside the range your router recognizes — though this is less reliable.

If you're still unable to save a static address in Windows, your router may have DHCP set to mandatory. Check your router's manual or contact your internet provider to see if you can disable or adjust this setting.

When to Use Static vs. Automatic IP Addresses

Use automatic (DHCP) for everyday use on laptops, tablets, and phones. Your router handles everything, and you don't have to think about it. Use static for devices that need a permanent address: a desktop computer running a server, a network printer, a security camera, or any device that other machines on your network need to find at the same address every time.

If you're troubleshooting a network problem or trying to reset your connection, use the automatic release-and-renew method. It's faster than setting a static address and doesn't require you to know your router's settings. Save static addresses for situations where you actually need the IP to stay the same.

Checking Your Current IP Address

To see what IP address Windows is currently using, open Command Prompt as administrator and type ipconfig. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under your active connection. This is the address your router assigned (if automatic) or the one you set manually (if static).

You can also see your public IP address — the one the internet sees — by opening a browser and searching "what is my IP." This is different from your local IP and is controlled by your internet provider, not by Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address disconnect me from the internet?

No. When you release and renew your IP, Windows stays connected the whole time — it just gets a new address from your router. If you set a static IP incorrectly, you may lose connection, but switching back to automatic will restore it when ready.

Can I change my public IP address from Windows?

No. Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider and changes only when you restart your modem or contact them. Changing your local IP in Windows does not affect your public IP.

Do I need administrator access to change my IP?

Yes. You must run Command Prompt as administrator to use the release and renew commands. To set a static IP in Settings, you also need administrator rights on your Windows account.

What happens if two devices have the same static IP?

Both devices will have connection problems because the network can't tell them apart. If this happens, go back to automatic DHCP on one of them, or choose a different static address for one device.

How often should I change my IP address?

There's no need to change it regularly. Change it only when troubleshooting a connection problem, setting up a device that needs a permanent address, or if you're blocked by a service and want to reset your connection.