Change Your IP Address Through Network Settings

The fastest way to change your IP address on Windows 11 is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you use a wired connection). Select your current network, then click Edit next to "IP assignment." Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual, then turn on IPv4. You can now type in a new IP address in the field that appears.

Before you enter a new address, you need to know what range is safe to use on your network. Most home networks use addresses that start with 192.168 or 10.0. Your router assigns addresses in a specific range — typically 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.254 for home networks. Pick an address within that range but outside the range your router normally hands out. For example, if your router assigns 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, use something like 192.168.1.50 instead. After you enter the address, you will also need to fill in the Subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0) and Gateway (usually your router's address, often 192.168.1.1). Click Save when you are done.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, and click Edit next to IP assignment to switch from automatic to manual.
  • Choose an IP address within your network's range but outside the addresses your router normally assigns to avoid conflicts.
  • You must also enter your subnet mask and gateway address, which you can find by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig.
  • If you want your device to get a new address automatically from your router instead, switch the setting back to Automatic (DHCP).
  • Restarting your device or reconnecting to the network will explore the change, though it usually takes effect when ready.

Find Your Current Network Information Before You Change

You need three pieces of information to set a manual IP address: the IP address itself, the subnet mask, and the gateway. The easiest way to find what your network uses is to check your current settings. Right-click the Start button, select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and type ipconfig. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). You will see your current IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway listed there.

Write down these three pieces of information. Your subnet mask is almost always 255.255.255.0 on a home network, and your gateway is almost always your router's address (often 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1). Once you have this information, you can safely pick a new IP address in the same range. For instance, if your current address is 192.168.1.105, you could change it to 192.168.1.110 or 192.168.1.150 — just make sure the new address is not one your router is already using.

Use Command Prompt for a Faster Change

If you prefer typing commands over clicking through menus, you can change your IP address in Command Prompt. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Type the following command, replacing the values with your own network information:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="Ethernet" static 192.168.1.110 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

Replace "Ethernet" with "Wi-Fi" if you use a wireless connection. Replace 192.168.1.110 with the new IP address you want, 255.255.255.0 with your subnet mask, and 192.168.1.1 with your gateway address. Press Enter and the change takes effect when ready. To switch back to automatic addressing, type:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="Ethernet" dhcp

Avoid IP Address Conflicts on Your Network

The most common mistake when changing your IP address is picking one that another device is already using. This creates a conflict and can cause both devices to lose network access. To prevent this, never use an address that your router is actively assigning. Most routers have a setting called the DHCP range — this is the pool of addresses the router hands out automatically. If you do not know your router's DHCP range, pick an address near the beginning of your network's range (like 192.168.1.10 or 192.168.1.20) and you will almost certainly be safe.

Another way to avoid conflicts is to check your router's connected devices list before you pick a new address. Log into your router by typing its address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser. Look for a section called "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients" and see what addresses are in use. Pick an address that is not on that list. If you do accidentally create a conflict, Windows will usually warn you with a notification. straightforward go back to Settings and pick a different address.

Switch Back to Automatic IP Assignment

If you want your device to get a new address from your router automatically instead of using a fixed one, the process is straightforward. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, and click Edit next to IP assignment. Change the setting back to Automatic (DHCP) and click Save. Your device will request a new address from your router the next time it connects to the network.

Automatic addressing is the default for most devices and is usually the best choice for home networks. It prevents conflicts because your router keeps track of which addresses are in use. You only need to set a manual address if you want a device to keep the same IP address permanently, which is useful for printers, security cameras, or computers you access remotely.

Understand When You Might Need a Fixed IP Address

Most of the time, letting your router assign an address automatically is the right choice. However, some situations call for a fixed IP address. If you set up port forwarding on your router to reach a device from outside your home network, that device needs a fixed address so the router knows where to send the traffic. Similarly, if you run a home server or want to access a printer by its IP address, a fixed address makes it easier because the address never changes.

Another reason to use a fixed address is to avoid the rare situation where your router assigns a new address to a device and breaks a connection you have set up. For most everyday use — browsing, email, streaming — automatic addressing works perfectly and requires no setup on your part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address affect my internet speed?

No. Your IP address is just a label that identifies your device on the network. Changing it does not affect how fast data moves to and from your device. Speed depends on your internet connection, router, and the websites or services you are using.

Can I use any IP address I want?

No. You must use an address within your network's range. For most home networks, that means starting with 192.168.1 or 10.0. Using an address outside that range will disconnect your device from the network. You also cannot use an address that another device is already using.

What happens if I pick an IP address that is already in use?

Windows will usually detect the conflict and show you a warning. Both devices may lose network access until you change one of the addresses. If this happens, go back to Settings and pick a different address, or switch back to automatic assignment.

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

No. The change takes effect when ready in most cases. You may need to close and reopen your browser or reconnect to Wi-Fi, but a full restart is not required.

How do I find my router's IP address?

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Look for "Default Gateway" in the output — that is your router's address, usually 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1. You can also check the sticker on the back of your router.