How to Change Your Windows 10 IP Address

Change Your IP Address in Windows 10 Settings

You can change your Windows 10 IP address through the Settings app in about five minutes. The process differs slightly depending on whether you want a static IP address (one that stays the same) or a dynamic IP address (one assigned automatically by your router). Most home users need static, especially if you're setting up a printer, security camera, or game console that needs to find your computer reliably.

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Network & Internet. Select Ethernet (if you're plugged in with a cable) or Wi-Fi (if you're wireless). Click on your active connection name, then scroll down and select Edit under IP settings. Choose Manual, turn on IPv4, and enter your new IP address, subnet mask, and gateway—then save.

Key Takeaways

Static IP addresses stay the same every time you restart; dynamic ones change based on your router's assignment, and most home networks use dynamic by default.
You need four pieces of information to set a static IP: the IP address itself, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses—your router's admin page shows all of these.
Windows 10 Settings is faster than Command Prompt for most users, but Command Prompt works if Settings is giving you trouble.
After you change your IP address, restart your computer and check that other devices can still reach it, especially if you use it as a server or shared printer.

Find Your Router's Information Before You Start

Before you change anything, write down the information your router is currently using. Open Command Prompt (right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal or Command Prompt) and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type—Ethernet or Wireless LAN. Write down the IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Servers.

You can also log into your router's admin page directly. Open a browser and type your gateway address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. Log in with the username and password printed on your router—if you've changed it and forgotten it, you'll need to factory reset the router. Once inside, look for DHCP settings or IP Pool to see what range of addresses your router can assign, so you pick a static address outside that range.

Set a Static IP Address in Windows 10 Settings

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Network & Internet on the left side. If you use an Ethernet cable, click Ethernet; if you use Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi. Under Related settings, click Change adapter options (or scroll down and click the name of your active connection, then Edit).

If you clicked Change adapter options, right-click your active connection and select Properties. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Select Use the following IP address and enter the static address you want to use—for example, 192.168.1.100 if your router's range is 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.50. Enter the subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), the default gateway (your router's IP, usually 192.168.1.1), and the DNS server addresses (you can use 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google's public DNS, or your router's IP). Click OK and close the window.

If you used the Settings app route instead, toggle the IPv4 switch to On under Manual. Enter your IP address, subnet mask, and gateway in the fields that appear. Scroll down to Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS and enter your DNS servers. Click Save at the bottom.

Change Your IP Address Using Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click the Start button, select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and click Yes). Type the command below, replacing the values with your own information:

netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

Replace "Ethernet" with "Wi-Fi" if you're on wireless. Replace 192.168.1.100 with your new IP, 255.255.255.0 with your subnet mask, and 192.168.1.1 with your gateway. Press Enter. Then set your DNS servers with this command:

netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet" static 8.8.8.8

Press Enter, then type the same command again but replace 8.8.8.8 with 8.8.4.4 to set a secondary DNS. Close Command Prompt and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Verify Your New IP Address Is Working

After you restart, open Command Prompt again and type ipconfig to confirm your new static IP is active. The IPv4 Address field should show the address you just set. Try pinging another device on your network to make sure communication works—open Command Prompt and type ping 192.168.1.1 (using your gateway address). If you see replies, your network connection is working.

If other computers or devices on your network need to reach this computer—like a printer driver, a game server, or a shared folder—test those connections now. If they fail, the new IP address may be conflicting with another device. Return to Settings or Command Prompt and pick a different address, making sure it's outside your router's DHCP range.

Switch Back to Dynamic IP If You Need To

If you set a static IP and later want to return to automatic assignment, the process reverses. In Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, click Edit, and toggle IPv4 to Off. In Command Prompt, type netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet" dhcp (replacing "Ethernet" with "Wi-Fi" if needed) and netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet" dhcp. Restart your computer and Windows will request a new dynamic address from your router.

Most home networks run on dynamic IP by default because it's simpler—your router handles all the assignment. Switch to static only if you need a computer to stay at the same address for a specific reason, like hosting a game server, running a printer, or accessing it remotely by IP.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is picking a static IP address that falls inside your router's DHCP range. If your router assigns addresses from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.50, and you pick 192.168.1.30, your router might assign that same address to another device, causing a conflict. Always pick an address above your DHCP range—for example, 192.168.1.100 or higher.

Another mistake is forgetting to restart after changing your IP in Command Prompt. The command takes effect when ready in some cases, but restarting ensures all services recognize the change. If you change your IP and can't reach the internet or other devices, restart first before troubleshooting further.

Do not use 192.168.1.1 (your gateway) as your static IP. Do not use an address already assigned to another device on your network. If you're unsure whether an address is in use, ping it from Command Prompt first—if you get no reply, it's safe to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address disconnect me from the internet?

No, as long as you stay within your local network range (usually 192.168.x.x) and use the correct gateway and DNS servers. If you enter the wrong gateway or DNS, you'll lose internet access—in that case, return to Settings or Command Prompt and correct the values.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 uses four numbers separated by dots (192.168.1.100); IPv6 uses longer hexadecimal addresses. Most home networks still use IPv4. Windows 10 supports both, but unless you specifically need IPv6, stick with IPv4.

Can I use any IP address I want?

No. You must use an address in your local network range—usually 192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x. Check your router's settings to see what range it uses, then pick an address outside the DHCP pool to avoid conflicts with other devices.

Do I need to change my IP address to improve internet speed?

Changing your IP address itself won't speed up your internet. A static IP is useful for reliability and remote access, not speed. If you're experiencing slow speeds, the issue is usually your router, your internet service provider, or network congestion—not your IP address.

What should I do if I can't access the internet after changing my IP?

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to verify your settings. Check that your gateway and DNS servers are correct—they should match what you saw in your router's settings. If they're wrong, correct them and restart. If you're still stuck, switch back to dynamic IP and contact your internet service provider.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.