The fastest way to change your IP address on Windows 10

The quickest method is to restart your router. Unplug the power cable from the back of your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Your internet service provider will assign your computer a new IP address within a few minutes. This works for most home users and requires no settings changes on your computer.

If restarting the router does not give you a new address, or if you need to set a specific IP address manually, you can change it through Windows 10's network settings. The process takes about five minutes and involves opening your network adapter settings, finding the IPv4 properties, and either switching to automatic assignment or entering a static address you choose yourself.

The method you use depends on whether you want a temporary change (restart the router) or a permanent one (manual settings). Most people need only the router restart. Manual changes are useful if you are troubleshooting a network conflict, setting up a home server, or need your computer to always have the same address on your local network.

Key Takeaways

  • Restarting your router is the simplest way to get a new IP address from your internet service provider within a few minutes.
  • You can manually set a static IP address through Windows 10 Settings > Network & Internet > Change adapter options, then right-clicking your connection and selecting Properties.
  • Static IP addresses are useful for home servers, printers, or devices that need a consistent address, but most home users do not need them.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) and your local IP address (what your home network uses) are different; restarting the router changes the public one.

Restarting your router to get a new IP address

This is the method most people should use. Your internet service provider assigns IP addresses automatically through a process called DHCP. When you restart the router, it loses its connection to the provider and requests a new address when it comes back online.

Locate the power cable at the back of your router. Unplug it completely and wait 30 seconds. This clears the router's memory. Plug the cable back in and wait two to three minutes for all the lights to stabilize. Your computer will receive a new IP address during this time. You can check the new address by opening Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Windows search bar), typing ipconfig, and pressing Enter. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under your active connection.

This method works for most home internet setups. If your internet service provider has assigned you a static IP address (common for business accounts), restarting the router will not change it — you will get the same address back.

Setting a manual static IP address on Windows 10

A static IP address stays the same every time you restart your computer or router. You set it manually instead of letting your router assign one automatically. This is useful if you are running a home server, hosting a game, or need a printer or security camera to always have the same address.

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Click "Change adapter options" on the left side. Right-click the network connection you use (usually "Ethernet" if you are wired, or your Wi-Fi network name if you are wireless) and select Properties. In the window that opens, find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click it once to highlight it, then click Properties.

The IPv4 Properties window has two radio buttons at the top. The first, "Obtain an IP address automatically," is the default setting. Click the second button, "Use the following IP address," to enable manual entry. You will now see three fields: IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway.

Choosing numbers for your static IP address

You cannot use any number you want. Your static address must be in the same range as your router's local network and must not conflict with addresses your router is already handing out automatically.

Most home routers use addresses starting with 192.168.1 or 192.168.0. Your computer's static address should follow the same pattern. For example, if your router uses 192.168.1.1, you might set your computer to 192.168.1.50 or 192.168.1.100. The last number can be anything from 2 to 254, but avoid numbers 1 through 20 (routers often reserve these for automatic assignment) and 255 (which is reserved for broadcast).

To find your router's address and see what range it uses, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "Default Gateway" — that is your router's address. The first three numbers of your static IP should match the first three numbers of the gateway. For the Subnet mask field, enter 255.255.255.0 unless your network uses something different (most home networks do not). Leave the Default gateway field as your router's address.

Completing the static IP setup

After you have entered your IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, click OK. Windows will explore the settings when ready. Your computer now has a static address that will not change when you restart the router or reboot your computer.

Test the connection by opening a web browser and visiting a website. If the page loads, your static IP is working. If you lose internet access, go back to the IPv4 Properties window and double-check that the numbers match your router's range and that you did not accidentally use an address already assigned to another device on your network.

To return to automatic IP assignment at any time, go back to IPv4 Properties and click "Obtain an IP address automatically." Windows will request a new address from your router within seconds.

Understanding public versus local IP addresses

Your computer actually has two IP addresses. The local IP address (also called private IP) is what your home router assigns and is only visible within your home network. The public IP address is what your internet service provider assigns to your router, and it is what websites see when you visit them.

When you restart your router, you are changing your public IP address. When you manually set a static address in Windows settings, you are changing your local IP address. These are separate things. A website cannot see your local IP address, and your router cannot change your public IP through Windows settings — only your internet service provider can do that.

If you need to change your public IP for privacy or troubleshooting reasons, restart the router. If you need to change your local IP because of a network conflict or to set up a server, use the manual static method in Windows settings.

When you might need to change your IP address

Most people never need to change their IP address. However, there are a few situations where it becomes useful. If you are setting up a home server, game server, or security camera system, those devices need a static local IP so they stay reachable at the same address. If you are troubleshooting a network conflict where two devices have the same address, changing one of them resolves the problem. If a website or service is blocking your public IP, restarting the router may give you a new one that is not blocked.

Some people change their IP for privacy reasons, though this is less common. Restarting your router changes your public IP, which can help if you want a different address visible to websites. However, your internet service provider keeps records of which public IPs it assigned to you, so this does not provide true anonymity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address disconnect me from the internet?

Restarting the router will disconnect you briefly (two to three minutes while it restarts), but you will reconnect automatically with a new IP. Manually setting a static IP in Windows settings will not disconnect you — the change happens while you are still online.

Can I set my IP address to any number I want?

No. Your static IP must be in the same range as your router's local network and must not conflict with other devices. Most home routers use 192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x, where x is a number between 2 and 254. Avoid numbers 1 through 20 and 255.

What is the difference between a static IP and a dynamic IP?

A dynamic IP is assigned automatically by your router and can change each time you restart. A static IP is set manually and stays the same. Home users typically use dynamic IPs. Static IPs are useful for servers, printers, or devices that need a consistent address.

Will restarting my router change my public IP address?

Usually yes, but not always. Most internet service providers assign new public IPs when you restart, but some (especially business accounts) assign static public IPs that do not change. If you have a static public IP from your provider, restarting the router will not change it.

How do I know if my IP address actually changed?

Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Write down the IPv4 address shown. After restarting your router or changing your settings, run the command again and compare. If the numbers are different, your IP has changed.