This article will show you how to update the local IP address of a Windows computer. Updating the IP address will resolve problems connecting to a new network or new router. If updating the IP address does not resolve the issue, restart your local (home) network.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using the command line
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Enter Command Prompt
This will search for the Command Line utility.
Step 3. Click "Command Prompt"
This icon is at the top of the Start menu. A command prompt window will open.
Step 4. Enter ipconfig
This command will display the IP address of your computer.
Step 5. Press ↵ Enter
The command will be executed. Several lines of data will appear in the command prompt window.
Step 6. Find your current IP address
In the line "IPv4 address" you will see a series of numbers, for example, 123.456.7.8. This is the current IP address of your computer; the last digit is the serial number of your computer on the network.
When you update your computer's IP address, only the last digit will change (but sometimes it won't even change)
Step 7. Enter the "release" command
Type ipconfig / release and press ↵ Enter. The current IP address is removed and the computer is disconnected from the Internet.
Step 8. Wait a few minutes
To increase the likelihood that the router will change the sequence numbers of computers connected to it, wait at least five minutes before updating the IP address.
If you are in a hurry, skip this step
Step 9. Enter the "renew" command
Enter ipconfig / renew. The computer will get a new IP address and connect to the internet.
- Don't be surprised if the new IP address is the same as the old one - this means that the most suitable IP address for your computer is the old one.
- Now close the Command Prompt window.
Method 2 of 2: How to restart your home network
Step 1. Turn off your computer
Open the start menu
, click the icon
and in the menu, click Shut Down.
Shut down your computer completely to use this method
Step 2. Unplug the power cable from the modem for at least 10 seconds
It's better than turning off the modem using the button on its case.
Step 3. Disconnect the router
If you are using a router with the modem, disconnect it from the modem and from the power source (wall outlet). Step 4. Do not touch the disconnected devices as long as possible.
If possible, leave your modem and router overnight; otherwise, do not touch them for two hours.
This process is called rebooting the router / modem and is the simplest method for troubleshooting network problems
Step 5. Connect your modem and router
It will take some time for these devices to connect to the Internet.
Step 6. Turn on your computer
Press the power button
on the computer case and wait for it to turn on.
Step 7. Connect to the network
You may need to use the factory password and network name of the router (or modem); this information can be found on the bottom or back of the router. When the computer connects to the network, it will receive a new local IP address.
Advice
- The methods described here will only change the local IP address. Internet users do not see your local address (your public address is available to them) because it is assigned by your router or gateway. You can change your public IP address through your internet service provider. To access a blocked website, use a VPN or proxy server.
- Some ISPs assign static IP addresses based on your MAC address. To change the static IP address, contact your ISP.