Refresh Your IP Address on a Windows Computer

Are you constantly getting disconnected from your network? Is your router giving you headaches? Refreshing your IP address can help you troubleshoot frustrating network connections. The process is quick, no matter which version of Windows you’re using.

Steps

Using the Command Prompt

  1. Open the command prompt. While the command prompt is the same no matter which version of Windows you’re using, more recent versions of Windows will need to run it “as administrator” to refresh the IP address. [1]
    • Windows Vista, 7, 8, or newer: Open the Start menu and click “Search” (or tap the magnifying glass icon). Type cmd (don’t press Enter). Right-click on the cmd you just typed and select “Run as Administrator.” If a User Account Control message asks for confirmation, click “Yes.” [2]
    • Windows 98, XP, NT, and 2000: Click the Start button and select “Run” from the menu. Type cmd into the blank and press Enter.
  2. View your IP address. Type ipconfig at the prompt and press Enter. Your IP address will be listed next to “IPV4 address” in most versions of Windows, and next to “IP address” in older versions.
  3. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter. Be sure there is a space between ipconfig and /release. Your computer will now “lose” its IP address.
  4. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter. Windows 98 users should use ipconfig /renew all. This will refresh your PC’s IP address.
  5. Type ipconfig to view your IP information. Refreshing the IP will almost always change your computer’s IP address to a new one on the same network segment, e.g., 176.58.103.10 to 176.58.103.59, so don’t be alarmed if your new address looks very similar to your old one.
  6. Exit the command prompt by clicking the X in the top right corner of the window. You can also exit the screen by typing exit at the command prompt and hitting the Enter key.

Rebooting your Home Network

  1. Shut down your computer. Doing a restart/reboot isn’t enough—you’ll need to safely shut your computer down and leave it off while you perform the rest of this method. Leaving the computer plugged is fine, as long as it’s turned off.
    • Windows 8: hold down ⊞ Win+C to open the Charms menu, then click “Power.” Choose “Shut Down” from the menu. [3]
    • Windows 8.1 and later: Click the Start button and select “Power.” Choose “Shut Down” from the menu.
    • All other versions of Windows: Click the Start button and choose “Shut Down.”
  2. Unplug the power cable from your modem for at least 10 seconds. Unplugging (instead of hitting a button on the device) is recommended by experts as the best way to power it down. [4]
  3. Unplug the power cable from your wireless router or gateway (if you are using one). You’ll want both devices to be without power at the same time.
  4. Plug the modem back. It may take several minutes for your modem to reconnect to the Internet. Most modems have an “Internet” light that goes solid (green or yellow) once it’s back online.
  5. Plug in and start your separate router or gateway (if you have one) after the modem has reconnected. It’s important that the modem reconnects before you turn the router or wireless gateway back on.
  6. Turn on your computer. Once your computer has booted up, connect it to the network as you normally do. It will form a new connection with the router and gateway. Once you’ve done this, you’re finished refreshing your IP address.

Tips

  • If you’re behind a router, understand that these methods will only change your local IP address. The rest of the world cannot see your local address, as it is assigned by your router or gateway. Changing the address that the outside world sees requires a specific configuration from your ISP. If you are trying to access a blocked website, you’ll need to use a VPN or proxy server.
  • Some ISPs assign static IP addresses based on your MAC address. If you want to change your static IP address, you’ll need to contact your ISP.
  • If your IP address starts with 169.254, then you are not connected to the Internet. Addresses starting with 169.254 are assigned automatically by Windows when Windows is unable to contact an Internet (DHCP) server for an address.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://techjourney.net/how-to-open-elevated-command-prompt-as-administrator-with-admin-privileges-in-windows/
  2. ↑ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490921.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.pcworld.com/article/2012202/how-to-shut-down-windows-8.html
  4. ↑ http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19755/~/how-to-power-cycle-your-home-network
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