Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig

The fastest way to see your IP address is through Command Prompt, a text-based program built into Windows. Press the Windows key and type cmd, then press Enter. A black window will open with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The screen will fill with network information. Look for the section labeled Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter — whichever one you use to connect to the internet. Your IPv4 Address is the number you need, usually formatted as four groups of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.5.

If you have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected, you will see both sections. Only the one you are actively using matters for your current connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key and typing cmd, then press Enter.
  • Type ipconfig and press Enter to display all your network settings at once.
  • Find your IPv4 Address under either the Ethernet or Wireless LAN adapter section, depending on how you connect.
  • The IPv4 Address is the four-part number (like 192.168.1.5) that identifies your device on your home network.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, use ipconfig /all and look for the Default Gateway, or search "what is my IP" in a browser.

Understanding what ipconfig shows you

The ipconfig command displays several pieces of information, but most of it you do not need. The IPv4 Address is your device's private address — the one other devices on your home network use to find you. This is what you need if you are setting up a printer, connecting a smart home device, or troubleshooting why something cannot reach your computer.

Below the IPv4 Address you will see Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. The subnet mask defines which devices are on your same network. The default gateway is your router — the device that connects you to the internet. You rarely need to change these, but they appear here so you can see what your network is configured to do.

The DNS Servers listed are the services that translate web addresses like google.com into IP addresses your computer can use. Most home networks use the DNS servers your internet provider assigned, but some people change these for privacy or speed.

Getting more detail with ipconfig /all

If you need additional information — like your MAC address, DHCP status, or your public IP address — type ipconfig /all instead of just ipconfig. This shows every network setting your computer has, including details most people never need.

The Physical Address in this output is your MAC address, a unique identifier for your device's network card. Some networks use MAC addresses to control which devices can connect. The DHCP Enabled line tells you whether your router is automatically assigning your IP address (it usually is) or whether you set it manually.

Note that ipconfig /all does not show your public IP address — the one the outside internet sees. For that, you need to search "what is my IP" in any web browser, or contact your internet provider.

Releasing and renewing your IP address

Sometimes your device gets stuck with an IP address that no longer works, or you want to force your router to assign you a fresh one. You can do this from Command Prompt without restarting anything.

Type ipconfig /release and press Enter. This tells your router you are giving up your current IP address. Then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter. Your router will assign you a new one, usually within a few seconds. Run ipconfig again to see your new IPv4 Address.

This fixes many connection problems where your device cannot reach the network or keeps dropping. It is harmless to do and takes less than a minute.

Flushing your DNS cache

Your computer remembers which IP addresses go with which website names — this memory is called the DNS cache. Sometimes this cache gets out of date and your computer tries to reach a website at an old address. You can clear it from Command Prompt.

Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You will see a message saying the DNS Resolver Cache was flushed. This does not change your IP address — it just clears the list of websites your computer has visited and their addresses. After you flush the cache, your computer will ask your DNS server for fresh information the next time you visit a website.

This is useful if a website moved to a new server and you keep getting an error, or if you changed your DNS settings and want to make sure your computer uses the new ones right away.

Running Command Prompt as administrator

Most ipconfig commands work fine in a regular Command Prompt window. However, if you are trying to release and renew your IP address and get an error message, you may need administrator permission.

Press the Windows key, type cmd, and instead of pressing Enter, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. A dialog box will ask if you want to allow this program to make changes to your device — click Yes. The Command Prompt window that opens will have administrator rights, and commands like ipconfig /release will work even if they failed before.

You only need administrator mode for commands that change your network settings. Looking up your IP address with plain ipconfig never requires it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig?

You see one address for each network connection your computer has. If you have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi enabled, you will see both. Only the one you are actively using to reach the internet matters. If you are plugged in with Ethernet, use that address. If you are on Wi-Fi, use the wireless one.

Is my IPv4 address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your IPv4 address (like 192.168.1.5) is private — it only works on your home network. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you visit a website. To find your public IP, search "what is my IP" in a browser. Your router translates between the two.

What does it mean if ipconfig shows 169.254 as my IP address?

That means your computer could not reach your router to get a real IP address. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once it boots up, run ipconfig /renew in Command Prompt. Your computer should get a proper address in the 192.168 range.

Can I change my IP address using ipconfig?

ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew ask your router for a new address, but you cannot pick a specific one. If you need a permanent IP address that never changes, you have to set it in your router's settings or in your computer's network settings, not in Command Prompt.

Do I need to restart my computer after running ipconfig commands?

No. Commands like ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, and ipconfig /flushdns take effect when ready. You will see the changes right away when you run ipconfig again. Restarting is not necessary unless something else is wrong with your network.