When and why you need to reset your IP address

Resetting your IP address means telling your router to ask your internet service provider for a new one. This fixes most situations where your internet stops working but your router still has power — the connection is stuck, not broken. A reset usually takes two to five minutes and requires no technical knowledge.

Your router gets an IP address automatically from your ISP through a process called DHCP. Sometimes that address gets corrupted or your ISP stops recognizing it, and your devices can no longer reach the internet even though the router is on. Resetting forces your router to request a fresh address and start over.

This is different from restarting your router, which just turns it off and back on. A reset clears the old IP address completely and asks for a new one. Most of the time, restarting alone fixes the problem — try that first. If restarting does not work after five minutes, a reset is the next step.

Key Takeaways

  • Resetting your IP address tells your router to request a new one from your ISP, which fixes most internet outages where the router is powered on but devices cannot connect.
  • Always restart your router first by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in — this solves the problem most of the time.
  • If restarting does not work, you can reset the IP address through your router's settings menu without losing your Wi-Fi password or other configurations.
  • The reset process takes two to five minutes and requires only a web browser; you do not need to call your ISP unless the problem continues after the reset.

Restart your router first

Before resetting your IP address, restart your router. This solves the problem in most cases and takes only a few minutes. Unplug the power cable from the back of your router — the one that plugs into the wall outlet, not the cable that comes from your modem.

Wait 30 seconds. This gives the router time to fully power down. Then plug the power cable back in. The router will take two to three minutes to restart. Wait until all the lights on the front stop blinking and settle into their normal pattern — usually a solid light or a slow blink.

Once the lights are stable, try opening a website on your phone or computer. If the internet works, you are done. If it still does not work after five minutes, move to the next step.

Access your router's settings through a web browser

To reset your IP address, you need to open your router's settings page in a web browser. This page lives on your router itself, not on the internet. You can reach it from any device connected to your Wi-Fi, even if that device has no internet access.

Open a web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. In the address bar at the top, type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. This is the standard address where most home routers keep their settings. If nothing appears after 10 seconds, try 192.168.0.1 instead — some routers use this address.

If neither address works, look at the back or bottom of your router for a sticker. It will show the router model and usually lists the correct address. You can also search online for "[your router model] default IP address" to find it.

Log in with your router's default username and password

When you reach your router's settings page, a login screen will appear asking for a username and password. These are not your Wi-Fi password — they are separate credentials that protect the router's settings.

Most routers use admin as the username and admin or password as the password. Try those first. If they do not work, check the sticker on your router — it usually lists the default login. You can also search online for "[your router model] default username password".

If you changed these credentials before and cannot remember them, you will need to perform a factory reset on the router itself. This erases all your settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password. Look for a small reset button on the back of the router, press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen, then log in with the default credentials again.

Find the WAN or Internet settings and renew your IP address

Once you are logged in, look for a section called WAN, Internet, Network, or Connection. The exact name varies by router brand. This section controls how your router connects to your ISP.

Inside this section, look for a button or option that says Renew, Release and Renew, Refresh, or Obtain IP Address. Click it. Your router will when ready release its current IP address and request a new one from your ISP. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

You may see a brief message saying the router is renewing its connection. Wait until the page returns to normal. Then close the settings page and try opening a website. If the internet works now, the reset was successful.

What to do if the reset does not fix the problem

If your internet still does not work after resetting your IP address, the problem is likely not with the address itself. Check that the cable from your modem to your router is plugged in firmly on both ends. If you have a separate modem and router, restart the modem first — unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in, and wait for its lights to stabilize before restarting the router.

If restarting both devices does not help, contact your ISP. Tell them you have restarted your modem and router and reset your IP address, but you still have no internet. They can check whether your account is active and whether your modem is recognized on their network. This information helps them troubleshoot faster.

Write down any error messages you see on your router's settings page or on your devices — messages like "No internet connection" or "Cannot obtain IP address" — and share those with your ISP. These details tell them exactly where the problem is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my IP address erase my Wi-Fi password or other settings?

No. Resetting your IP address only requests a new address from your ISP. It does not change your Wi-Fi name, password, or any other router settings. Your devices will stay connected to your Wi-Fi throughout the process.

How often should I reset my IP address?

You should not need to reset your IP address regularly. If you find yourself resetting it more than once every few months, contact your ISP — the problem may be on their end, not yours. A healthy connection renews automatically without your involvement.

What is the difference between resetting my IP address and factory resetting my router?

Resetting your IP address requests a new address from your ISP and takes two minutes. A factory reset erases all your router settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password, and returns the router to its original state. Only factory reset if you cannot log in or if your ISP tells you to.

Can I reset my IP address from my phone or computer instead of the router settings?

On Windows, you can open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew to reset your device's IP address. On Mac, go to System Preferences, select Network, and click Renew DHCP Lease. This resets only that device's address, not your router's — if your router's address is the problem, you must reset it through the router settings.

Do I need to call my ISP before resetting my IP address?

No. Resetting your IP address is a standard troubleshooting step that does not affect your account or service. You only need to contact your ISP if the reset does not fix the problem or if you see error messages suggesting an issue on their network.