How to Assign a Static IP Address to Your Devices

What a static IP address does and why you need one

A static IP address is one that stays the same every time a device connects to your network. Your router normally hands out addresses that change — called dynamic addresses — which works fine for phones and laptops that come and go. But devices you want to reach reliably — a printer, a security camera, a NAS drive, a smart home hub — need the same address every time, or you'll spend your time hunting for where they moved to.

Assigning a static address means you tell your router "always give this device this number" instead of letting it pick randomly. You can do this two ways: by setting it on the device itself, or by telling your router to always hand the same address to that device. The router method is simpler and works on almost everything, so that's where to start.

Key Takeaways

Static addresses are most useful for devices that stay in one place and that you need to reach by name or number — printers, cameras, servers, smart home hubs.
The easiest method is to log into your router and set a DHCP reservation, which tells it to always give the same address to a specific device.
You need the device's MAC address (a hardware identifier) to set up a reservation, which you can find in the device's network settings or on its label.
If your router doesn't support reservations, you can set the address manually on the device itself, but this requires more steps and can cause conflicts if done wrong.
Test the address by unplugging the device, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in — it should get the same address every time.

Finding your device's MAC address

Before you can tell your router to reserve an address, you need to identify the device. Every network device has a MAC address — a unique hardware identifier that looks like six pairs of numbers and letters, such as A4:5E:60:C2:F8:1B. Your router uses this to recognize the device and hand it the same address each time.

The easiest place to find the MAC address is on the device itself. Check the back or bottom for a sticker with network information — it's often labeled "MAC", "WiFi Address", or "Hardware Address". If the device is a printer or camera, the manual or the manufacturer's website will tell you where to look.

If there's no sticker, you can find it in the device's settings. On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status, and scroll down to find "Physical address" under your network connection. On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for "Wi-Fi Address". On a phone or tablet, go to Settings, then About Device (Android) or General > About (iPhone), and search for "MAC address" or "Wi-Fi address".

Logging into your router and finding the DHCP reservation section

Open a web browser and type your router's address into the address bar. This is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual if neither works. You'll be asked for a username and password — the default is often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number, but again, your manual will have it.

Once you're logged in, look for a section called DHCP, DHCP Reservation, Reserved Addresses, or Static DHCP. Different routers put this in different places — it might be under LAN Settings, Network Settings, or Advanced. If you can't find it, search the router's help menu or manufacturer's website for your specific model.

Some routers also let you set a static address by clicking on a device that's already connected to the network. If you see a list of connected devices, look for an option to "reserve" or "make static" next to the device you want. This is faster because the router fills in the MAC address for you.

Creating the reservation in your router

Once you've found the DHCP reservation section, you'll see a form asking for the MAC address and the IP address you want to assign. Paste or type the MAC address you found earlier. For the IP address, choose one in the same range as your other devices but outside the range your router normally hands out.

If your router's address is 192.168.1.1, your devices are probably in the 192.168.1.x range. Check your router's DHCP settings to see what range it uses — it might be 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.254, for example. Pick a number outside that range, such as 192.168.1.50 or 192.168.1.99. Write down the address you choose so you remember it later.

Click Save or explore. Your router will now remember this device and always give it the same address. The change takes effect the next time the device connects to the network.

Testing the static address

Unplug the device from power or disconnect it from WiFi, wait 30 seconds, and reconnect it. Log back into your router and check the connected devices list — the device should now show the address you reserved. If it does, you're done.

If the device shows a different address, go back to the reservation section and check that you entered the MAC address correctly. A single wrong character will cause the router to ignore the rule. If the MAC address is right but the device still gets a different address, your router may not support DHCP reservations — in that case, you'll need to set the address manually on the device itself.

Setting a static address manually on the device (if your router doesn't support reservations)

If your router doesn't have a reservation feature, you can set the address directly on the device. On Windows, go to Settings, Network & Internet, Advanced Network Settings, then scroll down and click "More network adapter options". Right-click your network connection, select Properties, then Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then Properties. Click "Use the following IP address" and enter the address, subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), and default gateway (usually your router's address, like 192.168.1.1).

On Mac, go to System Settings, Network, then click the connection and select Details. Click TCP/IP, change "Configure IPv4" to "Manually", and enter the address, subnet mask, and router address. On a phone or tablet, go to Settings, WiFi, tap the network name, and look for an option to set a static IP — not all phones support this, so check your device's manual if you don't see it.

After you set the address manually, restart the device and check that it kept the address. The downside of this method is that if you make a mistake, the device may lose network access entirely, so be careful with the numbers. If that happens, go back to the settings and switch back to automatic (DHCP) to restore the connection.

Devices that benefit most from static addresses

Printers, network cameras, NAS drives, and smart home hubs are the most common candidates because you'll want to reach them by a consistent address or name. If you're setting up port forwarding to reach a device from outside your network, it needs a static address so the rule doesn't break when the address changes. Gaming consoles and media servers also benefit because they're easier to find on your network and easier to configure.

Phones and laptops don't usually need static addresses because you access them by name (through mDNS or Bonjour) rather than by number. If you do set one manually on a phone, be aware that it may cause problems if you take the phone to a different network, because the address won't be valid there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I assign the same static address to two devices by mistake?

Both devices will try to use the same address, and one or both will lose network access. This is called an IP conflict. If this happens, go back to your router or the device settings and change one of the addresses to a different number. The device will reconnect once the conflict is resolved.

Can I use any address I want, or does it have to be in a certain range?

It has to be in the same range as your network. If your router is 192.168.1.1, all addresses must start with 192.168.1. The last number can be anything from 1 to 254, but avoid numbers your router normally hands out (usually 100 to 254) to prevent conflicts. Check your router's DHCP settings to see what range it uses.

Do I need to restart my router after setting a static address?

No. The change takes effect the next time the device connects to the network. You only need to restart the device itself — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.

What's the difference between a static address and a reserved address?

A reserved address is set in your router and applies automatically whenever the device connects. A static address is set on the device itself and stays the same no matter what network it connects to. Reserved addresses are easier and safer because the router prevents conflicts.

Will a static address slow down my network?

No. The address itself has no effect on speed. The only difference is that the device always gets the same number instead of a new one each time it connects.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.