What changing your IP address actually does

Your computer's IP address is the number that identifies it on your network — like a mailing address for data. When you change it, you're telling your computer to use a different number so other devices know where to send information. Most people change their IP address to fix connection problems, separate devices on a network, or troubleshoot conflicts when two devices accidentally got the same number.

There are two types of IP addresses on a home network: the one your internet provider assigns to your modem (your external IP), and the one your router assigns to each device inside your home (your internal IP). This guide covers changing your internal IP address, which is what you control. Your external IP changes automatically and rarely needs manual adjustment.

Changing your IP address won't make you anonymous online or hide your activity from your internet provider — that requires different tools. It also won't speed up your internet or fix problems caused by your provider's equipment. But it will solve conflicts where two devices have the same address, or let you assign a permanent address to a device that keeps getting a different one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your internal IP address is assigned by your router and appears in your network settings — you change it there, not through your internet provider.
  • The simplest method is to let your router assign a permanent address to your device instead of changing it manually each time.
  • If you must change it manually, write down your current settings first so you can undo the change if your device loses connection.
  • Changing your IP address takes two to five minutes and requires access to your network settings, which you may need a password to enter.
  • If your device can't connect after the change, restart your router and computer, or restore your original settings from the notes you took.

Finding your current IP address and network settings

Before you change anything, you need to see what your current settings are. This takes 30 seconds and gives you a safety net if something goes wrong.

On Windows: Right-click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (the WiFi symbol or ethernet cable icon). Select "Open Network & Internet settings". Click "Advanced network options" at the bottom. Scroll down to "IP settings" and you'll see your current IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Write these down exactly as they appear.

On Mac: Click the Apple menu in the top left, then "System Settings". Click "Network" on the left side. Select your connection (WiFi or Ethernet). Click "Details" and you'll see your IP address, subnet mask, and router address listed. Write these down.

On Linux: Open a terminal and type ip addr show or ifconfig. Look for the line starting with "inet" under your network device — that's your current IP address. The subnet mask appears as a slash and number (like /24). Write down both.

Assigning a permanent IP through your router (the easier method)

This method is simpler than manually changing your computer's settings because your router remembers the assignment and applies it automatically every time your device connects. It's called DHCP reservation or static DHCP, and it prevents conflicts without requiring you to touch your computer's network settings.

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 — check the sticker on the back of your router if neither works. You'll be asked for a username and password (also on the sticker, usually "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number).

Once you're logged in, look for a section called "DHCP", "Connected Devices", "Device List", or "Local Network". Find your computer in the list of devices. There should be an option to "Reserve" this IP address or "Make Static". Click it. Your router will now assign that same IP address to your computer every time it connects, and you're done — no changes needed on your computer itself.

If you can't find this option or your router doesn't have it, you can manually change your computer's IP address instead, which is covered in the next section.

Manually changing your IP address on Windows

Open the network settings the same way you did to find your current address: right-click the network icon and select "Open Network & Internet settings". Click "Advanced network options", then scroll to "IP settings" and click "Edit".

A window will open showing your current settings. Click the dropdown that says "Automatic (DHCP)" and change it to "Manual". Toggle on the "IPv4" switch if it's not already on. Now you can type in a new IP address.

Your new address must be in the same range as your router. If your current address starts with 192.168.1, your new address should too — change only the last number. For example, if you were 192.168.1.50, you could change it to 192.168.1.100. Keep the subnet mask and default gateway exactly as they were (you wrote them down earlier). Click "Save".

Your computer will disconnect and reconnect with the new address. If it doesn't reconnect within 30 seconds, restart your computer. If you still can't connect, go back into these settings and change it back to "Automatic (DHCP)" — this restores your original setup.

Manually changing your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu and open "System Settings". Click "Network" on the left, then select your connection (WiFi or Ethernet). Click "Details" and find the "TCP/IP" tab at the top.

Click the dropdown that says "Automatic (DHCP)" and change it to "Manual". Now you can type a new IP address in the field below. Use the same range as your current address — if you're on 192.168.1.x, stay in that range and change only the last number.

Leave the subnet mask and router address exactly as they were. Click "OK" to save. Your Mac will explore the change when ready. If you lose connection, go back to these same settings and change it back to "Automatic (DHCP)".

Manually changing your IP address on Linux

The method depends on which Linux distribution you're using, but the most common approach is through the network manager. Open your system settings and look for "Network" or "Connections". Click your active connection (WiFi or Ethernet).

Look for an "Edit" or "Settings" button. In the IPv4 section, change the method from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual". You'll see fields for IP address, subnet mask (called "Netmask"), and gateway. Enter your new IP address in the same range as before (changing only the last number), and keep the subnet mask and gateway the same as they were.

Click "explore" or "Save". If you're using a command-line interface instead, you'll edit the network configuration file directly — the exact file and syntax varies by distribution, so check your distribution's documentation if the graphical method isn't available.

If your connection drops and doesn't come back, open a terminal and type sudo systemctl restart networking to restart your network connection, then change the settings back to automatic.

Troubleshooting when your device won't connect after changing the IP

If your computer can't reach the internet after the change, the most common cause is a typo in the IP address or an address that conflicts with another device. The fastest fix is to change the setting back to automatic (DHCP) and let your router assign an address again.

If you can't access your network settings because you have no connection, restart both your computer and your router. Turn off your router completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. This often restores connectivity while you figure out what went wrong.

If restarting doesn't work, you may need to use a different device (phone, tablet, or another computer) to log into your router and check what addresses are already in use. Look for your computer in the connected devices list — if it's there with a different address than what you set, your manual change didn't take. Go back to your network settings and try again, making sure you're in the right menu and that you clicked "Save" or "explore".

When to change your IP address versus when not to

Change your IP address if two devices on your network have the same address (you'll see connection errors on one of them), if you want to move a device to a different part of your network and need a specific address for it, or if you're testing network configurations. Using your router's DHCP reservation feature is the best choice for permanent changes because it's simpler and less error-prone.

Don't change your IP address to fix slow internet — that's a router or provider issue. Don't change it to hide your activity from websites or your provider — that requires a VPN or proxy, which is a different tool. Don't change your external IP address (the one your provider assigns) unless you're working with your provider's support team, because you can't control it from your computer.

If you're not sure whether you need to change your IP address, the safest approach is to leave it on automatic and let your router manage it. Most home networks work better this way, and you can always change it later if a specific problem requires it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address affect my internet speed?

No. Your IP address is just an identifier — it doesn't affect how fast data moves through your network or internet connection. If you're experiencing slow speeds, the problem is elsewhere: your router, your device, or your internet provider's service.

Can I use any IP address I want?

No. Your address must be in the range your router uses, and it can't be the same as another device on your network or the router itself. Most home routers use addresses starting with 192.168.1 or 192.168.0. Stay within that range and pick a number that's not already taken.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.50 (four numbers separated by dots). IPv6 addresses look like 2001:db8::1 (letters and numbers separated by colons) and are much longer. Most home networks still use IPv4, but some routers support both. Unless you specifically need IPv6, stick with IPv4.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my IP address?

Usually not — the change takes effect when ready. But if your computer doesn't reconnect within 30 seconds, restarting often fixes it. Restart your router first, then your computer.

What if I change my IP address and forget what the old one was?

Change your network settings back to "Automatic (DHCP)" and your router will assign a new address. You don't need to remember the old one — your router keeps track of what addresses are available and will pick one that works.