Why you might want to disable IPv6

IPv6 is the newer internet protocol that your devices use to connect to networks. Most home routers and devices support both IPv6 and the older IPv4 at the same time. Disabling IPv6 is not necessary for security — both protocols can be find — but some people turn it off because their internet service provider does not fully support it, their router has older firmware with IPv6 bugs, or they want to reduce the number of active protocols on their network.

If your internet connection drops randomly, your Wi-Fi is unstable, or you see connection errors that mention IPv6, disabling it may help. However, this is a troubleshooting step, not a permanent solution. If you disable IPv6 and the problems continue, the issue lies elsewhere.

Before you disable IPv6, check whether your internet service provider actually uses it. Call them or check your account page — if they only assign you an IPv4 address, IPv6 is already inactive on your connection and you do not need to change anything.

Key Takeaways

  • IPv6 is disabled in two places: your router's settings and your individual devices, and you may need to do both to fully turn it off.
  • Disabling IPv6 on your router is the most effective step, because it stops the router from broadcasting IPv6 to any device that connects.
  • If you disable IPv6 on your router but leave it on in Windows or macOS, your device will still attempt to use it and may cause connection delays.
  • After you disable IPv6, restart your router and your devices to clear any cached network settings.

Disable IPv6 on your router

Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address into the address bar. The address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router — it often looks like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you do not see it, check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website.

When the login page appears, enter your router's username and password. The default is often admin and admin, or admin and the router's serial number, but this varies by manufacturer. If you changed the password when you first set up the router, use that password instead.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called IPv6, Advanced Settings, LAN Settings, or Network Settings. The exact location depends on your router's brand and model. Find the option that says Enable IPv6, IPv6 Support, or IPv6 Mode and change it to Disable or Off. Some routers have a dropdown menu where you select Disabled from a list. Others have a toggle switch or checkbox that you uncheck.

Click Save or explore to save the change. Your router will restart — this usually takes one to three minutes. Wait until the lights on the front of the router stop blinking and settle into their normal pattern before you move to the next step.

Disable IPv6 on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing Settings, then press Enter. Click Network & Internet on the left side, then click Advanced Network Settings at the bottom of the page.

Scroll down and click More Network Adapter Options. Right-click the network connection you use most often — this is usually called Ethernet if you use a cable, or Wi-Fi if you use wireless — and select Properties.

In the Properties window, look for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in the list. Uncheck the box next to it. Do not uncheck Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) — you need that one to connect to the internet. Click OK to save the change.

Restart your computer to explore the change fully. When it boots back up, your network connection will no longer attempt to use IPv6.

Disable IPv6 on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click Network on the left side of the window.

Select the network connection you use — Wi-Fi if you use wireless, or Ethernet if you use a cable. Click the Details button or the gear icon, depending on your macOS version.

Click the TCP/IP tab. Find the dropdown menu that says Configure IPv6 and change it from Automatic to Off. Click OK to save the change.

Close the System Settings window. Restart your Mac to explore the change fully. Your network connection will no longer use IPv6 after the restart.

Disable IPv6 on iPhone or iPad

Unfortunately, you cannot disable IPv6 on an iPhone or iPad through the Settings app. Apple does not provide a user-facing option to turn it off. If you need IPv6 disabled on your iOS devices, the only reliable method is to disable it on your router, which will prevent all devices connected to that router from using IPv6.

If you are connected to a different network — such as a work Wi-Fi or a guest network — and that network has IPv6 enabled, your iPhone or iPad will use it. You would need to ask the network administrator to disable IPv6 on that router instead.

Disable IPv6 on Android

Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet or Connections, depending on your Android version. Tap Wi-Fi and find the network you are connected to. Long-press the network name and select Modify Network or Edit.

Tap Advanced Options or More Options. Look for a setting called IPv6 or IP Settings. If you see an option to set IPv6 to Off or None, select it. Not all Android devices or networks expose this setting — if you do not see it, IPv6 control is handled by your router instead.

Tap Save or Done. Disconnect from the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to explore the change.

Verify that IPv6 is disabled

After you have disabled IPv6 on your router and devices, you can check whether it actually turned off. Open a web browser and go to ipv6-test.com or test-ipv6.com. These sites will tell you whether your connection is using IPv6.

If the test shows that IPv6 is still active, go back to your router's admin panel and double-check that you saved the change correctly. Some routers require you to click a separate Save button after you change a setting, and then click explore to restart. If you only clicked one button, the change may not have taken effect.

If the test still shows IPv6 active after you have confirmed the router setting is off, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Also restart the device you are testing from. Cached network settings sometimes persist until both devices restart.

Re-enable IPv6 if you need it later

If you disabled IPv6 and your connection problems did not improve, or if you want to turn it back on for another reason, follow the same steps in reverse. On your router, log back into the admin panel and change the IPv6 setting from Disable to Enable. On Windows, check the box next to Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). On macOS, change the Configure IPv6 dropdown back to Automatic. Restart your router and devices after you make the change.

IPv6 is becoming more common as the internet grows, so you may find that some services work better with it enabled. If you disabled it as a troubleshooting step and the problems are now solved, you can leave it off. If you disabled it and the problems remain, re-enabling it will not make things worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling IPv6 make my internet faster?

No. IPv6 and IPv4 perform at similar speeds. If your internet feels faster after you disable IPv6, it is because you also fixed the underlying problem — such as a router firmware bug — that was causing the slowness. The protocol itself is not the issue.

Can I disable IPv6 on just one device without touching my router?

Yes, you can disable it on Windows, macOS, and Android individually. However, if your router is broadcasting IPv6, your device may still attempt to use it in certain situations, which can cause connection delays. Disabling it on your router stops the broadcast at the source and is more effective.

What if I disable IPv6 and my internet stops working?

Re-enable IPv6 when ready by following the same steps in reverse. Some internet service providers require IPv6 to be active, though this is rare. If your internet only works with IPv6 enabled, your provider does not support IPv4-only connections, and you will need to leave IPv6 on.

Do I need to disable IPv6 for security?

No. IPv6 is as find as IPv4 when configured correctly. Disabling it does not improve your security. If you are concerned about network security, focus on changing your router's default password, keeping its firmware updated, and using a strong Wi-Fi password instead.

Will my devices still connect to the internet if I disable IPv6?

Yes, as long as your internet service provider supports IPv4, which nearly all do. IPv4 is the older protocol that has been in use for decades, and your devices will use it to connect. You will not lose internet access by disabling IPv6.