Use ipconfig to see your local IP address

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection — this is the local IP address your computer uses on your home network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. This is the address you give to friends who want to join your Minecraft server running on your machine.

The ipconfig command shows all network adapters connected to your computer. If you have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet plugged in, you will see two sets of results. Use the address from whichever connection you are actually using to run Minecraft. If you are on Wi-Fi, look under "Wireless LAN adapter"; if you are hardwired, look under "Ethernet adapter".

Key Takeaways

  • Type ipconfig in Command Prompt to find your local IP address, which starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is what friends use to join your Minecraft server.
  • Your local IP address changes only when you restart your router or your computer assigns you a new one, so write it down or set a static IP in your router settings.
  • The address ipconfig shows is for your home network only — it does not work for players outside your home, who need your public IP instead.
  • If you are hosting a Minecraft server, restart your router and check ipconfig again to confirm your address before giving it to friends.

Why your local IP matters for Minecraft servers

When you run a Minecraft server on your computer, players on your home network connect using your local IP address. This address only works inside your house — it is not routable on the internet. Friends in your home can type your local IP into their Minecraft client and join your world when ready.

Your router assigns this address to your computer automatically using DHCP. That means the address can change if your computer restarts, your router restarts, or your router decides to reassign addresses. For a stable server, you want the same address every time, which is why many people set a static IP in their router settings instead of relying on DHCP.

How to set a static IP so it does not change

A static IP keeps your Minecraft server address the same even after restarts. Log into your router's admin panel — usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser. Look for a section called "DHCP" or "Local Network" and find the option to reserve an IP address or set a static assignment for your computer's MAC address.

Your computer's MAC address appears in the ipconfig output as "Physical Address". Write it down, then enter it into your router's settings along with the local IP you want to keep. After you save, restart your computer and run ipconfig again to confirm the address is now locked in. This address will not change unless you manually alter it in the router.

Finding your public IP if friends are outside your home

If players joining your server are outside your home network, they need your public IP address, not your local one. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is what the outside world sees when you connect to the internet. Type ipconfig /all in Command Prompt to see more details, but this command does not show your public IP directly.

To find your public IP, open a web browser and search "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The address that appears is your public IP. Write it down, but understand that your ISP can change this address without warning — some ISPs reassign public IPs every few months or when your modem restarts. For a stable external server, you need either a static public IP from your ISP (usually a paid option) or a dynamic DNS service that updates automatically when your IP changes.

Port forwarding so external players can reach your server

Giving friends your public IP is not enough — your router blocks incoming connections by default. You must set up port forwarding in your router to direct Minecraft traffic to your computer. Log into your router's admin panel again and look for "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Server" settings.

Create a new rule that forwards port 25565 (Minecraft's default port) to your computer's local IP address. For example, if your local IP is 192.168.1.50, set the rule to forward external port 25565 to internal IP 192.168.1.50 on port 25565. Save the rule, restart your router, and test by having a friend outside your network try to join using your public IP and port 25565.

Checking your connection before giving out your address

Before you tell anyone your IP address, restart your router and run ipconfig again to confirm your local address is stable. If you are hosting for external players, also check your public IP and make sure port forwarding is active. A quick test is to ask a friend to try connecting — if they cannot reach you, the problem is usually either port forwarding not saved properly or your ISP blocking the port.

Some ISPs block port 25565 or require you to use a different port. If friends cannot connect even with port forwarding enabled, try changing the port in your server.properties file to something like 25566 or 25570, then update your port forwarding rule to match. Not all ISPs block this, but it is worth testing if the standard port does not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ipconfig show my public IP address?

No. The ipconfig command shows only your local IP address on your home network. To find your public IP, search "what is my IP" in a web browser. Your public IP is what the internet sees; your local IP is what your router uses inside your home.

Why does my IP address change after I restart?

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP. After a restart, your router may assign your computer a different address from the pool of available addresses. To prevent this, set a static IP in your router settings by reserving your computer's MAC address.

Can I use ipconfig to find my friend's IP address?

No. ipconfig shows only your own computer's address. To find a friend's IP, they must tell you their address or you can use third-party tools if they are hosting a server, but you cannot retrieve it from your own machine.

What if I see multiple IPv4 addresses in ipconfig?

You likely have multiple network adapters — for example, Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Use the address from the adapter you are actually using to run Minecraft. If you are on Wi-Fi, use the address under "Wireless LAN adapter"; if hardwired, use the one under "Ethernet adapter".

Do I need to open Command Prompt as administrator to use ipconfig?

No. The ipconfig command works in a regular Command Prompt window. You do not need administrator rights to view your IP address, though you may need them to change network settings in your router or firewall.