How to Change Your IP Address in Windows 10

Your Windows 10 PC gets an IP address automatically from your router, but sometimes you need to change it: to give a PC a fixed (static) address for port forwarding, printer sharing or remote access, to fix an address conflict, or to get a fresh address when your connection acts up. You might also mean your public IP address, the one websites see. This guide covers all of these, using Settings, Control Panel and the command line.

Quick Answer

To set a static IP, go to Settings > Network & Internet, click Ethernet or Wi-Fi and your network, then under IP settings click Edit, choose Manual, turn on IPv4, and enter the IP address, subnet prefix length (usually 24), gateway and DNS. Click Save. To just get a new automatic address, run ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew.

Before You Start: Find Your Current Settings

Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig. Note your IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway (your router, often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). A new static address should be on the same network (for example 192.168.1.50 if your gateway is 192.168.1.1) and outside your router’s DHCP range to avoid conflicts. Check the DHCP range in your router’s settings.

Method 1: Set a Static IP in Settings

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then click your connected network.
3. Under IP settings, click Edit.
4. Change Automatic (DHCP) to Manual, and turn on IPv4.
5. Enter:
   • IP address: for example 192.168.1.50
   • Subnet prefix length: 24 (equals 255.255.255.0)
   • Gateway: your router’s address, such as 192.168.1.1
   • Preferred DNS: your router’s address or a public DNS such as 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8
6. Click Save.

Method 2: Control Panel

1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and choose Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
4. Choose Use the following IP address and enter the IP address, subnet mask (255.255.255.0) and default gateway.
5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter DNS servers.
6. Click OK twice.

Method 3: Get a New Automatic IP Address

1. Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew.

Your router may give you the same address again. To force a different one, reserve a specific address for the PC in your router’s DHCP settings.

Change Your Public IP Address

Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider to your router, not to your PC. To change it, restart your modem or router (a longer power-off may help), use a VPN, or contact your provider. Your provider may or may not assign a new address.

Go Back to Automatic

In Settings, click Edit under IP settings and choose Automatic (DHCP), or in Control Panel choose Obtain an IP address automatically.

To go back to an automatic address, enable DHCP in Windows 10.

Not sure what your current address is? See how to check your IP address on Windows.

Troubleshooting

• No internet after setting a static IP: check the gateway and DNS, and make sure the address is on the same network as your router.
• “IP address conflict”: another device uses that address. Pick one outside the DHCP range.
• Settings won’t save: you need an administrator account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a static IP better?

Only when you need a fixed address. For most PCs, automatic (DHCP) is simpler and avoids conflicts.

Does this work in Windows 11?

Yes. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > your connection > Hardware properties or IP assignment > Edit.

Should I use a router reservation instead?

Often, yes. A DHCP reservation in the router gives the PC the same address every time without changing Windows settings.

Summary

1. Note your current settings with ipconfig.
2. Set a static IP in Settings or Control Panel.
3. Use ipconfig /release and /renew for a new automatic address.
4. Restart your router or use a VPN to change your public IP.