how do you assign static ip address

How to Assign Static IP Address to Your Devices

By default, your router assigns dynamic IP Address to every device that connects to it. This is called DHCP (short for Dynamic Host Control Protocol). But sometimes, we need our devices to have the same IP address (i.e. Static IP) every time it connects to the network. Reason being,

• Access your computer from the Internet.
• Share data between two devices on the same network.
• Quickly access your Network Printer or NAS.
• Use your computer as a media server.
• Or your work WiFi requires you to use Static IP address.

What IP address should you choose?

If two devices on the network have the same IP address, then there will be conflicts. The Internet won’t work on one of them or both, depending on your router. So, it’s important to assign a unique IP address to your computer. There are a couple of ways to pick an unused IP address.

For instance– first  find your device’s IP address , say it’s  192.168.1.7 ; then keep the first three values (i.e. 192.168.1) as it’s and replace the last digit with some far number like  192.168.1.222 . Though make sure the last digit should be between a  0-255  range.

Assigning Static IP address to most devices is easy, just go to its network settings, look for DHCP option and turn it OFF. Once you do that, you’ll see a text area to enter Static IP address. Enter the new IP address there, save changes and that’s it.

So let’s see how to Assign Static IP address to various Operating Systems

1. Assign IP Address on Windows 10/8/7

You can do this quickly through the command line. You will need to first find your subnet mask, default gateway, and network adapter name. In my case, I’m on a Wi-Fi network, so the adapter name is Wi-Fi. To find yours just type the following command.

Once you get the output, find for the Network Adapter which has IP listed under it. The adapter name is a one-word name suffixed to the end of the Network Title. You will also need the Subnet mask and the Default Gateway Address.

Once you have the adapter name, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway, run the following command.

Wherein, Wi-Fi should be replaced by your adapter name and the IP, subnet mask and gateway address according to your configuration.

This will change your IP address from DHCP to manual with the static IP address you have specified.

In case you find it too confusing, you are not alone. You can do the same via GUI which is much more intuitive. You’ll need the  Subnet Mask and Default Gateway Address . You can refer to the above step on how to find these details. Once you have noted down the address, click on  Start  Menu and type in  Network and Sharing Center.  Click once you see the Network and Sharing Center Icon.

Alternatively, if you are in Windows 10 then you can right-click on the Start menu and click on “ Network Connections “.

A new window will open, click on  Change Adapter Options.

Right Click on your Current Network Adapter ( like WiFi)  and choose  Properties.

When the new window pops up, select  Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4)   and click on  Properties.

Once you get the pop-up window, select “ Enter the IP address you want ” and fil the IP Address, For Subnet Mask , and Default Gateway Address enter the values that you have noted down previously. Next, click on OK to save changes.

To switch to dynamic IP, click on Obtain the IP address automatically. Once this is enabled, your system will start picking an IP address dynamically from the router.

2. How to setup static IP on Ubuntu

On Ubuntu, you can set a static IP Address via the terminal or GUI. Firstly, let’s start with the command line. Right-click anywhere on the desktop to open the terminal.

Once the terminal window opens, we need to run a command. We need the subnet mask and network adapter name in order to set a static IP and to get that, run the following command on the terminal.

Once you have the subnet mask noted down, in my case, it’s 255.255.255.0, we can proceed further.

It is pretty simple and straight forward. We need to open the Network Adapter settings. To do that, click on the Network Icon at the top right corner of the desktop.

Now, navigate on the active network and click on the expand button for more options. Click on Wired Settings to open the Network menu.

Once you get the Wired Settings dialogue, make sure you are on the Network page. Click on the Settings icon beside the active network to open the adapter properties.

When you get the pop-up, navigate to the IPv4 tab to change the IP settings.

On the IPv4 tab, select the radio button which says “ Manual “. Some text fields will appear, you need to enter the IP address, Netmask and Gateway accordingly. Once it is validated, you can click on the Apply button to register the changes.

Again you need to restart the network for the changes to take effect. You can do it manually via command line or just switch off and switch on the Network adapter. Once done, run ifconfig on the terminal to check the IP address. It should be the same IP address which you have specified earlier.

3. How to setup static IP on Mac

If you are on macOS, setting static IP is quite similar to that of Ubuntu. But, here you don’t need the subnet mask or Default Gateway Address. Right click on the apple icon at the top left corner of the desktop. Click on  System Preferences  from the dropdown list.

Once the System Preferences dialogue box displays, navigate to Network and click on it to open the Network Settings

Alternatively, you can also hit Cmd+Space to trigger the Spotlight search. Type “ Network ” in the search bar and click on the icon once it appears. This will directly navigate you to the Network Settings.

From the pop-up window, select an active network interface. For example, I am connected to a WiFi network so my active network is  Wi-Fi. Make sure you are on the active network tab and then click on  Advanced .

A new window will open the configuration settings for that adapter. Move over to the IP settings by clicking on the TCP/IP tab .

From the Configure IPv4 menu, choose Using DHCP with manual address.  Enter a static IP address in the IPv4 Address and leave the Subnet Mask and Router field as default. Click Ok to save the changes.

Now when you do an ifconfig, the system should be using the static IP you have defined in the previous times. If the IP’s have not changed, try restarting the Wi-Fi and it should fix it.

To switch back to dynamic IP, move back to “ Using DHCP ” from the Configure IPv4 menu.

4. How to setup static IP on Android

The network which you are connected to should be on top of the list. Tap on the settings icon beside the Wi-Fi network name.

Once the pop-up opens, you will see IP settings at the bottom of the menu. The default option is “DHCP”. Tap on it to change the IP configuration.

Select “ Static ” from the presented drop-down menu. Enter the desired IP address and leave the other options as default. Make sure that other devices are not using the same IP. You can see the IP address of the other devices in your network by using a small utility called Fing . For a detailed process, check our article on how to find the IP Address of any Device on your network . Once you have entered the IP, click on Save to register the change. Now, your Android phone should start using the desired IP Address.

In almost all the Android version, you get the option to set static IP Address. For some rare older Android versions, you can use a third-party app like  WiFi Static . It’s free and it doesn’t require ROOT.

To switch back to dynamic IP, repeat the same procedure and select “DHCP” from the IP settings instead.

5. How to setup static IP on iPhone and iPad

If you are using an iPhone or iPad, then you can set static IP Address natively. You would need the Subnet Mask of your network. This can be obtained from the Wi-Fi settings and we would see to it in the further steps. To get started, click on the Settings icon in the dock to get to the Settings menu.

Now on the Settings menu page, tap on Wi-Fi to get to the Wi-Fi settings.

On the Wi-Fi page, you should see your connected Wi-Fi network at the top. Click on the “i” button beside it. This will open the Wi-Fi configuration window.

Once the Wi-Fi settings page appears, you will see an option called “ Configure IP “. By Default, this would be set to automatic. Just below this option, you will see “ Subnet Mask “, note it down as we will need it in the further steps. In order to set static IP, we need to change Configure IP it to Manual. Tap on it and it will open the IPv4 settings page.

There should be 3 options available on the “Configure IPv4” page. Select “ Manual ” from it. As soon as Manual IP is enabled, you will get extra text fields at the bottom to enter the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router. We need to fill in the IP Address of our choice and Subnet Mask which we noted down in the previous step. Now, after you fill both the fields, the save button at the top right corner will be enabled. Click on it to save the static IP configuration.

Now, when you return to the Wi-Fi settings page, you will see your device is using the Static IP address. This should be the same IP address we have set in the IP configuration menu.

This static IP address will be applicable only to that particular Wi-Fi network. In case, you connect to some other Wi-Fi network the IP will change accordingly.

6. How to setup static IP to any Device from Router

Other network devices like your  Wireless Printer, PS4, NAS, IP Camera, Raspberry Pi , etc. do not have an Interface. Hence, in order to configure the network, either you have to connect remotely or use the router. If you have access to the router, setting Static IP for network devices is the easiest and convenient way. I would recommend this method over any other.

So, to assign a Static IP Address to any network device, you need to login to the web portal of the router. The web portal address, username, and password are mostly printed behind the router. In case you don’t have physical access to the router, the web portal URL is mostly the PC’s gateway address. To find that, open command prompt and type the following command.

Once you have the web portal loaded, log in with the credentials. Now every router has a different web UI, but the overall structure is the same. Basically,  you will have to link the IP Address to the Mac Address and Hostname of the device. So, we need to find the MAC address & Hostname of the network device. To do that, look for DHCP client list which should look something like the following screenshot.

You can get your MAC Address & Hostname under DHCP Client list. Once, you have the MAC address & Hostname noted down, we can proceed further. On most of the routers, you will have the option to set a Static IP under the section  IP Mac binding or DHCP Static IP  option. In case you are on a custom ROM like dd-wrt, head over to Services tab and you will have DHCP Server . Under DHCP Server, add an entry for Static Leases by clicking on the Add button.

Clicking on the Add button will create a new row. You have to enter the MAC Address, Hostname, desired Static IP and Lease time . Lease time is a unit in minutes after which your IP will be renewed. Since we are adding only 1 entry for the particular host the IP will be the same even after the renewal. Once, done click on Save changes .

Once you have configured successfully on the router, just restart the Wi-Fi on the device. When it connects it should start using the static IP. In case of issues, make sure that you have the correct MAC Address and Hostname. To check, just run the command ipconfig or look back again in the router’s DHCP client list.

These changes are written to the ROM so restarting the router won’t make changes to the static IP configuration. In order to get back to Dynamic IP, just remove the entry from the IP leases.

What’s next

Once you have started configuring the IPs on Router and network devices, you are good to go configure telnet and SSH. Have a look at our brief article on  How to Enable Telnet Server in Windows 10 ,  Best SSH clients for iOS To Manages Remote Servers and  6 Best FTP Clients For Android . A word of caution would be to note down the static IPs assigned to devices as assigning the same IP to two network devices would render them useless.

Also Read:  How To Change DNS on Windows|Mac|Android|iOS

Mrinal Saha

Mrinal is a tech geek who spends half of his day reading and writing about tech. While the nights are spent on shooting or editing YouTube videos. Feel free to geek out with him on-

You may also like

How do i log out of my instagram..., 5 ways to remove background color from text..., why can’t i unsend a message on facebook..., how to stop certain ads on youtube, what happens when you deactivate tiktok account, 7 fixes for netflix picture-in-picture not working on..., how to create and share an outlook calendar, 9 fixes for tiktok not working on wi-fi, 7 fixes for spotify playing but no sound..., 9 fixes for google chrome not loading pages, leave a comment cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

How to configure a static IP on Windows 10 or 11

Do you need to switch from a dynamic to a static IP address configuration on Windows 11 or 10? Here's how.

• Windows 11 static IP
• Windows 10 static IP

On Windows, the router's Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is (usually) responsible for assigning a dynamic Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration to every device in the network, including to your computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Although a dynamic IP address is the recommended configuration for most situations, you may need to change to a static IP address if you're thinking about setting up a printer or file sharing, or you have to configure port forwarding on the router to your computer.

The reason is that a dynamic network configuration can change at any time after the lease from the DHCP expires and if the address changes, network resources you may have configured will stop working. Setting a static IP address will always stay the same on the computer, allowing a more reliable experience sharing resources in the network or forwarding ports.

Whatever the reason, on Windows 10 and 11, you have many ways to configure a static TCP/IP address, including using the Settings app and Command Prompt.

This guide will walk you through the different ways to configure a static network configuration on Windows 11 and 10.

How to set a static TCP/IP network configuration on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can change your computer's dynamic IP configuration to static in at least two ways through the Settings app or commands.

Configure IP from Settings app

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

To assign a permanent TCP/IP configuration on Windows 11, use these steps:

• Open  Settings .
• Click on  Network & internet .
• (Optional) Click on Advanced network settings .
• Under the "More settings" section, click on Hardware and connection properties.
• Note the current IPv4 ,  Subnet mask ,  Default Gateway , and  DNS server addresses to determine the new configuration, as it has to be in the same network scope.
• Click the  Ethernet  or  Wi-Fi  page on the right side from the "Network & internet." page.

• Quick note:  If you select the Wi-Fi page, you need to click on the connection properties to access the network settings.
• Click on the  Edit  button for the "IP assignment" setting.

• Select the  Manual  option from the drop-down menu.
• Turn on the  IPv4  toggle switch.
• Confirm the IP address for the computer – for example, 10.1.4.90.
• Confirm the subnet mask for the configuration – for example, 255.255.255.0.
• Confirm the default gateway address (usually your router's IP) – for example, 10.1.4.1.
• Confirm the preferred DNS address – for example, 10.1.4.1.

•   Quick note:  In a home network, you may also be able to use the router's IP address for the DNS configuration. You can also use third-party DNS services like Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, Cisco's OpenDNS, and others. 
• (Optional) Select the  "On (automatic template)"  option for the "DNS over HTTPS" setting and leave the  "Fallback to plaintext"  option disabled unless you want to encrypted as well as unencrypted traffic or you're troubleshooting connectivity.
• Quick note:  DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a feature that encrypts the DNS queries over the HTTPS protocol to improve security and privacy on the internet. You only want to enable this feature if the DNS server supports this feature.
• Confirm the alternate DNS address (if applicable).
• (Optional) Select the  "On (automatic template)"  option for the "DNS over HTTPS" setting and leave the  "Fallback to plaintext"  option disabled.
• Click the  Save  button.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will start using the static network configuration. If everything has been configured correctly, you should be able to open the web browser to access the internet.

If you entered an address (such as the DNS address) and then changed it, you probably won't be able to save the settings. If this is the case, cancel the configuration, start over, enter the correct configuration, and then try to save the settings.

Configure IP from Command Prompt

To set a static TCP/IP configuration on Windows 11, use these steps:

• Open  Start .
• Search for  Command Prompt , right-click the top result, and select the  Run as administrator  option.
• Type the following command to see your current networking configuration and press  Enter : ipconfig /all
• Confirm the name of the adapter and the networking configuration, including the IPv4 , Subnet mask , Default Gateway , and DNS Servers .

• Type the following command to configure a static TCP/IP address and press  Enter :  netsh interface ip set address name= "ADAPTER-NAME" static IP-ADDRESS SUBNET-ADDRESS DEFAULT-GATEWAY-ADDRESS

In the above command, replace  ADAPTER-NAME  with the name of your network adapter. Change  IP-ADDRESS SUBNET-ADDRESS    DEFAULT-GATEWAY-ADDRESS  with the device IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway addresses you want. For example, this command sets the 10.1.4.90, 255.255.255.0, 10.1.4.1 configuration:  netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet 10Gb" static 10.1.4.90 255.255.255.0 10.1.4.1

• Type the following command to set a DNS server address and press  Enter :  netsh interface ip set dns name="ADAPTER-NAME" static DNS-ADDRESS  

In the command, change  ADAPTER-NAME  with your adapter's name and  DNS-ADDRESS  with the DNS server address of the network. For example, this command sets the local router as the DNS server:  netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet 10Gb" static 10.1.4.1

• Type the following command to set an alternate DNS server address and press  Enter :  netsh interface ip add dns name="ADAPTER-NAME" DNS-ADDRESS index=2

In the command, change  ADAPTER-NAME  with the adapter's name and  DNS-ADDRESS  with an alternate DNS server address. For example, netsh interface ip add dns name="Ethernet 10Gb" 1.1.1.1 index=2

After you complete the steps, the commands will set a static network configuration on Windows 11.

How to set a static TCP/IP network configuration on Windows 10

On Windows 10, you can also use the Settings app and Command Prompt to set up a static IP network configuration.

To assign a permanent TCP/IP configuration on Windows 10, use these steps:

• Click on  Ethernet  or  Wi-Fi .
• Click on the active connection on the right side.

• Click the  Edit  button for the "IP assignment" setting.

• Select the  Manual  option.
• Confirm the subnet prefix length (subnet mask) for the configuration – for example, 24 to specify the 255.255.255.0 subnet mask.

• Quick tip:  It's important to use the number that represents the network instead of the subnet mask. Otherwise, the configuration won't save. If you don't know the subnet prefix length for your subnet mask, you can use any  online subnet calculator  to find out.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will start using the static IP configuration. If you lose network connectivity, restart the computer to regain access to the local network and internet.

To change from dynamic to static IP address with commands on Windows 10, use these steps:

In the command, change  ADAPTER-NAME  with your adapter's name and  DNS-ADDRESS  with the DNS server address of the network. For example, this command sets the local router as the DNS server:  netsh interface ip set dns name=" Ethernet 10Gb" static 10.1.4.1

In the command, change  ADAPTER-NAME  with the adapter's name and  DNS-ADDRESS  with an alternate DNS server address. For example, netsh interface ip add dns name="Ethernet0" 1.1.1.1 index=2

After you complete the steps, the network configuration will switch from dynamic to static on Windows 10.

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

• 2 How to create custom screensaver from your favorite images on Windows 11
• 3 Dragon's Dogma 2's first big update patch is here and adds a "New Game" option, but it's late on Xbox
• 4 Dragon's Dogma 2 'Hunt for the Jadeite Orb' quest guide: Location, who to give it to, and all outcomes
• 5 Microsoft says ChatGPT isn't better than Copilot AI; you're just not using it as intended

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics

How to Configure a Static Internet Protocol (IP) Address on a Computer

Last Updated: June 21, 2023 Tested

Finding Your Addresses on Windows

Finding your addresses on mac, setting a static ip address, expert q&a.

This article was written by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 462,458 times.

This wikiHow teaches you how to set a static IP address for your computer within your Wi-Fi network. A static IP address won't change when your router or computer reboots, making it useful for remote operation and website hosting. Static IP addresses can also prevent connection issues on routers to which several items are connected.

Things You Should Know

• Begin by finding your addresses on Windows or Mac. You are looking for the "Default gateway" address on Windows, and the "Router" number on a Mac.
• Enter the number into a web browser, and log in if necessary. Then, find your computer in the list of connected devices and click on it. Then, click Reserve .

• If you don't see this link, scroll down. You may also need to click the About tab in the upper-left corner of the window.

• You can also right-click the Start icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.

• Close the Advanced window.
• Click ⋮⋮⋮⋮ in the upper-left side of System Preferences.
• Click Sharing .
• Note the "Computer Name" entry at the top of the window.

• If you didn't set a username and/or password, you'll probably need to use the factory credentials found either in the router's manual or on the router itself.

• For example, some routers place the Connected Devices button on the main page, while other router pages require you to click Settings or Advanced to see the list of connected items.

• Again, your router's page may show a different option here.
• If prompted to confirm your choice or specify an unused IP address, do so before proceeding.

• You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take place, and the router may reboot as well.

• You shouldn't have to set a static IP address unless you're hosting a website, setting up a computer for remote access, or using an FTP server. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Attempting to use the IP address of another connected item will either result in an error or kick the item off of the network. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Stan Kats. Cybersecurity Expert. Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Alex Sylvain

Feb 11, 2017

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help:

Tech troubles got you down? We've got the tips you need

Sign up for our daily newsletter

• Privacy Policy
• Advertise with Us

How to Set a Static IP Address on Windows

A dynamic IP address is the recommended configuration for most Windows PC users. However, a static IP address is required when a computer provides a service for other PCs. This tutorial walks you through how to quickly set a static IP address on your computer.

Good to know : check out how to find the IP address of a network printer .

Why Do You Need a Static IP Address

1. set static ip address using settings, 2. using command prompt, 3. using powershell.

A static IP address could be useful in various cases, including:

• Hosting : if you’re hosting a website, having a dynamic IP address can be a hassle. It’s best to have a static IP address to avoid the need to manually change the router settings every time the computer gets a new IP address.
• File server : is your computer configured as an FTP or a web server? It is highly recommended to use a static IP address, as your device can be easily accessed by others to download files.
• Remote access : if you plan on accessing your Windows PC remotely, having a static IP address can provide faster and more reliable access. In contrast, dynamic IP addresses are constantly changing and can create difficulties connecting with remote devices.

You don’t need to be a pro user to set a static IP address, as you can do that easily with the Settings app on your Windows computer.

• Click the Start menu, and launch the Settings app.

• Click “Network & Internet” in the left pane. Click “Properties” next to your Wi-Fi network on the right.

• Scroll down and click the “Edit” button next to “IP assignment.”

• Click the drop-down box in the “Edit network IP settings” dialog, and select “Manual.”

• Select the IPv4 or IPv6 format to set the static IP address. In this example, we are selecting IPv4.

• Fill in all the required details, such as IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway, and click “Save.”

• When entering the IP address, make sure it is a private IP address that can be used on home and other private networks. According to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) , the addresses reserved for private networks are as follows:
• Class A : 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
• Class B : 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
• Class C : 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
• For any private network that needs to use IP addresses internally, it is permissible to use any address within the specified ranges. These addresses are unique only within the given private network.
• Typically, networks with a significant number of total hosts utilize Class A addresses, while medium- to large-sized networks opt for Class B, and small local area networks use Class C.
• To fill the Subnet Mask and Gateway fields, make sure you are using the same values that are currently assigned to your router. To find those values, launch the Command Prompt, type the following command, and press Enter . Also, note the “DNS Servers” address, as you’ll need it later.

Tip : learn how to manage and control wireless networks via the Command Prompt .

You can also configure the static IP address from the Command Prompt if you prefer the command line.

• Right-click on the Start menu, and click “Run” from the list of options.

• Type cmd.exe in the box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the Command terminal in admin mode.

• To set a static IP address, use the following command and press Enter . Make sure you replace “X” with the name of your network adapter, as well as [IP address], [Subnet Mask], and [Default Gateway], each with your specific address. The values correspond to Subnet Mask and Default Gateway that you identified using ipconfig in the previous section.

Note : to find the name of the network adapter, navigate to “Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center,” and jot down the name next to “Connections.”

• To set the DNS server address, use the following command and press Enter . Replace “X” with the name of your network adapter and [DNS server address] with the DNS server address of the network you found earlier using ipconfig .

• You will not see a success message but can run the ipconfig command again to check the new configuration.

Tip : need the IP address of your router ? Learn how to find it.

Alternatively, use the PowerShell tool to set a static IP address for your Windows PC.

• Press Win + X on your keyboard, and click Terminal (Admin) in the menu to launch PowerShell.

• To view the details of your current network configuration, type the following command and press Enter . From the results displayed, jot down the values for the following fields: InterfaceIndex, IPv4Address, IPv4DefaultGateway, and DNSServer.

• Type the following command to set a static IP address and press Enter . Before executing the command, don’t forget to add the values for InterfaceIndex, IPAddress, and DefaultGateway. As for the PrefixLength, in most cases, it should be set to “24.” The parameter defines the local subnet size or subnet mask. For example, for a subnet mask such as “255.255.255.0,” the prefix length is 24 bits, while a subnet mask of “255.255.0.0” has a prefix length of 16 bits.

• To set the DNS server address, use the following command and press Enter . Make sure to add the values for InterfaceIndex and ServerAddresses (DNSServer).

Tip : unable to launch PowerShell? Try these fixes.

Static IP Is Sometimes Handy

Businesses have more use for static addresses than home networks. It’s completely safe to use a static IP address, as errors like “ Your IP has been temporarily blocked ” happen mostly with dynamic IP addresses. Plus, it is not complicated to set a static IP address if you follow the instructions outlined in this tutorial. Check out our post to troubleshoot Wi-Fi-related issues if you experience any problems with your Internet connection.

Image credit: Unsplash . All screenshots by Meenatchi Nagasubramanian .

Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox

Meenatchi is always passionate about learning new technological advancements and would love to try out new gadgets, software, and apps. After quitting her career as an Embedded Software Developer in 2009, she took up a career in content writing.

PCMag editors select and review products independently . If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing .

How to Set Up a Static IP Address

Dhcp is fine, unless you're looking to perform advanced networking tasks. here's how to set a static ip address (or dhcp reservation) for any device on your network..

An IP address is a unique identifier for a specific device on your network. Your router assigns them to these devices using  Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). As you connect new devices to the network, they will be assigned the next IP address in the pool, and if a device hasn't connected in a few days, its IP address will "expire" so it can be assigned to something else.

For everyday use, this is perfectly fine, and you will never even notice it happening in the background. But if you regularly  SSH into your Raspberry Pi , turn your computer on from across the house with Wake-on-LAN , or perform other advanced networking tasks, DHCP can become an annoyance. It's hard to remember which IP address is assigned to which device, and if they ever expire, you have to look it up all over again.

This is where a static IP address can come in handy. Here's how to set it up.

What Is a Static IP Address?

Instead of letting your router assign whatever IP address is free at any given time, you can assign specific IP addresses to the devices you access frequently. For example, I have my home server set to 192.168.1.10, my main desktop to 192.168.1.11, and so on—easy to remember, sequential, and unchanging. You can assign these static IP addresses on the device itself—using, say, Windows' network settings on each computer—or you can do it at the router level.

If you do it through the router, it will likely be called a DHCP reservation, though many people (and even some  routers ) still refer to it as a "static IP address." DHCP reservations allow you to easily set everything up in one place with all your computers left at their default settings. Your computer will ask for an IP address via DHCP, and your router will assign it the one you reserved, with your computer being none the wiser.

How to Set Up a Static IP Address on an Single Device

If you wish to change the IP address of a single device, this can be done through its settings menu. You can set it on on your computers and mobile devices, though the process will differ depending on the operating system in use. Follow our directions to set up a static IP address:

Change Your IP Address in Windows

Change your ip address in macos.

• Open System Settings ( System Preferences in macOS Monterey and older).
• Choose Network .
• Pick the network connection you wish to use.
• Click the Details button next to the network (or the Advanced button at the bottom).
• Select the TCP/IP tab in the window that appears.
• Change Configure IPv4 drop-down to Manually .
• Enter your new IP address and click OK .

Change Your IP Address on an iPhone

• Go to Settings .
• Select Wi-Fi .
• Select the network.
• Tap Configure IP .
• Choose Manual
• Enter your new IP address.

Change Your IP Address on an Android Device

• Select Connections .
• Tap the settings icon next to your current network.
• Tap View more .
• Choose IP settings .
• Pick Static .
• Type in your new IP address and tap Save .

How to Set Up a DHCP Reservation on Your Router

To set up a DHCP reservation, you need to know your IP address , which is easy enough to find out. Then head to your router's configuration page —usually by typing its IP address in your browser's navigation bar—and log in. (For  mesh Wi-Fi systems , you'd use an app instead of a config page.)

The location is different for every config page, but you're looking for something called "DHCP reservations," "static IP addresses," or similar. On my Asus router, for instance, it's in the LAN settings category.

To assign a reservation, you need the  MAC address  of the device in question. This is a unique string of characters that identifies a particular network adapter, and you can usually find it in your router's list of connected devices . Make sure you're getting the MAC address for the correct network adapter—if you have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi on your computer, you have one MAC address for each.

On your router's config page, enter an easy-to-remember label for the device (like "Whitson's Desktop PC"), the MAC address, and your desired IP address. Save your changes, and repeat the process for any other IP addresses you want to reserve. From then on, those devices should have your reserved IP addresses assigned to them, and you will never have to look them up again.

More Inside PCMag.com

• Scientists Hit 301,000 Gbps Internet by Tapping New Fiber Wavelength Bands
• FCC Lets SpaceX Expand Testing of Cellular Starlink for Phones
• FCC Pushes Back on SpaceX's Request for More Starlink Spectrum
• SpaceX Wants to Orbit Cellular Starlink Satellites Closer to Earth
• Android 15's Second Developer Preview Augments Satellite Roaming

About Whitson Gordon

Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for 10 years. He eats potato chips with chopsticks so he doesn't get grease on his mechanical keyboard.

More From Whitson Gordon

• Can't Hear Anything? What to Do if Your Soundbar Has No Sound
• How to Copy Your Windows Installation to an SSD
• Fix the Web: How to Flush Your DNS Cache
• Are You Offline? What to Do When a Website Won't Load
• 7 Bad Habits That Are Destroying Your PC

How to Set Static IP Address on Windows 11/10.

A static IP address is a dedicated, permanent IP address that is manually assigned to a device by a user. Unlike dynamic IP addresses, which are assigned by a DHCP Server and can change over time, static IP addresses remain fixed and do not change over time.

A static IP address can be useful in many situations, such as when hosting a website or server, setting up a virtual private network (VPN) server, forwarding ports to a specific device, accessing a networked printer, and more.

Whatever your reason may be, assigning a static IP address is a simple and straightforward task that can be done directly on the device. In this article, we will cover various methods for setting up a static IP address on Windows 11/10.

How to Assign a Static IP Address on a Windows 11 PC.

• Set Static IP on Windows 11 Settings.
• Set Up Static IP Address in Network Connections.
• Assign a Static IP Address through Command Prompt.
• Specify a Static IP Address with PowerShell.

Method 1: Manually Set a Static IP Address using Windows Settings

The most straightforward method for setting a static IP address is through Windows Settings.

1. Press Windows + I keys to open the Windows Settings app

2. Select the Network & internet tab in the left pane and then click on the active/connected network connection ( Ethernet or WiFi ) on the right pane.

3. On the network configuration page:

a. Note the current IPv4 address and the IPv4 DNS server address which automatically assigned by DHCP (usually your router).

b. Click the the Edit button next to the IP assignment section to set a Static IP Address.

4. In Edit IP settings , change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual using the drop-down menu.

5. Then, Turn On the IPv4 toggle and fill out the fields below as follows:

• IP address: Enter the static IP Address that you want to use. *

* Note: if you want to set the assigned DHCP IPv4 address you noted before as static, type this address here. (e.g. "192.168.1.217" in this example)

• Subnet mask: Type 255.255.255.0
• Gateway: Enter the IP address of your router. [Usually, this is the same as the IPv4 DNS server address you noted before. (e.g. "192.168.1.1" in this example)]
• Preferred DNS: Type the IPv4 DNS server address you noted before. (e.g. "192.168.1.1" in this example).

6. When finish, click Save and you done.  You have successfully changed the IP address from dynamic to static. *

* Note: If, after following the instructions above, you lose your network connectivity, make sure you have set the correct IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and DNS, or change to Automatic (DHCP) again.

Method 2: Assign a Static IP Address in Network Connections settings.

The classic and my favorite method to change the IP Address in Windows, is through the Network Connections applet.

3a. In Network Connections window, double-click on the active Network Connection/Adapter and click Details.

3b. In Network Connection Details window, notice and write down the following information:

• IPv4 Address (e.g. "192.168.1.101")
• IPv4 Subnet Mask (e.g. "255.255.255.0")
• IPv4 Default Gateway (e.g. "192.168.1.1")
• IPv4 DNS Server   (e.g. "192.168.1.1")

3c. When done, click the Close button.

4. Now, in Network Status window, click Properties.

5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties again.

6. In ' Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties' window, do the following:

a. Check the Use the following IP address option and fill the below fields as follows:

b.  At IPv4 Address field, type the static IP Address that you want to use, or if you want to set the assigned DHCP IPv4 address you noted before as static, type this address. (e.g. "192.168.1.101" in this example)

c. Then press the Tab button once to fill automatically the Subnet mask field, or type manually the Subnet mask "numbers" you noted in the step-3b above (e.g. 255.255.255.0").

d. At Default gateway field, type the IP Address of the "IPv4 Default Gateway" you noted before (This is the IP Address of your router. e.g. "192.168.1.1" in this example)

e. Next, check the Use the following DNS addresses option and type below the IPv4 DNS Server address you noted before (e.g. "192.168.1.1" in this example), or type your preferred DNS server's address, such as the Google's public DNS Server's addresses " 8.8.8.8 " for Preferred DNS and " 8.8.4.4 " for Alternate DNS, as in this example.

7. Now, check the Validate settings upon exit option and click OK to save the changes.

8. Finally, click Close to close the adapter’s properties window and you done! *

* Note: If, after following the instructions above, you lose your network connectivity, make sure you have set the correct IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and DNS, or change back to the Dynamic IP assignment, by checking both the " Obtain an IP address automatically "  & " Obtain DNS Server addresses automatically " options in the above screen.

Method 3: Set Up a Static IP Address using Command Prompt

If you like commands, then here are the instructions to change your Dynamic IP address to Static, via command line.

1. Open Windows Search, type command prompt, and select Run as administrator . Then, click Yes on the UAC prompt to proceed.

2. Proceed and view your current IP Address configuration by giving the below command and pressing Enter :

• ipconfig/all

3. After command execution, scroll up and and note the name of the network adapter that you are currently using (e.g. "Wi-Fi" in this example), and then note the following details below it:

• IPv4 Address (e.g. "192.168.1.100")
• Subnet Mask (e.g. "255.255.255.0")
• Default Gateway (e.g. "192.168.1.1")
• DNS Server   (e.g. "192.168.1.1")

2a. To change the Dynamic IP address configuration you already have to a static IP address configuration, enter the following command:*

• netsh interface ip set address name=" Adapter's_Name " static IPAddress SubnetMask DefaultGateway

* Note: In the above command:*

• Replace Adapter's_Name with the name of the active network adapter, (e.g. " Wi-Fi " in this example)
• Replace the IPAddress with the IPv4 Address you noted above (e.g. " 192.168.1.100 " in this example), or type the Static IP Address that you want to use.
• Replace the SubnetMask with the " Subnet mask" address you noted above (e.g. " 192.168.1.1 " in this example).

* In this example, the command will be:

• netsh interface ip set address name="Wi-Fi" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

2b. To assign a DNS server address, type or paste the following command and press Enter :*

• netsh interface ip set dns name=" Adapter's_Name " static DnsServer
• Replace the DnsServer with the DNS Server's IP Address of the DNS you noted above (e.g. " 192.168.1.1 " in this example), or the type the IP address of the DNS Server that you want to use. **

** e.g. In this example will want to use Google's Public DNS server (8.8.8.8). So , the command will be:

• netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8

2c. If you want to assign an alternate DNS server address, (e.g. "8.8.4.4"), give the following command and press Enter : *

• netsh interface ip add dns name=" Wi-Fi " 8.8.4.4 index=2

* Note: Replace Wi-Fi with your adapter's name and change 8.8.4.4 with your desired alternative DNS server address.

3. When finish, close the command prompt window and you're done!

Method 4: Set a Static IP Address using PowerShell.

Another way to change to a Static IP address on your device, is via PowerShell.

1. Press the Windows key, type powershell in the search bar, and click Run as Administrator to open Windows PowerShell as administrator .

2. Now give the following PowerShell command and hit Enter to view the current Network IP configuration:

• Get-NetIPConfiguration

3. Now note the InterfaceIndex of the active network adapter (e.g. "22" in this example), and the following details below it:

• IPv4Address (e.g. "192.168.1.100")
• IPv4Default Gateway (e.g. "192.168.1.1")

4. Run the following command to set up a static IP address: *

• New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceIndex Number -IPAddress New- IPv4Address -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway IPv4DefaultGateway

* Notes 1. In the above command:

• Replace Number with the Interface's Index number you noted above (e.g. "22" in this example)
• Replace New- IPv4Address with the static IP Address you want to use.  (e.g. "192.168.1.150" in this example), or type the IPv4Address you noted before.
•   Replace IPv4DefaultGateway with the IP Address you noted above (e.g. "192.168.1.1" in this example.

e.g. To set the IPv4 Address to "192.168.1.150", type:

New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceIndex 22 -IPAddress 192.168.1.150 -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway 192.168.1.1

2. The number "24" is usually the default prefix (Subnet Mask) for home networks.

5. To add a primary DNS server to your network adapter, run the below command:*

• Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex Number -ServerAddresses DnsServer

Note: In the above command:

• Replace DnsServer with the IP of the DNS Server you noted above (e.g. "192.168.1.1" in this example), or type the IP Address of your referred DNS Server.

Example No1: To use the current DNS server's IP address in this example:

• Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 22 -ServerAddresses 192.168.1.1

Example No2: To set another DNS Server with IP address "208.67.222.222" type:

• Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 22 -ServerAddresses 208.67.222.222

Example No3: To specify both a Preferred and an Alternate DNS Server with IP's 208.67.222.222 & 208.67.220.220 respectively, give the following command:

• Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 22 -ServerAddresses 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220

That's it! Which method worked for you? Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

We're hiring

We're looking for part-time or full-time technical writers to join our team! It's about a remote position that qualified tech writers from anywhere in the world can apply. Click here for more details.

• Recent Posts

• FIX: Windows Security Not Working in Windows 11. - March 28, 2024
• Fix 'Device Manager is Blocked by Administrator'. (Solved) - March 26, 2024
• How to Run a Program as Different user in Windows 11/10. - March 21, 2024

Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Related posts.

How to , Tutotial , Windows , Windows 10 , Windows 11

FIX: Windows Security Not Working in Windows 11.

Fix 'Device Manager is Blocked by Administrator'. (Solved)

How to Run a Program as Different user in Windows 11/10.

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to Assign a Static IP Address to a Windows 11/10 PC

Makes establishing a remote connection easier

Usually, your network router assigns a dynamic IP address to your devices, including your Windows 10 and 11 PCs. If you need a static IP address for your PC, you either need to configure your router or change a settings option on your computer.

The good thing is there are multiple ways to assign a static IP address to your Windows PC. Depending on what you feel comfortable with, you can choose a method and proceed with it to acquire a fixed IP address for your machine.

Why Use a Static IP Address?

There are many reasons you need a static IP address. It’s possible you use a remote connection to connect to your PC. In this case, having a permanent IP address makes establishing the remote connection easier.

Similarly, if you use your PC for network file sharing , a static IP address ensures the other devices on your network can connect to your PC without any reconfigurations.

Assign a Static IP to Your Windows 11/10 PC Using Your Router

One way to get a static IP for your PC is by configuring your router to allocate a specified IP address to your machine. Most routers offer this option but how you configure the router is different for each router model.

Generally, you’d follow the following steps to configure a static IP for your PC on your network router.

Find Your Network Adapter’s MAC Address

For your router to identify your PC and assign it a specific IP address, you need to enter your network adapter’s (which is in your PC) unique MAC address on your router’s settings page.

So, let’s first find your network adapter’s MAC address:

• Open the Start menu, search for Command Prompt , and select Command Prompt in the search results.

• Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter :

ipconfig /all

• Command Prompt will display various values on your screen. Find your network adapter here and look for the Physical Address field’s value. That’s your adapter’s unique MAC address. Make a note of this address.

Configure Your Router to Assign a Static IP to Your PC

You now need to access your router’s settings page. For most routers, you can do this by entering the 192.168.1.1 IP address in a web browser on your computer. If this doesn’t work for you, consult your router’s manual to find out how to access the settings page.

• Launch a web browser on your computer, type the following IP address, and press Enter .

192.168.1.1

• You’ll see your router’s login page. Enter your router’s username and password and continue. For most routers, you can use admin in both username and password fields.
• Select Network Settings at the top of your router’s settings page.

• Choose DHCP Client & Address Reservation from the sidebar on the left.
• Enter the static IP address you’d like to assign to your PC in the IP Address field on the right.

• Type your network adapter’s unique MAC address in the MAC Address field. Then, select Add and then select OK at the bottom of the page.
• Restart your router.

When your Windows 11 or 10 PC connects to your router, your router will assign the specified IP address to your PC. This will happen each time you connect your PC to your router.

Assign a Static IP to Your Windows 10 PC

If you don’t wish to configure your router’s settings, the other way to assign a static IP address to your Windows 10 PC is by using the Windows Settings app. You can configure your IP settings in this app to ensure your PC always gets a unique static IP.

However, there’s a slight issue with this method. If your router has already assigned the IP address that you want for your PC to another device, you’ll experience issues connecting your PC to your router .

To get around this, try to use an IP address far beyond the general IP addresses that your router assigns. For example, if your router usually gives IP addresses up to, say, 192.168.1.10, then use 192.168.1.20 as the static IP for your PC.

To proceed with this method:

• Open the Settings app on your PC by pressing Windows + I keys at the same time.
• Select Network & Internet on the Settings window.

• Scroll down the Status page that opens and choose Change adapter options .

• You’ll see a list of your network adapters. Right-click the adapter that you use with your network and select Properties from the menu.

• Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the list and select Properties .

• Enable the Use the following IP address option on the following window.

• Select the IP address field and type the static IP address you’d like to assign to your PC.
• Fill in the Subnet mask field, which is usually 255.255.255.0 . Type your router’s gateway, which is usually 192.168.1.1 , in the Default gateway field.
• For DNS servers, you can use Google’s Public DNS. To use these, select the Preferred DNS server field and type 8.8.8.8 . Select the Alternate DNS server field and type 8.8.4.4 . Then, choose OK .
• Close the Properties window by selecting Close .

Your Windows 10 PC will disconnect from your router, and it will then automatically reconnect. After this reconnection, your PC should now have the specified static IP address allocated to it.

Assign a Static IP to Your Windows 11 PC

Like with Windows 10, you can use the Windows Settings app to assign a static IP address to your Windows 11 PC.

• Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings app.
• Select Network & internet from the sidebar on the left in Settings.

• Select Advanced network settings at the bottom of the Network & internet page.

• Find your network adapter in the list and select the adapter. Then, select View additional properties .

• Select Edit next to IP assignment .

• Choose Manual from the Edit IP settings dropdown menu. Then, toggle on the IPv4 option.

• Select the IP address field and type the static IP address to assign to your PC.

• Select the Subnet mask field and enter 255.255.255.0 . Enter your router’s IP address, which is usually 192.168.1.1 , in the Default gateway field.
• Enter 8.8.8.8 in the Preferred DNS field. Enter 8.8.4.4 in the Alternate DNS field.
• Select Save at the bottom.

And your Windows 11 PC now has a static IP address assigned to it. In the future, your PC will continue to acquire this static IP address from your router, provided there are no IP conflict issues with your router .

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he's written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm. Read Mahesh's Full Bio

Read More Posts:

• Is a New iPad Pro Coming Soon?
• Get It Now: Spring Tech Deals at Amazon
• When to Use a Static IP Address

Are static IP addresses better than dynamic addresses?

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• University of Illinois

In This Article

Jump to a Section

Static IP Address Uses

• Static vs. Dynamic
• When Not to Use a Static IP

Static IP Address Assignment on Home Networks

• Getting a Static Public IP Address

A static IP address, or fixed IP address , is an IP address that never changes. Not everyone needs a static IP address, but knowing how they differ from dynamic IP addresses can help you understand whether you should use a static IP address.

Here are some example situations for when you might need a static IP address:

• Setting up a home file server .
• Adding a second router to a network.
• Enabling access to a computer when away from home or work.
• Forwarding ports to certain devices.
• Sharing a printer over a network.
• Connecting to an IP camera when away from home.

Static & Dynamic: What They Mean

The terms static and dynamic are simple to understand. At the core, the only real change you'll notice between static versus dynamic IP addresses is that the former never changes, while the latter does.

Most people don't care if their IP address changes. If you never know what your IP address is and never have a reason to keep it the same, then dynamic addresses are fine for you.

However, if your network or computer is set up in a specific way where some devices would work easier and set up would be smoother for you as the admin if an IP address always stayed the same, then static addressing is what you want.

Static IP addresses are assigned manually by an administrator. In other words, the device receiving the static IP is given a specific address (such as 192.168.1.2 ), and from then on, the address never changes.

Dynamic IP addresses are not assigned manually. They are assigned automatically by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

When Static IP Addresses Are Used

Static IP addresses are necessary for devices that need constant access.

For example, a static IP address is necessary if your computer is configured as a server, such as an FTP server or web server. If you want to ensure that people can always access your computer to download files, force the computer to use a static, never-changing IP address.

If the server was assigned a dynamic IP address, it would change occasionally, preventing your router from knowing which computer on the network is the server.

If you want to access your home computer while you're on a trip or your work computer when you're at home, setting up the computer to use a static IP address lets you reach that computer at any time without fearing that the address will change and block your access to it.

A shared printer is another example of when to use a static IP address. If you have a printer that everyone in your house or office needs to share, give it an IP address that won't change no matter what. That way, when every computer is set up to connect to that printer, those connections remain indefinitely because the address never changes.

Here are some other reasons to use static IPs:

• They provide slightly better protection against network security problems than DHCP address assignment provides.
• Some network devices don't support DHCP.
• They help avoid potential  IP address conflicts where DHCP might supply an address already assigned elsewhere.
• They provide geolocation that's more accurate than a dynamic IP address.

When Not to Use a Static IP Address

Because a static IP address is assigned manually, it's less efficient for a network admin to give it out, especially in mobile situations. Someone must visit the device in person to give it an IP address instead of letting DHCP assign the address automatically.

For example, you wouldn't set a static IP address on a smartphone because the moment it reaches another Wi-Fi network, the address might not be supported on that network, meaning that it won't be able to access the internet.

Dynamic addressing is more convenient in this situation because it's easy for administrators to set up. DHCP works automatically with minimal intervention needed, allowing mobile devices to move between different networks seamlessly.

Businesses are more likely to use static IP addresses than home networks. Implementing static IP addresses isn't easy and frequently requires a knowledgeable technician.

However, you can have a static IP address for your home network. When making static IP assignments for local devices on home and other private networks, the address numbers should be chosen from the  private IP address  ranges defined by the Internet Protocol standard:

• 10.0.0.0–10.255.255.255
• 172.16.0.0–172.31.255.255
• 192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255

These ranges support thousands of IP addresses. It's common for people to assume they can choose any number in the range and that the specific choice doesn't matter much. This is untrue.

To choose and set specific static IP addresses suitable for your network, follow these guidelines:

• Do not choose any addresses that end with .0 or .255 . These addresses are usually reserved for use by network protocols .
• Do not choose the addresses at the beginning of a private range. Addresses like 10.0.0.1 , 192.168.0.1 , and 192.168.0.100 are commonly used by network routers and other consumer devices. These are the first addresses hackers attack when trying to break into a private computer network.
• Don't choose an IP address that falls outside the range of your local network. For example, to support all addresses in the 10.x.x.x private range, the subnet mask on all devices must be set to 255.0.0.0. If they aren't, some static IP addresses in this range don't work.

How to Get a Static Public IP Address

Internet service providers (ISP) traditionally assign all their IP addresses to customers dynamically, due to historical shortages of available IP numbers.

Contact your service provider if you prefer a static IP address. You can't get a static public IP address without requesting it from your ISP. Customers can sometimes obtain a static IP by subscribing to a special service plan and paying extra fees.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• What Is a Static IP Address?
• What Is a Public IP Address? (and How to Find Yours)
• What Is an IP Address?
• How Is 192.168.1.2 Used?
• What Is DHCP? (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
• Uses for the 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 IP Addresses
• What Is a Dynamic IP Address?
• Understanding the 192.168.1.100 IP Address
• NETGEAR Default Password List
• What Is a Private IP Address?
• How to Find Your IP Address on Windows 10
• What Is the 192.168.1.5 IP Address Used For?
• How to Work With IP Address 192.168.100.1
• Cisco Default Password List
• How to Change Your IP Address
• 192.168.1.4: IP Address for Local Networks

How-To Geek

How to set static ip addresses on your router.

Routers both modern and antiquated allow users to set static IP addresses for devices on the network, but what's the practical use of static IP addresses for a home user? Read on as we explore when you should, and shouldn't, assign a static IP.

Quick Links

Dhcp versus static ip assignment, when to use static ip addresses, assigning static ip addresses the smart way.

Dear How-To Geek, After reading over your five things to do with a new router article , I was poking around in the control panel of my router. One of the things I found among all the settings is a table to set static IP addresses. I'm pretty sure that section is self explanatory in as much as I get that it allows you to give a computer a permanent IP address, but I don't really understand why? I've never used that section before and everything on my home network seems to work fine. Should I be using it? It's obviously there for some reason, even if I'm not sure what that reason is! Sincerely, IP Curious

To help you understand the application of static IP addresses, let's start with the setup you (and most readers for that matter) have. The vasty majority of modern computer networks, including the little network in your home controlled by your router, use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). DHCP is a protocol that automatically assigns a new device an IP address from the pool of available IP addresses without any interaction from the user or a system administrator. Let's use an example to illustrate just how wonderful DHCP is and how easy it makes all of our lives.

Related: How to Set Up Static DHCP So Your Computer's IP Address Doesn't Change

Imagine that a friend visits with their iPad. They want to get on your network and update some apps on the iPad. Without DHCP, you would need to hop on a computer, log into your router's admin panel, and manually assign an available address to your friend's device, say 10.0.0.99. That address would be permanently assigned to your friend's iPad unless you went in later and manually released the address.

With DHCP, however, life is so much easier. Your friend visits, they want to jump on your network, so you give them the Wi-Fi password to login and you're done. As soon as the iPad connected to the router, the router's DHCP server checks the available list of IP addresses, and assigns an address with an expiration date built in. Your friend's iPad is given an address, connected to the network, and then when your friend leaves and is no longer using the network that address will return to the pool for available addresses ready to be assigned to another device.

All that happens behind the scenes and, assuming there isn't a critical error in the router's software, you'll never even need to pay attention to the DHCP process as it will be completely invisible to you. For most applications, like adding mobile devices to your network, general computer use, video game consoles, etc., this is a more than satisfactory arrangement and we should all be happy to have DHCP and not be burdened with the hassle of manually managing our IP assignment tables.

Although DHCP is really great and makes our lives easier, there are situations where using a manually assigned static IP address is quite handy. Let's look at a few situations where you would want to assign a static IP address in order to illustrate the benefits of doing so.

You need reliable name resolution on your network for computers that need to be consistently and accurately found. Although networking protocols have advanced over the years, and the majority of the time using a more abstract protocol like SMB (Server Message Block) to visit computers and shared folders on your network using the familiar //officecomputer/shared_music/ style address works just fine, for some applications it falls apart. For example, when setting up media syncing on XBMC it's necessary to use the IP address of your media source instead of the SMB name.

Any time you rely on a computer or a piece of software to accurately and immediately locate another computer on your network (as is the case with our XBMC example - the client devices need to find the media server hosting the material) with the least chance of error, assigning a static IP address is the way to go. Direct IP-based resolution remains the most stable and error free method of communicating on a network.

You want to impose a human-friendly numbering scheme onto your network devices. For network assignments like giving an address to your friend's iPad or your laptop, you probably don't care where in the available address block the IP comes from because you don't really need to know (or care). If you have devices on your network that you regularly access using command line tools or other IP-oriented applications, it can be really useful to assignment permanent addresses to those devices in a scheme that is friendly to the human memory.

For example, if left to its own devices our router would assign any available address to our three Raspberry Pi XBMC units. Because we frequently tinker with those units and access them by their IP addresses, it made sense to permanently assign addresses to them that would be logical and easy to remember:

The .90 unit is in the basement, the .91 unit is on the first floor, and the .92 unit is on the second floor.

You have an application the expressly relies on IP addresses.  Some applications will only allow you to supple an IP address to refer to other computers on the network. In such cases it would be extremely annoying to have to change the IP address in the application every time the IP address of the remote computer was changed in the DHCP table. Assigning a permanent address to the remote computer prevents you from the hassle of frequently updating your applications. This is why it's quite useful to assign any computer that functions as a server of any sort to a permanent address.

Before you just start assigning static IP addresses left and right, let's go over some basic network hygiene tips that will save you from a headache down the road.

First, check what the IP pool available on your router is. Your router will have a total pool and a pool specifically reserved for DHCP assignments. The total pool available to home routers is typically 10.0.0.0 through 10.255.255.255 or 192.168.0.0 through 192.168.255.255 . Then, within those ranges a smaller pool is reserved for the DHCP server, typically around 252 addresses in a range like 10.0.0.2 through 10.0.0.254. Once you know the general pool, you should use the following rules to assign static IP addresses:

• Never assign an address that ends in .0 or .255 as these addresses are typically reserved for network protocols. This is the reason the example IP address pool above ends at .254.
• Never assign an address to the very start of the IP pool, e.g. 10.0.0.1 as the start address is always reserved for the router. Even if you've changed the IP address of your router for security purposes , we'd still suggest against assigning a computer.
• Never assign an address outside of the total available pool of private IP addresses. This means if your router's pool is 10.0.0.0 through 10.255.255.255 every IP you assign (keeping in mind the prior two rules) should fall within that range. Given that there are nearly 17 million addresses in that pool, we're sure you can find one you like.

Some people prefer to only use addresses outside of the DHCP range (e.g. they leave the 10.0.0.2 through 10.0.0.254 block completely untouched) but we don't feel strongly enough about that to consider it an outright rule. Given the improbability of a home user needing 252 device addresses simultaneously, it's perfectly fine to assign a device to one of those addresses if you'd prefer to keep everything in, say, the 10.0.0.x block.

Related: How and Why All Devices in Your Home Share One IP Address

How To Set Up A Static IP Address To A Windows 11 Computer

A static IP address is needed sometimes. But the question is that many Windows users don’t know how to set up a static IP on their computers. Noticing this, MiniTool decided to introduce static IP address to you and shows you the detailed steps on how to assign a static IP address to a Windows 11/10 computer. Please read with care.

This page will focus on how to set up a static IP on Windows 11 (or Windows 10) PC. Before going through the steps to set a static IP address Windows 11, I’d like to discuss what a static IP address is and the differences between static IP address and dynamic IP address. After that, I’ll tell you when you need to assign a static IP address and how to use a static IP address.

What Is Laptop MAC Address? How To Find & Change It On Windows 10?

MiniTool Power Data Recovery Trial Click to Download 100% Clean & Safe

What Is Static IP Address

What does IP address mean? An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number assigned to every device on a network; it identifies the computers connected to the internet and used by network devices to communicate with other devices.

What is a static IP address? To be specific, a static IP address is a permanent (32 bit) number assigned to a computer via ISP (Internet service provider). All in all, the static IP address is known as fixed IP address or dedicated IP address that is relative to the dynamic IP address.

Static vs Dynamic IP Addresses

What is a dynamic IP address? Dynamic means change; Dynamic addresses are assigned by the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) servers and they are changed from time to time.

What are the main differences between static IP address and dynamic IP address? The static IP address doesn’t change while the dynamic IP address changes over time.

What does DHCP server configuration mean? How to install and configure the DHCP server on the computer you use?

In the following content, I’ll tell you why you need to use a static IP address. Then, I’ll show you how to set a static IP address.

Why Should You Use Static IP Address

What are the reasons for setting up a static IP address on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer?

• The external devices, websites, or services need to remember your IP address.
• You host a web server or other internet server.
• You need to forward ports to a specific device.
• It’s necessary to run a print server.
• There’s a file server in your network.
• The networked printer or remote access program (like VPN) is used.

If you assign a static IP address to computer, it will use the same IP address when connecting to network.

The VPN error happens now and then on both Windows platform and macOS; I’d like to share the most effective ways to fix it.

Advantages of setting up a static IP address:

• Great DNS support
• Reliable communication
• Convenient remote access
• Easy server hosting discovery
• Improved geo-location services

How to Set up a Static IP Address

How to assign a static IP address to a device? Let’s take Windows 11 computer as an example. As for how to set a static IP address on Windows 10 PC, the steps are basically the same.

There are 3 common ways to set up a static IP on Windows 11/10.

Set up a Static IP Address from Settings

• Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
• Go to the Network & internet option in the left pane.
• Select the Ethernet or WiFi connection you’re using.
• Locate the IP assignment section and click Edit .
• The Edit network IP settings window will appear.
• Select Manual from the drop-down menu.
• Turn on IPv4 and set a static IP address.
• Set the Subnet prefix length to 24 and Gateway to 10.1.2.1.
• Configure the Preferred DNS address or enter the Alternate DNS address if you have any.
• Click Save .

Assign a Static IP Address via Command Prompt

• Run Command Prompt as administrator.
• Type ipconfig /all and press Enter .
• Go to your Network Adapter to find information: IPv4 address , Subnet mask , Default Gateway , and DNS servers .
• Type netsh interface ip set address name=”*” static ip_address subnet_mask default_gateway and press Enter . (* stands for the network name and you should type the correct static IP address, Subnet mask and default gateway.)
• Please run the netsh interface ip set dns name=”DNS name” static dns_server command if you want to assign a static DNS server address.

Read this if you don’t know how to run a program as administrator in Windows 11:

Do you know how to run program as administrator in Windows 11? There are several ways available to run as administrator.

Set a Static IP Address using PowerShell

• Open Windows Powershell as administrator.
• Type Get-NetIPConfiguration and press Enter .
• Information to note down: InterfaceIndex , IPv4Address , IPv4DefaultGateway , and DNSServer .
• Type New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceIndex value -IPAddress value -PrefixLength value -DefaultGateway value and press Enter .
• Type Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex value -ServerAddresses value and press Enter if you’d like to assign a DNS server address.

That’s all about how to set up a static IP.

How To Enable DHCP Or Change TCP/IP Settings In Windows 11/10?

About The Author

Position: Columnist

How to Set a Static IP Address on Raspberry Pi

Make sure your Pi has the same IP every time you boot.

If you're trying to access a Raspberry Pi on your local network, there are times when you'll really need its IP address. Sure, you can usually SSH or VNC into a Pi by using its hostname, but for something like port forwarding on a router (which you'll use to create an externally-accessible Minecraft server or web server), an actual IP v4 address may be needed. The problem: every time you reboot your Pi, the IP address can change, based on what the router decides to assign at the moment.

Fortunately, there's a simple way to make sure that your Raspberry Pi always gets the same IP address on your local network or, at least, always tries to get the same address on your local network. It almost goes without saying that if, at the time it boots, another device that's powered on is already using the address in question, your Pi will either have no IP v4 address at all or (if you configured it as such) it will choose an alternative one. So keep that in mind.

Note that this tutorial assumes you already have a Raspberry Pi that's connected to your network. If not, please see our tutorials on how to set up a Raspberry Pi and how to set up a headless Raspberry Pi (no monitor required).

How to Assign a Static IP to a Raspberry Pi

1. Determine your Raspberry PI's current IP v4 address if you don't already know it. The easiest way to do this is by using the hostname -I command at the command prompt. If you know its hostname, you can also ping the Pi from a different computer on the network.

2. Get your router's IP address if you don't already know it. The easiest way to do this is to use the command ip r and take the address that appears after "default via."

3. Get the IP address of your DNS (domain name server) by enter the command below. This may or may not be the same as your router's IP. 

Now that you have the IP address your Pi is currently using, the router's IP address and the DNS IP address, you can edit the appropriate configuration file.

Stay on the Cutting Edge

Join the experts who read Tom's Hardware for the inside track on enthusiast PC tech news — and have for over 25 years. We'll send breaking news and in-depth reviews of CPUs, GPUs, AI, maker hardware and more straight to your inbox.

4. Open /etc/dhcpcd.conf for editing in nano.

5. Add the following lines to the bottom of the file. If such lines already exist and are not commented out, remove them.

Replace the comments in brackets in the box below with the correct information. Interface will be either wlan0 for Wi-Fi or eth0 for Ethernet.

In our case, it looked like this.

You may wish to substitute "inform" for "static" on the last line. Using inform means that the Raspberry Pi will attempt to get the IP address you requested, but if it's not available, it will choose another. If you use static, it will have no IP v4 address at all if the requested one is in use.

6. Save the file by hitting CTRL + X and reboot . 

From now on, upon each boot, the Pi will attempt to obtain the static ip address you requested.

Using the Raspberry Pi OS Guide to Set a Static IP

If you already have all the information about your router's IP and DNS IP, you can configure the static IP address using the Network Preferences menu instead of editing the dhcpcd.conf file.

1. Right click on the network status icon and select the Wireless & Wired Network Settings.

2. Select the appropriate interface . If you're configuring a static IP for Wi-FI, choose wlan0. For Ethernet, choose eth0.

3. Enter the IP addresses into the relevant fields.  Your desired IP address will be in the IPv4 field, followed by a /24. Your router's IP and DNS server's IP will be in the fields named after them.

4. Click Apply , close the window and reboot your Pi.

Your Pi will now attempt to use your desired IP address at each boot. However, the Network Preferences menu sets this as a preference, not an absolute. So, if the IP address you asked for is not available, it will use another.

We tried to install Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi 5 — lack of internet connectivity left us stuck

Lego Technic autoclicker taps in at record-breaking 70 clicks per second, if your mouse can survive it

AMD 170W Granite Ridge Zen 5 CPUs and 128W Strix Point APUs revealed in shipping manifest — 16-core 'Fire Range' mobile CPUs also coming

• AusMatt Typo: grep "namesever" /etc/resolv.conf Should read: grep "name r sever" /etc/resolv.conf Reply
• alan tracey wootton With an Arduino that is serving a web page one can use mDns instead of keeping track of the local IP address. Add this to your Setup(): if (MDNS.begin("esp32")) { MDNS.setInstanceName("count server demo"); MDNS.addService("http", "tcp", 80); MDNS.addServiceTxt("http","tcp","counter","true"); }Then that webpage is available locally in chrome and safari as: http://esp32.local./I didn't test the other browsers. I'm sure this works for a Pi also even though I haven't tried it yet. mDns might be on by default. The url would be http:// raspberrypi .local./To check, try this command: dns-sd -B _http._tcpWhen I do that I find that both of my printers are serving http (a supply level page) in addition to the microcontroller. Reply
• wl84 When I run the nameserver command I get two results back - 192.168.11.1 and 192.168.68.1. I tried both in the config and I can't connect to anythign with either. I'm trying to setup pihole Reply
• View All 3 Comments

Most Popular

By Les Pounder February 19, 2024

By Avram Piltch February 18, 2024

By Sammy Ekaran February 12, 2024

By Sammy Ekaran February 11, 2024

By Avram Piltch February 06, 2024

By Sammy Ekaran February 04, 2024

By Avram Piltch February 03, 2024

By Les Pounder January 24, 2024

By Sammy Ekaran January 05, 2024

By Sammy Ekaran January 04, 2024

By Sammy Ekaran December 24, 2023

How to Fix the "Ethernet Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration" Error on Windows

There are a few reasons your ethernet may not have a valid IP configuration, but there are plenty of possible fixes.

Quick Links

• Perform Some Preliminary Checks
• Discharge Static Charge
• Reset TCP/IP Stack and Winsock Catalog
• Configure IPv4 to Obtain IP Address Automatically
• Release and Renew Your IP Address
• Flush the DNS Cache
• Reinstall the Ethernet Driver
• Disable Proxy Server Over LAN
• Temporarily Disable Antivirus Protection

Key Takeaways

• Encountering the "Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration" error indicates that your router has failed to assign an IP address to your PC.
• To resolve this error, you should discharge any static charge, reset the TCP/IP Stack and Winsock Catalog, and set your IP assignment settings to Automatic (DHCP).
• If the issue persists, release and renew your IP address, flush the DNS cache, reinstall the ethernet driver, turn off any proxy server over LAN, and temporarily turn off antivirus software.

Have you run the network troubleshooter to diagnose a problem with your ethernet connection, and it showed the error "Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration"? If so, your router has failed to assign an IP address to your PC via DHCP. Here are some potential solutions you can try to resolve this issue.

1. Perform Some Preliminary Checks

Begin troubleshooting by performing some basic checks. First, restart your computer. Then, disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer and router and reconnect it. Make sure that the ethernet cable is not damaged. Also, connect the ethernet cable to different ports on your router and computer to rule out any port issues. After that, reboot your router (or reset it ).

If these basic checks fail to identify the leading cause of the error, you can proceed to apply the remaining fixes listed below.

2. Discharge Static Charge

The presence of static charge on your computer can cause unforeseen errors. It could also potentially affect your ethernet connection. So, discharge it to rule out this possibility. To do so, shut down your computer, disconnect any external devices, and remove the power cables. Then, hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to discharge the static charge.

Following that, reconnect the power cables and restart your PC. Run the troubleshooter once again, and if the errors persist, apply the next fix.

3. Reset TCP/IP Stack and Winsock Catalog

Winsock is an API used by network applications to access network services like TCP/IP, and it stores its information in a database called the Winsock Catalog. Resetting this catalog and TCP/IP Stack often resolves network-related issues. To perform this reset via Command Prompt, you can follow these steps:

• Open the Windows Search and type "Command Prompt."
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator .

4. Configure IPv4 to Obtain IP Address Automatically

If you've manually configured your IP address, consider setting it to be assigned automatically by your router or another access point. To do this, follow these steps: Right-click the Start button and select Settings . Then, navigate to Network & internet in the left-sidebar and open Ethernet settings.

Within the network properties, click the Edit button next to IP assignment and select Automatic (DHCP) from the dropdown menu. Finally, click Save to apply the changes.

5. Release and Renew Your IP Address

Refreshing your internet connection by releasing and renewing your IP address can resolve IP conflicts and other network issues. Releasing your IP address frees it from your router, while renewing assigns your device the same or a different IP address, which resolves most IP address-related errors.

To release and renew your IP address, follow these steps:

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator as previously instructed.

6. Flush the DNS Cache

Flushing the DNS clears DNS records from your cache and prompts your device to retrieve the information from the DNS again. This often resolves network-related issues. To flush the DNS cache on your Windows PC , open the Command Prompt app as an administrator, type in the following command, and press Enter:

Once you've flushed the DNS cache, restart your computer. Then, run the troubleshooter if the ethernet connection still isn't working. If the issue persists, proceed to apply the next fix.

7. Reinstall the Ethernet Driver

A corrupted ethernet driver could also cause the error. To eliminate this possibility, uninstall and reinstall the ethernet driver from scratch. Before doing that, ensure you have a copy of the ethernet driver. If you don't have one, you can connect your PC to Wi-Fi to download it or download it onto another device and transfer it to your PC via a USB drive.

Once you have the driver file, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager .
• Then, expand the Network adapters category.

Then, run the driver file you downloaded earlier and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. If the issue persists after reinstalling the driver, turn off the proxy server.

8. Disable Proxy Server Over LAN

Configuring a proxy server over a LAN could interfere with your router's ability to assign an IP address to your PC. So, ensure that the proxy server isn't enabled, and disable it if it is currently enabled. To do so, follow these steps:

• Type "Internet Options" in the Windows Search bar and open it.
• Then, navigate to the Connections tab and click the LAN settings button.
• If the box beside Use a proxy server for your LAN is checked, uncheck it to turn off the proxy server.

9. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Protection

Interference from Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software could potentially cause the error in question. To rule out this possibility, temporarily turn off your security suite. Temporarily disable Windows Security on Windows 11 or Windows 10 . If you use a third-party antivirus software, turn it off or temporarily uninstall it.

If turning off the antivirus protection doesn't resolve the problem, your final option should be to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

If you've been unable to identify the root cause of the problem despite applying the above fixes, there could be a hardware issue with your router that you may not be able to resolve independently. So, contact a representative from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and request their assistance in investigating the issue further.

Hopefully, the above solutions will help you diagnose the problem and successfully reconnect your PC to the internet via ethernet. If nothing works, assistance from your ISP will rescue you.

Identify your location to see services, offers, and more - specific to you.

If not, please update your primary location .

Why do we ask this? GCI offer products and services specific to some locations. It's our way of ensuring you see the right information, right when you need it.

Assigning a static IP address to devices on your network

February 22, 2024

• From the home scren, tap the Gear  icon on the top right to access the Settings  page.
• Choose  Advanced Settings towards the bottom of the page.
• Tap on New IP Reservation .
• Select your desired device.
• If desired, you can edit the name and IP address of the device, or just tap on  Apply . Your device should now be assigned to the new static IP. If you want, you can now  set up Port Forwarding .

Website Feedback