Need to change your IP address in Windows 10? The right fix depends on whether you want a new local network address, a static address that stays put, or a different public IP for websites.
Start with the method that matches the result you want. Renew DHCP for a fresh router-assigned local address, use Windows Settings for static IP changes, and use a VPN or proxy for the address websites see.
Renew your local IP address from Command Prompt
Use this when your PC gets its address automatically from your router and you want Windows to request a fresh local address. It applies to DHCP-configured Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, and the router controls which address comes back.
Search from the taskbar for Command Prompt, then choose Run as administrator. Select Yes when Windows asks for permission. Run ipconfig /release and let Windows drop the current DHCP lease. Then run ipconfig /renew to request an address again from the router.
Set a static IPv4 address in Windows Settings
A static IPv4 address is for keeping the same local address on your home or office network. Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
For Wi-Fi, open Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, then choose your network. For Ethernet, open Ethernet, then select the connected Ethernet network.
Find IP assignment, choose Edit, set Edit IP settings to Manual, and turn on IPv4. Enter the IP address, Subnet mask, Gateway, Preferred DNS, and Alternate DNS, then choose Save. If this method fails, switch back to Automatic (DHCP) in IP assignment, choose Save, and let the router assign the address.
Switch back to automatic DHCP
Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet. For Wi-Fi, open Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and choose the saved network. For Ethernet, open Ethernet and select the connected Ethernet network.
Under IP assignment, choose Edit. Set Edit IP settings to Automatic (DHCP), then choose Save. Use DHCP again after a failed static setup or any time you want your router to manage the address.
Try IPv6 only when your network supports it
IPv6 setup is separate from IPv4 and helps only when your network, router, and ISP support IPv6. Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
For Wi-Fi, go to Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and choose the network; for Ethernet, go to Ethernet and select the connected Ethernet network. Choose IP assignment > Edit, set Edit IP settings to Manual, and turn on IPv6.
Enter the IP address, Subnet prefix length, Gateway, Preferred DNS, and Alternate DNS. Then choose Save.
Reset broken IP settings
This fixes a damaged TCP/IP or DHCP setup, not a public IP change. Search from the taskbar for Command Prompt, then choose Run as administrator. Select Yes when the permission prompt appears.
Run netsh winsock reset, then run netsh int ip reset. Next, run ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew. Run ipconfig /flushdns before you test the connection again.
Change the public IP websites see
Your Windows local IP and your public internet-facing IP are different. Use these options when you want websites or online services to see a different address.
- 1.Restart your network hardware by unplugging the router, unplugging the modem, waiting at least 30 seconds, reconnecting the modem, waiting for the lights to stabilize, then reconnecting the router.
- 2.Use a VPN by opening Start > Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Add a VPN connection, choosing Windows (built-in), saving the profile, selecting it, and choosing Connect.
- 3.Use your VPN provider's app from the provider or Microsoft Store, sign in, choose a server or location, and choose Connect.
- 4.Use a system proxy by opening Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, then setting Automatically detect settings, Use setup script, or Use a proxy server.
- 5.For a saved VPN, open Start > Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, choose the VPN, open Advanced options, edit Proxy settings for this VPN connection, and choose Apply.
Use random hardware addresses on Wi-Fi
Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Turn on Use random hardware addresses to apply the setting to Wi-Fi networks when your adapter supports it.
For one saved network, open Manage known networks, choose the network, select Properties, and turn on Use random hardware addresses for this network. Reconnect to that Wi-Fi network so the router treats the PC as a different device. This changes Wi-Fi hardware address behavior and can lead to a new DHCP lease, but it does not force a new IP address.
Use command line tools for repeat setups
Command-line tools are for repeatable adapter setups and admin work. Windows Settings is the simpler route for normal one-time changes.
For netsh, search for Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator, then run netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces to identify the adapter. Run netsh interface ipv4 set address name="[adapter]" static [IP] [mask] [gateway] to set a static IPv4 address.
To return that adapter to DHCP with netsh, run netsh interface ipv4 set address name="[adapter]" dhcp. Enabling DHCP removes previous static IPv4 addresses and default gateways on that interface.
For PowerShell, search for Windows PowerShell, choose Run as administrator, then use Get-NetIPInterface or Get-NetIPConfiguration to identify the interface. Use New-NetIPAddress or Set-NetIPAddress with the interface index, IP address, and prefix length.
To remove a manual address in PowerShell, use Get-NetIPAddress to identify it, then run Remove-NetIPAddress -IPAddress [IP] or Remove-NetIPAddress -PrefixOrigin Manual. If this method fails, use Windows Settings to return the adapter to Automatic (DHCP) and renew the address again.
Check managed VPN and proxy settings
Use this when the PC belongs to work or school, or when VPN and proxy controls are already set for you. Managed devices can receive VPN and proxy settings from MDM, Intune, Group Policy, or another administrator-controlled setup.
Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet. Check VPN for profiles already installed on the PC. Check Proxy for automatic detection, setup script, or manual proxy settings already applied.
Change only the personal settings you can access. Ask the device administrator to update managed VPN, proxy, DHCP, or Edge enterprise proxy rules. Older Microsoft Edge proxy policies such as ProxyMode, ProxyServer, ProxyPacUrl, and ProxyBypassList are deprecated; current Edge enterprise setups use the newer proxy policy surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Windows 10 IP address change my public IP online?
A static or DHCP address in Windows changes the local network address. To change the IP websites see, use a VPN, a proxy, cellular data, or restart the modem and router; the ISP controls whether that restart gets a new public IP.
Why did ipconfig /renew give me the same IP address again?
DHCP asks the router for an address, and the router or DHCP server controls the lease. It can assign the same address again.
Should I use IPv4 or IPv6 in Windows 10?
Use IPv4 for a typical home static IP setup. Configure IPv6 only when your network, router, and ISP support it and you have the required IPv6 address details.
What is the safest way to undo a bad static IP setup?
Go back to IP assignment in Windows Settings, choose Automatic (DHCP), save, then renew the DHCP lease from Command Prompt if needed.