How to Change Your IP Address on Windows 11

People searching for how to change an IP address on Windows 11 usually want one of two things: change the private address of the PC on the local network, or get a new public address from the internet. The two work differently, so here is each.

Option 1: Renew your address automatically

If your PC uses DHCP, which is the default, you can ask the router for a fresh lease. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

Then run ipconfig to see the result. The router often gives the same address back, because it remembers your device.

Option 2: Set a static IP address

1. Open Settings, then Network & internet.
2. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet and open the properties of your connection.
3. Next to IP assignment, select Edit and change it from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
4. Turn on IPv4 and enter:
   • IP address: for example 192.168.1.50
   • Subnet prefix length: 24 (the same as mask 255.255.255.0)
   • Gateway: your router, often 192.168.1.1
   • Preferred DNS: for example 1.1.1.1
5. Select Save.

Pick an address on the same network as your router, outside the range its DHCP server hands out, so two devices never share it. If you are unsure about the prefix length, use our subnet calculator.

The command-line way

In an administrator Command Prompt, replace the adapter name with yours:

netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet" static 192.168.1.50 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

To go back to automatic addressing, run netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet" dhcp.

Option 3: Change your public IP address

Nothing you change in Windows alters the address websites see, because that belongs to your router. To get a new public address, restart your router, ask your provider, or use a VPN. All are covered in how to change your IP address. You can confirm the change on our IP checker.

Troubleshooting

• No internet after setting a static IP. The gateway, prefix or DNS is probably wrong. Switch back to automatic and try again.
• “IP address conflict” message. Another device already uses that address. Choose a different one.
• Not sure what a private address is? Read public vs private IP addresses.