What changing your IP address means and when you might do it
Your IP address is a number assigned to your device that identifies it on the internet — like a mailing address for data. When you change your IP address, you get a new one, which disconnects your device from its current online identity and assigns it a different one. This is different from changing your physical location or your internet service provider.
People change their IP address for several reasons: to troubleshoot connection problems, to reset a device that is not connecting properly, to get around a temporary block from a website or service, or to refresh their connection after a long period online. The method depends on what type of device you have and what kind of internet connection you use.
Key Takeaways
- Restarting your modem and router is the simplest way to get a new IP address on most home internet connections.
- On a computer or phone, you can manually set a static IP address through network settings, or release and renew your current one through command-line tools.
- Unplugging your modem for 30 seconds to a few minutes forces your internet service provider to assign you a new address.
- Some IP address changes happen automatically when you move to a different network, such as switching from home WiFi to mobile data.
Changing your IP address by restarting your modem and router
The fastest and most common way to get a new IP address is to restart the equipment that connects you to the internet. Your modem is the device that connects to your internet service provider's network. Your router is the device that broadcasts WiFi to your home. Restarting both forces your modem to request a new IP address from your service provider.
Unplug your modem first, wait 30 seconds to a few minutes, then plug it back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking and stabilize — this usually takes two to five minutes. Then unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once the router lights stabilize, your devices should connect with a new IP address. You can check your new address by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
If you have a modem and router in one combined unit, unplug that single device, wait the same amount of time, and plug it back in. The restart process is the same.
Releasing and renewing your IP address on Windows
On a Windows computer, you can force your device to release its current IP address and request a new one from your network without restarting your modem. This works on home networks, office networks, and public WiFi. Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key and typing "cmd", then right-click and select "Run as administrator".
Type the following command and press Enter: ipconfig /release. This tells your device to give up its current IP address. Then type this command and press Enter: ipconfig /renew. This tells your device to request a new IP address from the network. You should see a new IP address appear in the results. The whole process takes less than a minute.
If you want to see your current IP address before and after, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that is your current IP address.
Releasing and renewing your IP address on Mac
On a Mac, you can release and renew your IP address through the System Preferences menu without restarting your modem. Click the Apple menu, select "System Preferences" or "System Settings" (depending on your macOS version), then click "Network".
Select your current network connection from the left side — usually "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on how you are connected. Click the "Advanced" button, then click the "TCP/IP" tab. Click the "Renew DHCP Lease" button. Your Mac will release its current IP address and request a new one from the network. The process takes a few seconds.
To see your current IP address, stay in the TCP/IP tab — it appears next to "IPv4 Address". You can also open Terminal, type ifconfig, and press Enter to see all your network information.
Changing your IP address on iPhone or Android
On a phone, the simplest way to get a new IP address is to turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then turn it off. This disconnects your phone from WiFi and cellular networks, then reconnects it. When it reconnects, your phone requests a new IP address from the network.
If you are connected to WiFi, you can also forget the network and reconnect to it. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find your network, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Network". Then reconnect to the same network by selecting it and entering the password. On Android, go to Settings, tap Network and Internet, tap Wi-Fi, find your network, tap and hold it, and select "Forget". Then reconnect the same way.
You can check your IP address on a phone by opening a web browser and searching "what is my IP". The search result will show your current address.
Getting a new IP address by moving to a different network
Your IP address changes automatically when you connect to a completely different network. If you are at home on your WiFi and you leave to go to a coffee shop with different WiFi, your phone or laptop will get a new IP address from that coffee shop's network. The same happens when you switch from WiFi to cellular data on your phone — your cellular network assigns you a different IP address than your home WiFi does.
This is the least controlled way to change your IP address because you do not choose the new one — the network you connect to assigns it. But it is useful to know that simply moving to a different location and connecting to a different network will give you a new IP address without any action on your part.
Setting a static IP address if you need a permanent one
If you want your device to keep the same IP address instead of getting a new one, you can set a static IP address through your device's network settings. This is different from changing your IP address — it is about keeping one stable. Static addresses are useful if you are running a server, hosting a website from home, or need other devices to always find your computer at the same address.
On Windows, go to Settings, click Network and Internet, click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, click "Change adapter options", right-click your connection, select Properties, select "Internet Protocol Version 4", click Properties, and select "Use the following IP address". You will need to enter an IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway — your router's manual or support page will tell you what these should be for your network.
On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Network, select your connection, click Advanced, click TCP/IP, and change "Configure IPv4" from "Using DHCP" to "Manually". Then enter the IP address, subnet mask, and router address. On iPhone and Android, the process is similar — go to your WiFi settings, tap the network details, and look for an option to set a static IP or manual configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my IP address disconnect me from the internet?
Temporarily, yes. When you restart your modem or release and renew your IP address, your connection will drop for a few seconds to a minute while the new address is assigned. Any downloads, video calls, or online games will pause during this time. Once the new address is assigned, you reconnect automatically.
Can I choose what my new IP address will be?
No, not when you use the automatic methods like restarting your modem or releasing and renewing. Your internet service provider or network assigns the new address to you. The only way to choose a specific IP address is to set a static one manually through your device settings, and even then you are limited to addresses that work on your network.
How often does my IP address change on its own?
On most home internet connections, your IP address stays the same until you restart your modem or your service provider updates it. This can be weeks or months. Some service providers change customer IP addresses periodically as part of routine maintenance. Mobile networks change your IP address every time you disconnect and reconnect to cellular data.
Do I need to change my IP address to fix internet problems?
Sometimes. If your device is not connecting to the internet or a website is not loading, restarting your modem often fixes it by assigning a new IP address. If a website has blocked your IP address, getting a new one will let you access it again. But if the problem is with your device itself or your service provider's network, changing your IP address will not help.
What is the difference between my public IP and my private IP?
Your public IP address is what the internet sees — it is assigned by your internet service provider and is unique to your home or business. Your private IP address is what your devices use to talk to each other on your home network — it is assigned by your router and is only visible inside your network. When you restart your modem, your public IP usually changes. When you restart your router, your private IP might change.