What changing your IP address means and why you might do it

Your IP address is a number assigned to your device that identifies it on the internet — similar to a mailing address for your computer or phone. When you change your IP address, you are asking your internet service provider (ISP) or your router to assign you a different number. This is different from hiding your IP address with a VPN or proxy; you are actually getting a new one from your ISP's pool of available addresses.

Most people change their IP address to fix a connection problem, reset their network after a security issue, or stop a service from blocking their old address. Some change it to troubleshoot a device that cannot reach a website or service. The method depends on whether you want to change the address your ISP assigns to your home network, or the address your device uses on your local network at home.

Key Takeaways

  • Restarting your modem and router is the fastest way to get a new IP address from your ISP, and works for most home internet setups.
  • On Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, you can manually set a static IP address in your network settings if you need a specific address for your local network.
  • Unplugging your modem for 30 seconds forces it to request a fresh IP address from your ISP when it powers back on.
  • If your ISP assigns you the same address repeatedly, you may need to contact them directly to request a new one.

Getting a new IP address from your ISP by restarting your modem

The simplest method is to restart your modem — the device your ISP provides that connects your home to the internet. When your modem restarts, it contacts your ISP and requests a new IP address. Most of the time, you will receive a different address. This usually takes two to five minutes.

Unplug the power cable from the back of your modem and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the lights to stabilize — usually two to three minutes. Once the lights stop blinking, your modem has reconnected and you likely have a new IP address. You can check your new address by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

If you have a combined modem and router (sometimes called a gateway), restart that device instead. If you have a separate modem and router, restart the modem first, wait for it to fully reconnect, then restart the router. Restarting only the router will not change your IP address — it will only change the addresses of devices on your home network.

Changing your IP address on Windows

If you need to set a specific IP address for your Windows device on your home network, you can do this in your network settings. This does not change the address your ISP assigns; it changes the address your device uses when talking to other devices at home.

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select your connection type (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Click on your network name, then scroll down and select "Edit" next to IP settings. Choose "Manual" and toggle on IPv4. Enter the IP address you want to use, your subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), and your gateway address (usually the same as your router's address, often 192.168.1.1). Click Save.

If you do not know your gateway address or subnet mask, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "Default Gateway" and "Subnet Mask" in the results. Write these down before you change your settings. If something goes wrong, you can always select "Automatic" again to let your router assign an address.

Changing your IP address on Mac

On a Mac, you can set a static IP address through System Preferences. Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then go to Network. Select your connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and click Details. Go to the TCP/IP tab.

Click the dropdown that says "Configure IPv4" and select "Manual". Enter the IP address you want, your subnet mask, and your router address (gateway). If you need to find these numbers first, go back to the Network settings, select your connection, and click Details — the current gateway and subnet mask will be shown in the TCP/IP tab. Click OK and then Apply.

Changing your IP address on iPhone and Android

On most phones, you cannot manually set a static IP address through the regular settings — your router assigns addresses automatically. However, some Android phones allow this in Advanced Wi-Fi settings. Open Settings, go to Wi-Fi, long-press your network name, select "Modify", then look for "IP settings" or "Advanced options". If your phone offers a "Static" option, you can enter an IP address there.

On iPhone, you cannot set a static IP address in iOS settings. If you need your iPhone to use a specific address, you must set it on your router instead. Log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 in a browser), find your iPhone's name in the connected devices list, and assign it a static address there. The steps vary by router model, so check your router's manual or manufacturer website for instructions.

What to do if your ISP keeps assigning you the same address

Some ISPs assign the same address to your modem even after you restart it, especially if you restart within a short time. If restarting your modem does not give you a new address after several tries, you can try unplugging it for longer — some ISPs use a 24-hour lease period, meaning your modem will keep requesting the same address until that lease expires.

Unplug your modem for at least one hour, or overnight if possible. When you plug it back in, the lease period may have expired and your ISP will assign a fresh address. If this does not work, contact your ISP directly and ask them to release your current IP address and assign you a new one. They can do this from their end without you doing anything on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address affect my internet speed?

No. Your IP address is just an identifier — changing it does not affect how fast data moves through your connection. If you are trying to fix a slow connection, changing your IP address will not solve it. The problem is usually with your ISP, your modem, or interference on your Wi-Fi channel.

Can I choose what IP address I get?

No, not from your ISP. Your ISP controls which addresses are available and assigns them automatically. You can only choose an address for your device on your home network by setting a static address in your device settings or router. That address only works at home and does not affect your public IP address.

Do I need to restart my router after restarting my modem?

Not usually. Your router will automatically reconnect to your modem once it is back online. However, if you want to also give your home devices new local addresses, you can restart the router after the modem finishes reconnecting. Wait for the modem to fully stabilize first.

What if I set a static IP address and now I cannot connect to the internet?

Go back to your network settings and select "Automatic" or "DHCP" instead of Manual. This tells your router to assign an address automatically. Your device should reconnect within a few seconds. If it does not, restart your device or your router.

Is changing my IP address the same as using a VPN?

No. Changing your IP address means getting a new one from your ISP — people can still see your new address when you visit websites. A VPN hides your address by routing your traffic through another server. They serve different purposes.