This wikiHow teaches you how to change the public IP address on your computer by restarting your router. If you want to change the private IP address, or the IP address in a local network, you'll need to use the command line interface on Windows, or change the connection settings on a Mac.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing the Public IP Address
Step 1. Find the IP address your computer is currently using
To ensure that the IP address change is successful, you must know the IP address that is currently in use.
Step 2. Turn off the device for which you want to change the IP address, such as a computer, phone, or tablet
Step 3. Unplug the internet and power cables from your router and modem
Your Wi-Fi network will restart.
If your router also functions as a modem, unplug the internet and power cables from the router
Step 4. Wait for five minutes
This way, your internet service provider (ISP) can assign a new IP address to your network.
Step 5. Reconnect the power and internet cables to the modem, then wait for all the lights on the modem to flash or light up
Step 6. Connect the modem to the router
Wait for the lights on the router to stop flashing and turn on constantly.
Step 7. Turn on the device
Once the device is turned on, it will automatically connect to the internet. However, sometimes you have to select a network and connect the device manually.
Step 8. Open your favorite internet browser to see the new IP address
Step 9. Enter the keyword What is my IP address in the search bar of the browser
If the IP address shown is different from the previous IP address, you have successfully changed the public IP address.
If your IP address doesn't change, you may need to shut down your router for a longer time. Try turning your router off at night, then turning it back on in the morning
Method 2 of 3: Changing Private IP Address in Windows
Step 1. Open the menu
Start by clicking the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen or pressing the button Win on the keyboard.
If you're using Windows 8, hover over the top-left corner of the screen and click the magnifying glass icon
Step 2. Enter Command Prompt on the Start menu
The search results will appear.
Step 3. Right-click the Command Prompt icon
black box to display the context menu.
Step 4. Click the Run as administrator option at the bottom of the menu
Step 5. Click Yes to confirm the action
A command line window will open.
Step 6. Enter the ipconfig command and press Enter to display the current IP information
Step 7. Check the currently active IP address next to the IPv4 entry
This IP address is valid on the local network.
Step 8. Enter the command ipconfig /release and press Enter to "release" the currently active IP address
Step 9. Enter the command ipconfig /renew and press Enter to get a new IP address
Step 10. Check your new IP address next to the IPv4 entry
If the IP address shown is different, you have successfully changed the private IP address.
You can only do this step if your computer is connected to the network via Ethernet. You cannot change the public IP address with this step
Method 3 of 3: Changing Private IP Address on Mac
Step 1. Click the Apple icon
in the upper-left corner of the screen to open the Apple menu.
Step 2. From the Apple menu, click on the System Preferences option
Step 3. Select the Network option to open the Network window
Step 4. Select the active network connection from the left pane in the Network window
Step 5. Click the Advanced button in the lower left corner of the window
Step 6. Select the TCP/IP tab at the top of the Advanced window
Step 7. Click Renew DHCP Lease next to IP address to renew the device IP address
Step 8. Look at the "IPv4 Address" number
The series of numbers is your new IP address on the Mac.
Step 9. Check your new IP address next to the IPv4 entry
If the IP address shown is different, you have successfully changed the private IP address.
