How Do I Change My IP Address?

You may want to change your IP address for a variety of reasons, such as avoiding a continual onslaught of spam. Regardless of your reason for changing your IP address, it’s an important process to know and understand.

The first and simplest way that may change your IP address is to unplug your cable or your DSL modem for a little longer than five minutes. This frequently results in an IP address change. If, after five minutes, your IP address remains that same, you need to repeat the process.

However, when you repeat the process, you have to unplug it for longer this time. In your second attempt, unplug it overnight. In the morning, observe if your IP address has changed. This does not work for all connections and computers, so do not be alarmed if your IP address has remained the same.

Other Ways to Change an IP Address

If the above method did not work for your computer, there are other ways to change your IP address.

Directly Connected to a Modem

If your computer uses the Windows operating system, and if your computer is connected directly to a modem, you can change your IP address in the following way.

1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Go to the “run” button on the Start menu.
3. Type “cmd” into the “open” box. Click on the OK button.
4. Once this opens, you need to type “ipconfig/release” without the quotes, onto the command line. Then type, “ipconfig/renew” without the quotes, onto the command line.

Your IP address has been changed.

Connected to a Network with a Router

If you have a computer that is connected to a network with a router, the process is a bit different.

1. Log onto your router’s admin console. This is usually http://192.168.1.1/ for the majority of computers. However, if this does not work for your computer, you should contact your network’s help line and request the address for your network’s admin console.
2. Choose the option to release the IP address. This option differs by router manufacturer. However, it is usually fairly easy to find. If you cannot find it, you should again call your network’s help line.
3. Turn off your router, any Ethernet switches, or the cable/DSL modem. Leave these off for the entire night.
4. In the morning, turn the router, or the Ethernet switch, or the modem back on.

Make sure the IP address has changed.

Definition of an IP Address

In laymen’s terms, an IP address is a numerical address that is assigned to your network. Your network means the Internet network that you use. Thus, if you have three computers in your house and all the computers are on the Verizon network, each computer has the same IP address. However, the network administrator (your “main computer” on your network, the computer that was used to install the network) is usually distinguished through an IP address.

The IP address facilitates communication with other computers over the Internet. An IP address operates similarly to how an actual address operates. It provides a location for information to be sent, and a location that information can be sent from.