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10 Tech How-To

How to Find IP Address in Windows 11

Guide 10-19918 · Updated · Step by step

Finding your IP address in Windows 11 is a quick task that lets you see the network identifier your device uses to communicate on a local network or the internet. You’ll need it for troubleshooting connections, setting up printers, or configuring port forwarding. This guide shows you the built-in methods—no extra software required.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 11 PC or laptop
  • An active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
  • Administrator access (only for some methods, like ipconfig /all—though basic ipconfig works without it)

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Settings app. Press Windows + I on your keyboard, or click the Start button and select the gear icon.
  2. Go to Network & internet. In the left sidebar, click “Network & internet”.
  3. Select your connection type. Click “Wi-Fi” if you’re on wireless, or “Ethernet” if you’re using a cable.
  4. View the IP address. On the connection’s page, look for “IPv4 address” (e.g., 192.168.1.10) and “IPv6 address” (e.g., fe80::1). These are your local IPs.
  5. Alternative: Use Command Prompt. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for “IPv4 Address” under your active adapter.
  6. Alternative: Use PowerShell. Right-click the Start button and select “Windows Terminal” or “PowerShell”. Type Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 and press Enter. The output shows all IPv4 addresses on your PC.
  7. Alternative: Use the taskbar. Click the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon in the system tray (bottom-right). Click “Properties” next to your connected network. Scroll to the bottom to see “IPv4 address”.

Common Mistakes

  • Looking at the wrong adapter. If you have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet enabled, you might see multiple IPs. Make sure you’re checking the one that’s actually connected (the one with an active network).
  • Confusing public and private IP. The IP you see in Settings is your local (private) IP. Your public IP (the one the internet sees) is different—you can find it by searching “what is my IP” in a browser.
  • Using the “Default gateway” as your IP. The default gateway (e.g., 192.168.1.1) is your router’s IP, not your PC’s.
  • Not scrolling down. In Settings, the IP is often below the fold—scroll down on the connection page to see it.

Tips

  • For a quick copy: In Settings, click the copy icon next to the IP address to copy it to your clipboard.
  • For more details: Use ipconfig /all in Command Prompt to see DNS servers, MAC address, and more.
  • If you need your public IP: Open a browser and search “what is my IP” or visit a site like whatismyip.com—but note that this is not the IP you’d use for local networking.
  • Static vs. dynamic: Most home networks assign IPs dynamically via DHCP. If you need a static IP, you’ll have to set it in your router’s settings or via Windows network settings.

Troubleshooting

If you don’t see an IP address: This usually means your PC isn’t getting an IP from the router. Try restarting your router and PC. If you’re on Wi-Fi, forget the network and reconnect. For Ethernet, check the cable and try a different port.

If ipconfig shows a 169.254.x.x address: That’s an Automatic Private IP Address (APIPA)—it means your PC failed to get a DHCP address. Check your router’s DHCP settings, or try restarting your router.

If the IP looks wrong (e.g., 0.0.0.0): This indicates a network issue. Run ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew in Command Prompt as administrator.

If you can’t open Settings: Use the Command Prompt method—it always works. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

If you’re on a corporate network: Your IP might be assigned by the company’s DHCP server. If you can’t see it, contact your IT support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older, more common format (e.g., 192.168.1.1). IPv6 is newer and uses a longer hexadecimal format (e.g., fe80::1). Both are used to identify your device on a network.

Why do I have multiple IP addresses?

You may have one for Wi-Fi and one for Ethernet, or one for IPv4 and one for IPv6. Also, virtual network adapters (like VPNs) can add more.

How do I find my IP address on Windows 11 without using Settings?

Use Command Prompt and type ipconfig. That’s the fastest method.

Is my IP address the same as my router’s IP?

No. Your router has its own IP (the default gateway), and your PC has a different one assigned by the router.

Can I change my IP address?

Yes, you can set a static IP in Windows network settings, or you can release and renew your DHCP lease. Your public IP is controlled by your ISP and can’t be changed locally.

Why does my IP address change?

Most home networks use DHCP, which assigns a new IP when your lease expires or you reconnect. That’s normal.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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