How to change an ip address

Before listing how to change your IP address understand that the IP address of your computer or router could be a static IP address (that would never change) or a dynamic IP address (that could change frequently) assigned by a DHCP server

How to change dynamic IP address

In case of dynamic IP address the procedure to change your IP address is quite simple and can be completed as follows:

How to change IP address for a windows based PC

1. Open the command screen ( start -> run and then type cmd and hit enter)
2. Now type ipconfig /release. This option terminates any active TCP/IP connections on all network adapters and releases those IP addresses in use by any other applications.
3. Once the active IP address is released. You can request a new one by typing ipconfig /renew in the same command window. This option re-establishes TCP/IP connections on all network adapters.

That should do it. You should have a changed IP address now.
Note: You could type “ipconfig” after step 1 to check your current ip address.

How to change IP address for a WiFi router

If your computer is connected via a Wi-Fi router then you need to change IP address in your Wi-Fi router directly to get a new IP address. Here are the steps for a Linksys router. You can apply similar steps for any other WiFi router.

1. After logging into your WiFi router go to “status” menu.
2. Click on “IP Release“.
3. Next click on “IP renew“.

Note: The reason we change IP address from the router is because that is the only visible device to the outside world. Any device connected to your router is in it’s own internal network and hence you do not have to change IP addresses on them.

How to change static IP address

In case you have been allocated a static IP address by yourISP, the mechanism for changing the IP address could be trickier. This is so because the ISP is aware of your device’s MAC address (hardware address of your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter ) which it uses to assign same IP address every time your machine becomes visible on the network. The simplest option for you would be to call your ISP and ask them to change it. If that is not the option then you need to change the MAC address of the adapter.

How to change IP address for a windows based PC

1. Download a MAC address changer. (You can get the Technitium MAC address changer , just Google for it)
2. Now change the MAC address and then again follow the steps to release and renew the IP address for a windows based PC as mentioned above.
You should now have a changed IP address.
Note:  The applications used might have buttons to allow IP release and renewal that could be used directly instead of working with command window. You could directly change the MAC address in your registry

How to change IP address for a WiFi router

If you are using a WiFi router to get on the internet then you would need to change MAC address of the router in order to change IP address assigned to you by the ISP. here is how it can be done to a Linksys router. You can apply similar mechanism to any other router.

1. After logging onto the WiFi router go to “Setup” -> “MAC Address clone“
2. Change a digit from the displayed MAC address.
3. Reboot your router and modem. (Turn off both router and modem and restart after 5 minutes)

The IP address should be changed now. You can check your IP address here.
Note: MAC address clone feature allows router to clone MAC address of your PC. In this case however we are changing the MAC address even after it has been cloned to some random address. This makes DHCP server assign a new IP address to the device.