By default, Windows gets its IP address automatically from your router using DHCP, which means the address can change from time to time. If you're running a home server, forwarding ports to your PC or sharing files with other machines, you want an address that stays put.
Before you start: is a DHCP reservation easier?
There are two ways to give a PC a fixed address:
- A DHCP reservation on your router. The router always gives this PC the same address. Nothing changes on the PC, and it still works normally if you take a laptop somewhere else. This is what I'd recommend for most people.
- A static IP set on the PC itself, which is what this guide covers. It's handy if your router doesn't do reservations, or you just want to learn how it works.
STEP 1Find your current network details
Press Windows + R, type cmd and press Enter. Then run:
ipconfig
Under the adapter you're using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), make a note of:
- IPv4 Address, for example
192.168.1.37 - Subnet Mask, usually
255.255.255.0 - Default Gateway, which is your router, for example
192.168.1.1
STEP 2Choose an address that won't clash
Log into your router and look for the DHCP range (sometimes called the address pool). Choose an address on the same network that's outside that range and not used by anything else.
For example, if your router hands out 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100, something like 192.168.1.150 is a good choice. Ranges vary between routers, so always check yours rather than assuming.
STEP 3Open the network adapter settings
- Press Windows + R, type
ncpa.cpland press Enter. - Right-click the adapter you're using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose Properties.
- Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
STEP 4Enter the static IP settings
Select Use the following IP address and fill it in (adjusted for your own network):
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.150 |
| Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 |
| Default gateway | 192.168.1.1 |
Then select Use the following DNS server addresses:
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| Preferred DNS server | 192.168.1.1 (your router), or your Pi-hole's address if you run one |
| Alternate DNS server | 1.1.1.1 |
Click OK, then OK again in the Properties window.
STEP 5Check it worked
Open Command Prompt again and run:
ipconfig
ping 1.1.1.1
ping bbc.co.uk
The IPv4 Address should match the one you entered, and both pings should get replies. If the first ping works but the second doesn't, your DNS server setting is wrong.
The Windows 11 Settings app route
In Windows 11 you can also do this in Settings > Network & internet. Choose Ethernet, or Wi-Fi and then your network's properties, then click Edit next to IP assignment and change it to Manual. For Wi-Fi, this way only applies to that one network, which is handy on a laptop.
Helpful notes
- Never use an address that another device already has. Two devices with the same IP will both lose their connection on and off.
- A static IP set in
ncpa.cplapplies to every network that adapter joins. On a laptop that leaves the house, use a DHCP reservation or the per-network Settings method instead. - To undo it, go back to the same screen and choose Obtain an IP address automatically.
Wrapping up
A static IP makes sure your PC can always be found at the same address, which is what servers, port forwarding and file sharing need. It's a two-minute job once you know where the settings are.
