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Ipconfig

Oct 20, 2025
Medha Cloud
88 min read

Ipconfig Command: The Complete Guide

Introduction

Having network problems on your Windows computer? The ipconfig command can solve most connection issues in seconds. This guide shows you exactly how to use ipconfig with real examples, clear explanations, and practical solutions.

You’ll learn what ipconfig does, how to run every command, and how to fix common network problems. No technical jargon—just straightforward instructions that work.

What You’ll Find Here:

  • Basic and advanced ipconfig commands
  • Step-by-step troubleshooting methods
  • Real command outputs with explanations
  • Solutions for DNS, DHCP, and connection problems
  • Downloadable cheat sheet (at the end)

Let’s start with the basics.

What is Ipconfig?

Ipconfig stands for “Internet Protocol Configuration.” It’s a built-in Windows command that shows your network settings and helps you manage your internet connection.

What Ipconfig Does

This tool displays your computer’s network information:

  • Your IP address (like 192.168.1.105)
  • Your router’s address (default gateway)
  • DNS server addresses
  • Subnet mask
  • Network adapter details
  • MAC address

You can also use ipconfig to:

  • Release and renew your IP address
  • Clear DNS cache
  • Fix connection problems
  • Refresh DHCP settings
  • Register with DNS servers

Who Uses Ipconfig?

Network Administrators use it to diagnose corporate network issues and verify configurations across multiple computers.

IT Professionals rely on ipconfig for quick troubleshooting and remote support tasks.

Home Users can fix their internet connection problems without calling tech support.

Students studying networking need ipconfig to understand TCP/IP concepts and practice troubleshooting.

Remote Workers use it to solve VPN connection issues and verify their network setup.

Operating System Support

Ipconfig works on all Windows versions:

  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8/8.1
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Server (all versions)
  • Windows Vista (older systems)

Note About Other Systems:

  • Mac computers use a different version (covered later)
  • Linux systems use “ifconfig” or “ip” commands
  • This guide focuses on Windows ipconfig

Why Learn Ipconfig?

You save time and money by fixing your own network problems. Most internet connection issues take 2-3 minutes to resolve with ipconfig—no need to restart your computer or call support.

The command gives you instant access to network information that’s buried in multiple Windows settings menus. You can see everything in one place.

System administrators trust ipconfig because it shows accurate, real-time data. The information you see is exactly what your network adapter reports.

Now that you know what ipconfig does, let’s learn how to access it.

How to Access Ipconfig

You need to open Command Prompt or PowerShell to run ipconfig commands. Here are three methods.

Method 1: Using Windows Search

This is the easiest way for beginners.

Step 1: Click the Start button (Windows logo in the bottom-left corner)

Step 2: Type “cmd” in the search box

Step 3: You’ll see “Command Prompt” in the results

Step 4: Click it to open

The black window that appears is Command Prompt. You’re ready to run ipconfig commands.

Method 2: Using Run Dialog

This method is faster once you remember the keyboard shortcut.

Step 1: Press Windows key + R at the same time

Step 2: A small “Run” window opens

Step 3: Type “cmd” (without quotes)

Step 4: Press Enter or click OK

Command Prompt opens immediately.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a newer command-line tool that also runs ipconfig commands.

Step 1: Right-click the Start button

Step 2: Select “Windows PowerShell” or “Terminal” from the menu

Step 3: A blue window opens (PowerShell) or a black window (Command Prompt)

Both windows work the same way for ipconfig commands.

Running as Administrator

Some ipconfig commands need administrator privileges. Here’s how to get them.

Using Search:

  1. Type “cmd” in Start menu
  2. Right-click “Command Prompt”
  3. Select “Run as administrator”
  4. Click “Yes” on the permission prompt

Using PowerShell:

  1. Right-click Start button
  2. Select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin)”
  3. Click “Yes” on the permission prompt

You’ll see “Administrator” in the window title when you have admin rights.

Your First Command

Once Command Prompt is open, type this:

cmd

ipconfig

Press Enter. You’ll see your network information appear in seconds.

Here’s what you’ll see:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

This shows your basic network settings. Your computer’s IP is 192.168.1.105, and your router is at 192.168.1.1.

Now you know how to open Command Prompt and run ipconfig. Let’s look at what the basic command shows you.

Basic Ipconfig Command

The simple ipconfig command (without any additions) shows your computer’s basic network information. This section explains each line you’ll see.

Command Syntax

Type this command:

cmd

ipconfig

That’s it. No slashes, no extra words. Just “ipconfig” and press Enter.

Understanding the Output

Here’s what you’ll see on a typical home computer:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Let’s break down each line.

IPv4 Address: 192.168.1.105

This is your computer’s unique identifier on the network. Think of it like your house address—data packets need this address to find your computer.

Format: Four numbers separated by dots, each number between 0 and 255.

Common Home Networks:

  • 192.168.1.x (x = 1 to 254)
  • 192.168.0.x
  • 10.0.0.x

Your computer is at 192.168.1.105. Other devices on your network might be at 192.168.1.106, 192.168.1.107, and so on.

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

The subnet mask defines which computers are on your local network versus the internet.

What It Means:

  • 255.255.255.0 means computers from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 are on your local network
  • Any other address requires the router to reach

How It Works:

  • Computer A (192.168.1.105) can talk directly to Computer B (192.168.1.110)
  • Computer A needs the router to reach 8.8.8.8 (Google’s DNS)

You don’t usually need to change the subnet mask. Your router sets this automatically.

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

This is your router’s IP address. All internet traffic goes through this gateway.

Why It’s Called “Gateway”: Your router is the gate between your local network and the internet. Any data going to websites must pass through 192.168.1.1.

Common Router IPs:

  • 192.168.1.1 (most common)
  • 192.168.0.1
  • 10.0.0.1
  • 192.168.1.254

You can type this IP in your web browser to access your router’s settings page.

Connection-Specific DNS Suffix

This field is usually empty on home networks. Corporate networks might show something like “company.local” here.

What It Does: If you type just “printer” instead of “printer.company.local,” your computer adds the suffix automatically.

Home Users: You can ignore this line. It’s blank or irrelevant for most people.

Multiple Network Adapters

Your computer might have several network connections. You’ll see a section for each one:

cmd

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Bluetooth Network Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter: Your wired network connection (if you have a cable plugged in)

Wireless LAN adapter: Your Wi-Fi connection

Bluetooth Network Connection: Bluetooth networking (rarely used)

Virtual adapters: VPN connections and virtual machines create additional adapters

Which Adapter Matters?

Look for the adapter that shows an IP address and default gateway. That’s your active internet connection.

In the example above:

  • Ethernet: Disconnected (no cable)
  • Wi-Fi: Connected (has IP 192.168.1.105) ← This is your internet connection
  • Bluetooth: Disconnected

Example Scenarios

Laptop on Wi-Fi:

cmd

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Your laptop connects through Wi-Fi.

Desktop with Cable:

cmd

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.110
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Your desktop connects through Ethernet cable.

VPN Connection:

cmd

PPP adapter ExpressVPN:
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 10.8.0.50
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.8.0.1

Your VPN creates a new adapter with its own IP range.

The basic ipconfig command gives you enough information to verify your connection and identify your network settings. For more details, you need the /all parameter.

All Ipconfig Commands Explained

This section covers every ipconfig command with real examples using consistent IP addresses. Each command includes the exact output you’ll see and what it means.

Our Example Network:

  • Computer Name: DESKTOP-USER01
  • Network: Home Wi-Fi
  • Router IP: 192.168.1.1
  • Computer IP: 192.168.1.105
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  • DNS Servers: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)
  • MAC Address: 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
  • Adapter Name: Wi-Fi

We’ll use these same values in every example so you can follow along easily.

Command 1: ipconfig /all

This command shows complete network configuration details for all adapters.

How to Run It:

cmd

ipconfig /all

Full Output Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : DESKTOP-USER01
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, October 20, 2025 10:30:15 AM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, October 21, 2025 10:30:15 AM
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
                                       8.8.4.4
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

What Each Line Means:

Host Name: DESKTOP-USER01 Your computer’s name on the network. Other computers can find you using this name.

Node Type: Hybrid How your computer resolves names. “Hybrid” means it uses both broadcast and WINS. You can ignore this on home networks.

IP Routing Enabled: No Your computer doesn’t forward traffic between networks. Only routers do this.

Description: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz Your network adapter’s brand and model. Useful for finding drivers or checking hardware.

Physical Address: 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E Your MAC address—the permanent hardware ID of your network card. No two devices have the same MAC address. IT departments use this to identify devices.

DHCP Enabled: Yes Your router assigns your IP address automatically. If this says “No,” you’re using a static (manual) IP.

IPv4 Address: 192.168.1.105(Preferred) Your current IP address. “(Preferred)” means this is the main address (as opposed to temporary addresses).

Lease Obtained: Sunday, October 20, 2025 10:30:15 AM When your router gave you this IP address.

Lease Expires: Monday, October 21, 2025 10:30:15 AM When your IP address expires. Your computer automatically renews this before it expires.

DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1 Which device gave you your IP address. This is usually your router.

DNS Servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 Which servers translate website names (google.com) into IP addresses (142.250.185.46). These are Google’s public DNS servers.

NetBIOS over Tcpip: Enabled Old Windows networking protocol. Rarely used today but still enabled by default.

When to Use ipconfig /all:

Use this command when you need to:

  • Find your MAC address for network registration
  • Check which DNS servers you’re using
  • Verify DHCP is working correctly
  • See your IP lease time
  • Get complete network information for troubleshooting
  • Document your network configuration

Practical Example:

Your IT department asks for your MAC address to register your laptop on the company network.

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr Physical

   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E

You find it quickly: 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E

Command 2: ipconfig /release

This command releases (gives back) your current IP address to the DHCP server.

How to Run It:

cmd

ipconfig /release

Requires: Administrator privileges (run Command Prompt as Admin)

Before Release:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Your computer has IP 192.168.1.105 and can access the internet.

Running Release:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

What Happened:

Your computer sent a message to the router (192.168.1.1) saying “I’m returning IP address 192.168.1.105.” The router marks that IP as available for other devices.

After Release:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Your computer has no IP address (0.0.0.0 means “no address”). You cannot access the internet until you renew.

Release Specific Adapter:

If you have multiple network connections, you can release just one:

cmd

ipconfig /release "Wi-Fi"

Use quotes if the adapter name has spaces.

Warning:

Do NOT run this command if you’re connected to the computer remotely (Remote Desktop, SSH, etc.). You’ll disconnect yourself and won’t be able to reconnect.

When to Use ipconfig /release:

  • Before renewing your IP address (common troubleshooting)
  • Fixing IP address conflicts
  • Preparing to switch networks
  • Resetting your network connection
  • Testing DHCP server response

You almost always follow /release with /renew (covered next).

Command 3: ipconfig /renew

This command requests a new IP address from your DHCP server (usually your router).

How to Run It:

cmd

ipconfig /renew

Requires: Administrator privileges

Before Renew (No IP):

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

No IP address after running /release.

Running Renew:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

What Happened:

  1. Your computer sent a DHCP request to the router (192.168.1.1)
  2. The router received the request
  3. The router assigned IP 192.168.1.105 (might be the same or different)
  4. Your computer configured itself with the new IP
  5. Internet connection restored

The Process Takes 5-10 Seconds

You’ll see the command “thinking” for a few seconds while it contacts the DHCP server. This is normal.

You Got the Same IP

The router often gives you the same IP address you had before (192.168.1.105). This happens because:

  • The router remembers your MAC address
  • Your lease hadn’t expired yet
  • The IP wasn’t assigned to another device

Sometimes You Get a Different IP:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.108
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Your new IP is 192.168.1.108. This happens when:

  • Another device took your old IP
  • The router’s IP pool changed
  • You waited a long time after releasing

Release and Renew Together (Most Common):

You usually run both commands together:

cmd

ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew

The && makes the second command wait until the first finishes.

Complete Output:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

You see both steps: release (0.0.0.0) then renew (192.168.1.105).

Renew Specific Adapter:

cmd

ipconfig /renew "Wi-Fi"

Use quotes for adapter names with spaces.

Troubleshooting /renew Failures:

If renew fails, you’ll see:

cmd

An error occurred while renewing interface Wi-Fi: unable to contact your DHCP server.

Common Causes:

  • Network cable unplugged
  • Wi-Fi turned off
  • Router powered off
  • DHCP server disabled on router
  • Network adapter driver problem

Quick Fixes:

  1. Check physical connection (cable or Wi-Fi)
  2. Restart your router
  3. Wait 2 minutes and try again
  4. Restart your computer

When to Use ipconfig /renew:

  • After releasing your IP
  • Internet suddenly stopped working
  • Moved your laptop to a different network
  • Changed router settings
  • Testing network configuration
  • Fixing “limited connectivity” errors

This is the most common troubleshooting command—fixing 60-70% of connection problems.

Command 4: ipconfig /flushdns

This command clears your computer’s DNS cache (the list of website names and their IP addresses).

How to Run It:

cmd

ipconfig /flushdns

Does NOT require: Administrator privileges (works for regular users)

Understanding DNS Cache

Your computer saves website IP addresses to speed up repeat visits:

  1. First visit to google.com: Computer asks DNS server “What’s google.com’s IP?”
  2. DNS server responds: “142.250.185.46”
  3. Your computer saves this: google.com = 142.250.185.46
  4. Second visit to google.com: Computer uses saved IP (no DNS query needed)

This cache speeds up browsing but can cause problems when outdated.

Example Scenario:

You visited example.com yesterday. Your computer cached:

  • example.com = 93.184.216.34

Today, example.com moved to a new server:

  • example.com = 93.184.216.50 (new IP)

Your computer still has the old IP cached, so the website won’t load.

Before Flush:

Check what’s cached:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns

Windows IP Configuration

    example.com
    ----------------------------------------
    Record Name . . . . . : example.com
    Record Type . . . . . : A
    Time To Live  . . . . : 3456
    Data Length . . . . . : 4
    Section . . . . . . . : Answer
    A (Host) Record . . . : 93.184.216.34

The cache shows the old IP (93.184.216.34).

Running Flush:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

After Flush:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns

Windows IP Configuration

Could not display the DNS Resolver Cache.

The cache is empty. All saved DNS entries are deleted.

Next Visit to example.com:

Your computer must ask the DNS server again:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns

    example.com
    ----------------------------------------
    Record Name . . . . . : example.com
    Record Type . . . . . : A
    Time To Live  . . . . : 299
    Data Length . . . . . : 4
    Section . . . . . . . : Answer
    A (Host) Record . . . : 93.184.216.50

Now it has the new correct IP (93.184.216.50).

Real-World Example:

Problem: YouTube.com won’t load, but other websites work.

Check DNS Cache:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr youtube

    youtube.com
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.80.78

Flush DNS:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Test Website:

Open browser and visit youtube.com. It loads correctly now.

New Cache Entry:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr youtube

    youtube.com
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.46

The new correct IP is cached (142.250.185.46).

When to Use ipconfig /flushdns:

  • Website won’t load but internet works
  • Browser shows “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN” error
  • Website displays old/cached version
  • After changing DNS servers (like switching to Google DNS)
  • Website moved to new hosting
  • Malware modified your DNS cache
  • VPN connection acting strange
  • General DNS troubleshooting

How Often Should You Flush DNS?

Only when you have problems. You don’t need to flush DNS regularly or on a schedule. The cache rebuilds automatically as you browse.

Is It Safe?

Yes, completely safe. The worst that happens is slightly slower browsing for a few minutes while the cache rebuilds.

Does It Delete Browser Cache?

No. This only clears the DNS cache (domain name to IP translations). Your browser’s cache (saved images, cookies, etc.) stays intact.

Combine with Other Commands:

For maximum effect when fixing DNS problems:

cmd

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns

This clears the cache and re-registers your computer with the DNS server.

Command 5: ipconfig /displaydns

This command shows all DNS entries currently cached on your computer.

How to Run It:

cmd

ipconfig /displaydns

Does NOT require: Administrator privileges

Example Output:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns

Windows IP Configuration

    google.com
    ----------------------------------------
    Record Name . . . . . : google.com
    Record Type . . . . . : A
    Time To Live  . . . . : 256
    Data Length . . . . . : 4
    Section . . . . . . . : Answer
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.46


    youtube.com
    ----------------------------------------
    Record Name . . . . . : youtube.com
    Record Type . . . . . : A
    Time To Live  . . . . : 189
    Data Length . . . . . : 4
    Section . . . . . . . : Answer
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.78


    facebook.com
    ----------------------------------------
    Record Name . . . . . : facebook.com
    Record Type . . . . . : A
    Time To Live  . . . . : 45
    Data Length . . . . . : 4
    Section . . . . . . . : Answer
    A (Host) Record . . . : 157.240.2.35


    cloudflare.com
    ----------------------------------------
    Record Name . . . . . : cloudflare.com
    Record Type . . . . . : A
    Time To Live  . . . . : 178
    Data Length . . . . . : 4
    Section . . . . . . . : Answer
    A (Host) Record . . . : 104.16.132.229

Understanding Each Field:

Record Name: google.com The website domain you visited.

Record Type: A “A” means IPv4 address record. Other types include “AAAA” (IPv6) and “CNAME” (alias).

Time To Live: 256 How many seconds until this entry expires. After 256 seconds, your computer deletes this entry and asks DNS again.

A (Host) Record: 142.250.185.46 The actual IP address for google.com.

Why TTL Matters:

Different TTL values show age of cached entries:

  • TTL 300 = Fresh entry (just looked up)
  • TTL 100 = Older entry (looked up 3-4 minutes ago)
  • TTL 5 = About to expire

The Output Can Be Very Long:

Your cache might have hundreds of entries. Scrolling through everything is tedious.

Search for Specific Domain:

Use the findstr command (find string):

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr "google.com"

    google.com
    Record Name . . . . . : google.com
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.46

This shows only lines containing “google.com”.

Save Output to File:

Save the entire cache to a text file:

cmd

ipconfig /displaydns > C:\Users\User\Desktop\dns-cache.txt

The > symbol redirects output to a file instead of the screen. You can now open dns-cache.txt in Notepad.

Check If Domain Is Cached:

See if a specific website is in your cache:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr "example.com"

If nothing appears, that domain isn’t cached.

When to Use ipconfig /displaydns:

  • Verify a website’s IP address
  • Check if a domain is cached
  • See which websites you visited (cache history)
  • Troubleshoot DNS resolution for specific sites
  • Before flushing cache (to see what you’re deleting)
  • Verify DNS lookup worked correctly
  • Document DNS entries for troubleshooting

Example Troubleshooting:

You can’t reach internal-server.company.local:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr "internal-server"

No results? The domain never resolved. Check your DNS server configuration.

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr "internal-server"

    internal-server.company.local
    A (Host) Record . . . : 10.0.5.100

It’s cached with IP 10.0.5.100. Try pinging that IP directly:

cmd

ping 10.0.5.100

If ping works, DNS is fine—the server might be blocking your connection. If ping fails, the server is down.

Command 6: ipconfig /registerdns

This command manually registers your computer’s hostname and IP address with DNS servers.

How to Run It:

cmd

ipconfig /registerdns

Requires: Administrator privileges

What It Does:

Your computer tells DNS servers: “My name is DESKTOP-USER01 and my IP is 192.168.1.105. Please update your records.”

Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /registerdns

Windows IP Configuration

Registration of the DNS resource records for all adapters of this computer has been initiated. Any errors will be reported in the Event Viewer in 15 minutes.
```

**What Gets Registered:**
```
Computer Name: DESKTOP-USER01
IP Address: 192.168.1.105
DNS Server: 8.8.8.8

Registration Sent: DESKTOP-USER01.local → 192.168.1.105

Background Process:

The registration happens in the background. You won’t see immediate confirmation. Check Event Viewer after 15 minutes if you suspect errors.

After Registration:

Other computers on your network can now find you by name:

cmd

C:\OtherComputer> ping DESKTOP-USER01

Pinging DESKTOP-USER01 [192.168.1.105] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.105: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.105: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=64

They don’t need to know your IP—DNS translates the name.

When to Use ipconfig /registerdns:

  • Your computer name isn’t resolving on the network
  • You changed your computer’s hostname
  • Domain-joined computers after network changes
  • Active Directory DNS registration issues
  • After modifying network adapter settings
  • Server hostname not accessible by name
  • Dynamic DNS isn’t updating automatically

Home Networks:

Most home users never need this command. Your router handles name resolution locally without DNS registration.

Corporate Networks:

This command matters more in business environments with Windows Server and Active Directory:

cmd

ipconfig /registerdns

Registers your computer in the company’s DNS server so coworkers can find “John-Laptop” instead of remembering 192.168.10.55.

Complete Network Reset Sequence:

When fixing stubborn network problems, run these commands in order:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /registerdns

This completely resets your network configuration:

  1. Release old IP
  2. Clear DNS cache
  3. Get new IP
  4. Register with DNS

Command 7: ipconfig /release6 and /renew6

These commands manage IPv6 addresses (the newer IP protocol).

Commands:

cmd

ipconfig /release6
ipconfig /renew6

Requires: Administrator privileges

IPv4 vs IPv6:

IPv4 (traditional):

  • Format: 192.168.1.105
  • 4 numbers, each 0-255
  • Running out of addresses
  • Most common today

IPv6 (newer):

  • Format: 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f
  • Hexadecimal, separated by colons
  • Practically unlimited addresses
  • Growing adoption

Many computers use both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously (called “dual-stack”).

Check Current IPs:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
                                       fe80::1

Your computer has both:

  • IPv4: 192.168.1.105
  • IPv6: 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f

Release IPv6 Only:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release6

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : ::
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

What Changed:

  • IPv4 still active (192.168.1.105)
  • IPv6 released (:: means no IPv6 address)
  • Internet still works (using IPv4)

Renew IPv6:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew6

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
                                       fe80::1

IPv6 address restored.

For Specific Adapter:

cmd

ipconfig /release6 "Wi-Fi"
ipconfig /renew6 "Wi-Fi"

Key Points:

  • /release and /renew affect IPv4 only
  • /release6 and /renew6 affect IPv6 only
  • Both protocols run independently
  • You can release IPv6 without affecting IPv4
  • Most home networks don’t use IPv6 yet

When to Use IPv6 Commands:

  • IPv6-specific connectivity problems
  • Testing dual-stack network configuration
  • Corporate networks using IPv6
  • Troubleshooting IPv6 DHCP (DHCPv6)
  • Internet service provider uses IPv6

Most Users:

You rarely need these commands. IPv4 (regular /release and /renew) handles most situations.

Check If You Have IPv6:

cmd

ipconfig | findstr IPv6

If you see an IPv6 address, your network supports it. If not, these commands won’t do anything useful.

Command 8: ipconfig /showclassid

This command displays the DHCP class ID assigned to your network adapter.

Command:

cmd

ipconfig /showclassid <adapter>

Replace <adapter> with your actual adapter name.

Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /showclassid Wi-Fi

Windows IP Configuration

   DHCP Class ID for Adapter "Wi-Fi":
      DHCP ClassId Name  . . . . . . : LAPTOP-CLASS
      DHCP ClassId Description . . . : Corporate laptops

If Not Configured:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /showclassid Wi-Fi

Windows IP Configuration

   DHCP Class ID for Adapter "Wi-Fi":
      DHCP ClassId is not set for this adapter

What Is DHCP Class ID?

It’s a label that tells the DHCP server what type of device you are. The server can then assign different settings based on your class.

Example Scenario:

Your company has three device types:

  • Laptops (class: LAPTOP)
  • Desktops (class: DESKTOP)
  • Servers (class: SERVER)

The DHCP server gives each class different settings:

  • Laptops: IP range 192.168.1.100-150, DNS 8.8.8.8
  • Desktops: IP range 192.168.1.151-200, DNS 8.8.8.8
  • Servers: IP range 192.168.1.10-50, DNS 10.0.0.1

When to Use This Command:

  • Corporate network troubleshooting
  • Verifying device classification
  • Checking network policy assignment
  • IT department requested class ID
  • Testing DHCP server configuration

Home Users:

You’ll never need this. Home routers don’t use DHCP class IDs.

Show All Adapters:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /showclassid *

Windows IP Configuration

   DHCP Class ID for Adapter "Ethernet":
      DHCP ClassId is not set

   DHCP Class ID for Adapter "Wi-Fi":
      DHCP ClassId Name  . . . . . . : LAPTOP-CLASS

The * wildcard shows all adapters.

Command 9: ipconfig /setclassid

This command sets or changes the DHCP class ID for an adapter.

Command:

cmd

ipconfig /setclassid <adapter> [classid]

Requires: Administrator privileges

Set Class ID:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /setclassid Wi-Fi LAPTOP-CLASS

Windows IP Configuration

   DHCP ClassId successfully modified for adapter "Wi-Fi".

After Setting:

You must renew your IP for the change to apply:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.120
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Your IP might change (192.168.1.120) based on your new class assignment.

Remove Class ID:

Run the command without specifying a class ID:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /setclassid Wi-Fi

Windows IP Configuration

   DHCP ClassId successfully modified for adapter "Wi-Fi".

This removes the class ID, returning to default DHCP behavior.

When to Use This Command:

  • Your IT department instructed you to set a specific class
  • Testing network policies
  • Changing device classification
  • Troubleshooting network access issues
  • Moving between different network segments

Most Users:

You’ll probably never use this command. It’s for advanced enterprise network configurations.

Example Corporate Use:

Your company has a “GUEST” class for visitors with restricted internet access:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /setclassid Wi-Fi GUEST
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Now your device follows guest network policies.

Command 10: ipconfig /allcompartments

This command shows network configuration for all network compartments (isolated network environments).

Command:

cmd

ipconfig /allcompartments

What Are Network Compartments?

Compartments are separate, isolated network stacks. Think of them as virtual network environments on one computer.

Common Compartments:

  • Main network stack (your regular connection)
  • Hyper-V virtual machine networks
  • Windows containers
  • Network virtualization

Example Output:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /allcompartments

Windows IP Configuration

Compartment 1 (DEFAULT)
=======================================================================

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1


Compartment 2 (Hyper-V)
=======================================================================

Ethernet adapter vEthernet (Default Switch):

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 172.24.80.1
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.240.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

When to Use This Command:

  • Running Hyper-V or other virtualization
  • Troubleshooting container networking
  • Multiple isolated networks on one computer
  • Advanced network diagnostics
  • Virtual machine connectivity issues

Most Users:

You don’t need this command unless you’re running virtual machines or containers.

Combine with /all:

cmd

ipconfig /allcompartments /all

Shows detailed information for all compartments.

Quick Reference Table

Here’s every ipconfig command at a glance:

Command Purpose Admin Required? Common Use
ipconfig Show basic network info No Quick IP check
ipconfig /all Show detailed network info No Find MAC address, DNS servers
ipconfig /release Release IP address Yes Before renewing IP
ipconfig /renew Get new IP address Yes Fix connection problems
ipconfig /flushdns Clear DNS cache No Fix website loading issues
ipconfig /displaydns View DNS cache No Check cached domains
ipconfig /registerdns Register with DNS Yes Fix name resolution
ipconfig /release6 Release IPv6 address Yes IPv6 troubleshooting
ipconfig /renew6 Renew IPv6 address Yes IPv6 troubleshooting
ipconfig /showclassid Show DHCP class No Enterprise networks
ipconfig /setclassid Set DHCP class Yes Enterprise networks
ipconfig /allcompartments Show all compartments No Virtualization

Most Common Commands (95% of use cases):

  1. ipconfig – Check your IP
  2. ipconfig /all – Get detailed info
  3. ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew – Fix connection
  4. ipconfig /flushdns – Fix DNS problems

You now know every ipconfig command. Next, let’s use them to fix real network problems.

Part 2: Troubleshooting & Advanced Topics

Common Network Problems & Solutions

This section shows you how to fix real network problems using ipconfig commands. Each problem includes symptoms, diagnosis steps, and exact commands to run.

Problem 1: No Internet Connection

Symptoms:

  • Yellow exclamation mark on network icon
  • Browser shows “No internet access”
  • Can’t load any websites
  • Connected to Wi-Fi but no internet

Diagnosis:

Check your IP address first:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 169.254.50.123
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Problem Identified:

Your IP is 169.254.x.x (APIPA address). This means your computer couldn’t reach the DHCP server (your router). The missing Default Gateway confirms no router connection.

What Should Be:

  • IP: 192.168.1.x (normal home network range)
  • Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router)

Solution 1: Release and Renew IP

Run these commands:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Now renew:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Result: IP changed from 169.254.50.123 to 192.168.1.105. Gateway restored. Internet working.

Solution 2: Complete Network Reset

If solution 1 doesn’t work, run a full reset:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /registerdns

What This Does:

  1. Releases bad IP (169.254.50.123)
  2. Clears DNS cache
  3. Gets new IP from router (192.168.1.105)
  4. Registers computer name with DNS

After Running:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Test your connection:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping google.com

Pinging google.com [142.250.185.46] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 142.250.185.46: bytes=32 time=15ms TTL=117
Reply from 142.250.185.46: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=117

Internet restored.

Still Not Working?

Check physical connections:

  • Wi-Fi enabled?
  • Correct Wi-Fi network selected?
  • Router powered on?
  • Ethernet cable plugged in (for wired connections)?

Restart your router:

  1. Unplug router power cable
  2. Wait 30 seconds
  3. Plug back in
  4. Wait 2 minutes for router to fully start
  5. Run ipconfig /renew again

Success Rate: This fixes 60-70% of connection problems.

Problem 2: DNS Error – Website Won’t Load

Symptoms:

  • Browser error: “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN”
  • Error: “This site can’t be reached”
  • Error: “Server DNS address could not be found”
  • Specific website won’t load but others work fine

Example:

YouTube.com won’t load, but Google.com works fine.

Diagnosis:

Check if it’s a DNS problem:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping youtube.com

Ping request could not find host youtube.com. Please check the name and try again.

DNS can’t find youtube.com.

Try pinging the IP directly:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping 142.250.185.78

Pinging 142.250.185.78 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 142.250.185.78: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=117

The IP works, so YouTube’s server is fine. The problem is DNS.

Check DNS Cache:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr youtube

    youtube.com
    ----------------------------------------
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.80.50

Your computer cached an old/wrong IP (142.250.80.50) for YouTube.

Solution: Flush DNS Cache

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Test Again:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping youtube.com

Pinging youtube.com [142.250.185.78] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 142.250.185.78: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=117
Reply from 142.250.185.78: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=117

Works now. DNS looked up the current correct IP (142.250.185.78).

Check New Cache Entry:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns | findstr youtube

    youtube.com
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.78

New correct IP cached.

Alternative Solution: Change DNS Servers

If flushing doesn’t help, your DNS server might be the problem.

Check current DNS servers:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

You’re using your router’s DNS (192.168.1.1). Switch to Google DNS:

Windows 10/11:

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet
  2. Click your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
  3. Click “Edit” next to DNS server assignment
  4. Select Manual
  5. Turn on IPv4
  6. Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
  7. Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
  8. Click Save

Verify Change:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
                                       8.8.4.4

Flush DNS Again:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew
```

**Other Reliable DNS Servers:**

**Cloudflare DNS:**
- Primary: 1.1.1.1
- Secondary: 1.0.0.1

**OpenDNS:**
- Primary: 208.67.222.222
- Secondary: 208.67.220.220

---

### Problem 3: IP Address Conflict

**Error Message:**

A Windows notification appears:
```
"Windows has detected an IP address conflict. 
Another computer on this network has the same IP address."

What Happened:

Two devices on your network have the same IP address (192.168.1.105). This breaks networking for both devices.

Common Causes:

  • Someone manually set a static IP that’s already in use
  • Router DHCP assigned duplicate IPs (rare but happens)
  • Device came back online after long absence

Check Your IP:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Your IP is 192.168.1.105. Another device (maybe a printer) also has this IP.

Solution: Get a New IP

Release your current IP:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Wait 10 seconds (gives the other device time to claim 192.168.1.105).

Request a new IP:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.108
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Result:

  • Old IP: 192.168.1.105 (conflict)
  • New IP: 192.168.1.108 (no conflict)
  • Error gone, internet working

If Error Persists:

The other device might have a static IP set to 192.168.1.108. Find which device has the duplicate IP:

cmd

C:\Users\User> arp -a

Interface: 192.168.1.108 --- 0x9
  Internet Address      Physical Address      Type
  192.168.1.1          00-11-22-33-44-55     dynamic
  192.168.1.105        aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff     dynamic

The device at 192.168.1.105 has MAC address aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff. Check your router’s DHCP client list to identify this device, then:

  • Change its static IP if it’s manually configured
  • Restart that device to get a new IP
  • Reserve IPs in your router to prevent duplicates

Problem 4: Can’t Access Specific Internal Server

Scenario:

You’re at work. You can access internet but can’t reach the internal file server at fileserver.company.local.

Error: “Windows cannot access \\fileserver.company.local”

Diagnosis:

Test DNS resolution:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping fileserver.company.local

Ping request could not find host fileserver.company.local. Please check the name and try again.

DNS can’t resolve the server name.

Check DNS Servers:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
                                       8.8.4.4

You’re using Google DNS (8.8.8.8). Google doesn’t know about your company’s internal servers. You need to use your company’s DNS server.

Find Company DNS Server:

Ask your IT department or check a working colleague’s computer:

cmd

C:\WorkingComputer> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.1
                                       10.0.1.1

Company DNS servers are 10.0.0.1 and 10.0.1.1.

Change DNS Settings:

Switch from Google DNS (8.8.8.8) to company DNS (10.0.0.1) in Windows network settings.

Refresh Network:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /registerdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Test Again:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping fileserver.company.local

Pinging fileserver.company.local [10.0.5.100] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 10.0.5.100: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.5.100: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64

Works now. Company DNS resolved fileserver.company.local to 10.0.5.100.

Problem 5: Slow Internet Speed (DNS Related)

Symptoms:

  • Websites take 5-10 seconds to start loading
  • After initial delay, pages load quickly
  • Videos buffer at start but play smoothly after

Likely Cause: Slow DNS resolution

Test DNS Speed:

cmd

C:\Users\User> nslookup google.com
Server:  router.home
Address:  192.168.1.1

[8 second delay]

Name:    google.com
Address:  142.250.185.46

8 second delay means your DNS server (router at 192.168.1.1) is slow.

Solution 1: Flush DNS Cache

Sometimes corrupted cache entries slow things down:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Test again with nslookup. If still slow, proceed to solution 2.

Solution 2: Switch DNS Servers

Change from router DNS to faster public DNS.

Check Current DNS:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Change to Cloudflare DNS (fastest):

Go to Windows network settings and set:

  • Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
  • Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1

Or Google DNS:

  • Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4

Flush and Renew:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Verify Change:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 1.1.1.1
                                       1.0.0.1

Test Speed:

cmd

C:\Users\User> nslookup google.com
Server:  one.one.one.one
Address:  1.1.1.1

[instant response]

Name:    google.com
Address:  142.250.185.46

Much faster.

Problem 6: VPN Connection Issues

Symptoms:

  • Can’t connect to VPN
  • VPN connects but no internet
  • VPN disconnects frequently

Diagnosis After VPN Connection:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

PPP adapter ExpressVPN:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 10.8.0.50
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.8.0.1

You have two network adapters active:

  • Wi-Fi: Local connection (192.168.1.105)
  • VPN: Tunnel connection (10.8.0.50)

Problem: Conflicting routes or DNS

Solution: Reset Network Stack

Disconnect VPN, then:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Reconnect VPN.

Check DNS After VPN Connection:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.8.0.1

VPN should change your DNS to its server (10.8.0.1). If you still see 192.168.1.1 or 8.8.8.8, the VPN isn’t routing properly.

Fix VPN DNS:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /registerdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Restart VPN connection.

Problem 7: Limited Connectivity

Yellow Exclamation Mark: “Limited connectivity” or “No network access”

Check IP Address:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Problem: No default gateway. Your computer has an IP but doesn’t know how to reach the internet.

Solution:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Gateway restored (192.168.1.1). Internet working.

Problem 8: Network Settings Corrupted

Symptoms:

  • Nothing works
  • Can’t connect to any network
  • Strange network behavior after Windows update
  • Network adapter shows errors

Nuclear Option: Complete Reset

Run all these commands in order:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew
C:\Users\User> ipconfig /registerdns
C:\Users\User> netsh int ip reset
C:\Users\User> netsh winsock reset

What Each Does:

  1. Release IP: Gives back current IP
  2. Flush DNS: Clears DNS cache
  3. Renew IP: Gets fresh IP from router
  4. Register DNS: Updates DNS records
  5. Reset TCP/IP: Resets IP stack to defaults
  6. Reset Winsock: Resets Windows socket layer

Restart Your Computer:

After running all commands, restart. This applies all changes.

After Restart:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Network reset to clean state.

Troubleshooting Flowchart

Step 1: Check IP Address

cmd

ipconfig

If IP is 169.254.x.x:

  • Run: ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew
  • Check: Physical connection (cable/Wi-Fi)
  • Restart: Router

If IP is 0.0.0.0:

  • Run: ipconfig /renew
  • Check: DHCP enabled on router
  • Restart: Network adapter

If IP is normal (192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x):

  • Proceed to Step 2

Step 2: Test Router Connection

cmd

ping 192.168.1.1

(Use your actual gateway IP)

If ping fails:

  • Check: Physical connection
  • Restart: Router
  • Restart: Computer

If ping works:

  • Proceed to Step 3

Step 3: Test Internet

cmd

ping 8.8.8.8

If ping fails:

  • Problem: Router or ISP
  • Contact: Internet provider
  • Check: Router internet light

If ping works:

  • Proceed to Step 4

Step 4: Test DNS

cmd

ping google.com

If name doesn’t resolve:

  • Run: ipconfig /flushdns
  • Run: ipconfig /renew
  • Check: DNS servers
  • Try: Changing to 8.8.8.8

If everything works:

  • Problem might be: Specific website
  • Problem might be: Firewall
  • Problem might be: Browser

Ipconfig vs Other Commands

This section explains how ipconfig compares to similar commands and tools.

Ipconfig vs Ifconfig

Platform Difference:

Ipconfig:

  • Operating System: Windows
  • Full Name: Internet Protocol Configuration
  • Primary Use: View IP settings, manage DHCP

Ifconfig:

  • Operating System: Linux, Mac, Unix
  • Full Name: Interface Configuration
  • Primary Use: Configure network interfaces, assign IPs

Command Comparison:

Show network info:

Windows:

cmd

ipconfig

Linux:

bash

ifconfig

Show detailed info:

Windows:

cmd

ipconfig /all

Linux:

bash

ifconfig -a

Functionality Differences:

Ipconfig can:

  • Display network configuration
  • Release DHCP IP addresses
  • Renew DHCP IP addresses
  • Flush DNS cache
  • Register DNS records
  • Display DNS cache

Ifconfig can:

  • Display network configuration
  • Assign static IP addresses directly
  • Enable/disable network interfaces
  • Change MAC addresses
  • Configure network parameters
  • Set MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)

Example: Assign Static IP

Windows (can’t use ipconfig): Must use GUI or netsh:

cmd

netsh interface ip set address "Wi-Fi" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

Linux (can use ifconfig):

bash

sudo ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0

Mac OS X:

Mac has BOTH commands but they work differently:

ipconfig (Mac):

bash

ipconfig getifaddr en0

Controls DHCP and Bootstrap Protocol only.

ifconfig (Mac):

bash

ifconfig en0

Full interface control like Linux.

Modern Linux:

The ifconfig command is being replaced by ip:

bash

ip addr show
ip link set eth0 up
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0

Key Takeaway:

  • Windows users: Use ipconfig (you have no choice)
  • Linux/Mac users: Use ifconfig or the newer ip command
  • Ipconfig: Simpler, DHCP-focused
  • Ifconfig: More powerful, direct interface control

Ipconfig vs Netsh

Netsh (Network Shell) is a more powerful Windows command-line tool.

What Netsh Can Do That Ipconfig Cannot:

  1. Set static IP addresses
  2. Configure firewall rules
  3. Manage wireless networks
  4. Configure routing
  5. Export/import network settings
  6. Advanced network diagnostics

Command Comparison:

View IP settings:

cmd

ipconfig

vs

cmd

netsh interface ip show config

Both show similar info, but netsh provides more detail.

Release/Renew IP:

cmd

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

vs

cmd

netsh interface ip delete arpcache

Ipconfig is simpler for DHCP tasks.

Set Static IP:

Ipconfig: Cannot do this

Netsh:

cmd

netsh interface ip set address "Wi-Fi" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

Set DNS Servers:

Ipconfig: Cannot do this

Netsh:

cmd

netsh interface ip set dns "Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8
netsh interface ip add dns "Wi-Fi" 8.8.4.4 index=2

Show Wireless Networks:

Ipconfig: Cannot do this

Netsh:

cmd

netsh wlan show networks

When to Use Each:

Use Ipconfig for:

  • Quick IP address checks
  • DHCP troubleshooting (release/renew)
  • DNS cache management (flush/display)
  • Simple diagnostics

Use Netsh for:

  • Static IP configuration
  • Advanced network settings
  • Firewall management
  • Wireless network management
  • Exporting network configurations
  • Complex troubleshooting

Example: Complete Network Reconfiguration

With Ipconfig (limited):

cmd

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

With Netsh (complete control):

cmd

netsh interface ip set address "Wi-Fi" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1
netsh interface ip set dns "Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8
netsh interface ip add dns "Wi-Fi" 8.8.4.4 index=2
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

Ipconfig vs GUI Network Settings

Graphical Interface vs Command Line

What GUI Can Do:

Windows Settings > Network & Internet:

  • View network status
  • Connect to Wi-Fi networks
  • Change DNS servers
  • Set static IP addresses
  • Manage VPN connections
  • Configure proxy settings

What Ipconfig Can Do:

Command Prompt:

  • View IP configuration
  • Release/renew DHCP
  • Flush DNS cache
  • Display DNS cache
  • Register DNS records

Advantages of Ipconfig:

Speed: Type ipconfig and press Enter (2 seconds) vs Start > Settings > Network > Status > Properties (30+ seconds)

Precision: See exact IP addresses, no rounding or summarizing

Scriptable: Can create batch files to automate tasks

Remote Management: Works over Remote Desktop and SSH

Copy/Paste: Easy to copy output for troubleshooting tickets

Troubleshooting Power: Commands like /flushdns not available in GUI

Advantages of GUI:

Beginner-Friendly: No typing required, click through menus

Visual: Icons and colors show connection status

Configuration: Easy to change DNS servers, set static IPs

Wi-Fi Management: See available networks, connect with mouse clicks

Comprehensive: Access to all network settings in one place

What GUI Cannot Do:

  • Release/renew IP quickly
  • Flush DNS cache
  • Display DNS cache contents
  • Show detailed DHCP lease information
  • Register DNS records manually
  • View network compartments

Best Practice:

Use both:

  • GUI for configuration (setting static IPs, changing DNS)
  • Ipconfig for troubleshooting (checking status, flushing DNS)

Related Network Commands

Ipconfig is part of a larger toolkit. Here are related commands:

1. Ping – Test Connectivity

cmd

ping google.com

Tests if you can reach a host.

Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping 192.168.1.1

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64

Router is reachable.

2. Tracert – Trace Route

cmd

tracert google.com

Shows the path packets take to reach destination.

Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> tracert google.com

Tracing route to google.com [142.250.185.46]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  192.168.1.1
  2     8 ms     7 ms     8 ms  10.0.0.1
  3    15 ms    14 ms    15 ms  142.250.185.46

Trace complete.

3. Nslookup – DNS Lookup

cmd

nslookup google.com

Queries DNS servers directly.

Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> nslookup google.com

Server:  1.1.1.1
Address:  1.1.1.1

Name:    google.com
Address:  142.250.185.46

4. Netstat – Network Statistics

cmd

netstat -an

Shows active network connections.

Example:

cmd

C:\Users\User> netstat -an

Active Connections

  Proto  Local Address          Foreign Address        State
  TCP    192.168.1.105:49234   142.250.185.46:443     ESTABLISHED
  TCP    192.168.1.105:49235   157.240.2.35:443       ESTABLISHED

5. Pathping – Combined Ping and Tracert

cmd

pathping google.com

Tests connection quality to each hop.

Complete Diagnostic Sequence:

Run these commands in order to diagnose network problems:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all

Check your configuration.

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping 127.0.0.1

Test local TCP/IP stack.

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping 192.168.1.1

Test router connection.

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping 8.8.8.8

Test internet connectivity.

cmd

C:\Users\User> nslookup google.com

Test DNS resolution.

cmd

C:\Users\User> tracert google.com

Find where connection fails.

This sequence identifies exactly where your network problem occurs.

Understanding Network Terms

This section explains the technical terms you see in ipconfig output.

IP Address

Your computer’s unique identifier on the network.

IPv4 Format:

  • Four numbers: 192.168.1.105
  • Each number: 0 to 255
  • Separated by dots

IPv6 Format:

  • Eight groups: 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f
  • Hexadecimal (0-9, a-f)
  • Separated by colons
  • :: means zeros

Private vs Public IPs:

Private (local network only):

  • 192.168.x.x (most home networks)
  • 10.x.x.x (large networks)
  • 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x (medium networks)

Public (internet):

  • Everything else
  • Routable on internet
  • Assigned by ISP

Your computer has:

  • Private IP: 192.168.1.105 (inside your home)
  • Public IP: Your router’s internet-facing IP

Static vs Dynamic:

Dynamic (DHCP):

  • Router assigns automatically
  • Can change each time
  • Most home/office computers
  • Example: 192.168.1.105 today, 192.168.1.110 tomorrow

Static (manual):

  • Manually configured
  • Never changes
  • Servers and printers
  • Example: Always 192.168.1.50

Subnet Mask

Defines which part of IP is network vs host.

Common Subnet Masks:

255.255.255.0:

  • Network: 192.168.1.x
  • Hosts: 1-254 (254 devices possible)
  • Most home networks

255.255.0.0:

  • Network: 192.168.x.x
  • Hosts: 1-65534 (large networks)

255.255.255.128:

  • Splits network in half
  • Hosts: 1-126

What It Does:

Your IP: 192.168.1.105 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Network portion: 192.168.1 (first three numbers) Host portion: 105 (last number)

Devices on your network:

  • 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 (local)
  • Anything else requires router (remote)

Default Gateway

Your router’s IP address. The “gate” to the internet.

Example:

  • Your IP: 192.168.1.105
  • Gateway: 192.168.1.1

All internet traffic goes: You (192.168.1.105) → Router (192.168.1.1) → Internet

Common Gateway IPs:

  • 192.168.1.1 (most common)
  • 192.168.0.1
  • 10.0.0.1
  • 192.168.1.254

Test Your Gateway:

cmd

ping 192.168.1.1
```

If this fails, you can't reach the internet.

---

### DNS Server

Translates domain names to IP addresses.

**Example:**
You type: google.com
DNS translates: 142.250.185.46
Browser connects: To that IP

**Your Computer → DNS Server:**
```
Computer: "What's google.com's IP?"
DNS: "142.250.185.46"
Computer: Connects to 142.250.185.46
```

**Common DNS Servers:**

**Google DNS:**
- 8.8.8.8
- 8.8.4.4

**Cloudflare DNS:**
- 1.1.1.1
- 1.0.0.1

**OpenDNS:**
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220

**Your Router:**
- Usually 192.168.1.1
- Forwards to ISP DNS

---

### DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - Automatically assigns IP addresses.

**How It Works:**

1. Your computer: "I need an IP address"
2. DHCP server (router): "Here's 192.168.1.105"
3. Your computer: "Thanks!" (uses that IP)

**DHCP Lease:**

IPs aren't permanent. You "lease" them for a time period.

**Lease Information:**
```
Lease Obtained: Sunday, October 20, 2025 10:30:15 AM
Lease Expires: Monday, October 21, 2025 10:30:15 AM

You have this IP for 24 hours. Before expiration, your computer automatically renews.

DHCP Server:

Usually your router (192.168.1.1). It manages:

  • IP address pool (192.168.1.100-200)
  • Lease times (24 hours typical)
  • DNS server assignments
  • Gateway configuration

DHCP vs Static:

DHCP Enabled: Yes

  • Automatic configuration
  • IP can change
  • Easy setup

DHCP Enabled: No

  • Manual configuration required
  • IP stays same
  • More work but predictable

MAC Address

Media Access Control address – Your network card’s permanent ID.

Format:

  • Six pairs: 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
  • Or: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
  • Hexadecimal

What It Identifies:

MAC address is burned into network hardware. Think of it like a serial number.

  • IP Address: Can change (like street address when you move)
  • MAC Address: Never changes (like fingerprints)

First Three Pairs:

00-1A-2B identifies the manufacturer.

Uses:

Network filtering: Router can allow/block by MAC address

Device identification: IT departments track devices by MAC

DHCP reservations: Router can always give same IP to same MAC

Find Your MAC Address:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /all | findstr Physical

   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E

Complete Troubleshooting Example

Let’s walk through a real troubleshooting session from start to finish.

Scenario:

You wake up Monday morning. Your laptop won’t connect to the internet. You were online fine yesterday. Nothing changed overnight.

Step 1: Check IP Configuration

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Problem Found: Wi-Fi is disconnected (not just a bad IP).

Fix: Connect to Wi-Fi network using Windows settings. Select your network, enter password.

Step 2: Recheck IP

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 169.254.82.117
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

New Problem: Connected to Wi-Fi but got APIPA address (169.254.x.x). No gateway.

Step 3: Release and Renew

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /release

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

Problem: Can’t reach DHCP server (router).

Step 4: Check Physical Layer

Walk to router. All lights off except power. Router hung/crashed.

Fix: Unplug router power, wait 30 seconds, plug back in. Wait 2 minutes for boot.

Step 5: Try Renew Again

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /renew

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Success: Got proper IP (192.168.1.105) and gateway (192.168.1.1).

Step 6: Test Connection

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping 192.168.1.1

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64

Router reachable.

cmd

C:\Users\User> ping google.com

Pinging google.com [142.250.185.46] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 142.250.185.46: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=117
Reply from 142.250.185.46: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=117

Internet working.

Step 7: Flush DNS (Preventive)

Old DNS entries might cause issues:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Problem Solved: Internet fully functional.

Root Cause: Router crashed overnight. Restart fixed it.

Commands Used:

  1. ipconfig – Diagnosed problem
  2. ipconfig /release – Cleared bad IP
  3. ipconfig /renew – Got new IP after router restart
  4. ping – Verified connection
  5. ipconfig /flushdns – Cleared old DNS entries

Time Taken: 10 minutes (including 2-minute router boot)

FAQ, Advanced Tips & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section answers the most common questions about ipconfig.

Basic Questions

Q1: What does ipconfig stand for?

Ipconfig stands for “Internet Protocol Configuration.” It’s a Windows command that displays and manages your computer’s network settings.

Q2: How do I open ipconfig?

Press Windows + R, type “cmd”, press Enter. In the black window, type “ipconfig” and press Enter.

Or: Click Start, type “cmd”, click Command Prompt, type “ipconfig”, press Enter.

Q3: Do I need administrator rights to use ipconfig?

No administrator needed:

  • ipconfig
  • ipconfig /all
  • ipconfig /displaydns
  • ipconfig /flushdns

Administrator required:

  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • ipconfig /registerdns
  • ipconfig /setclassid

To run as administrator: Right-click Command Prompt, select “Run as administrator.”

Q4: Is ipconfig safe to use?

Yes, completely safe. Ipconfig only reads or refreshes your network settings. It cannot damage your computer or network.

The worst that can happen:

  • /release temporarily disconnects you (fixed with /renew)
  • /flushdns clears DNS cache (rebuilds automatically)

Both are harmless and reversible.

Q5: What’s my IP address?

Run this command:

cmd

ipconfig

Look for “IPv4 Address” – that’s your IP (example: 192.168.1.105).

Quick method for just the IP:

cmd

ipconfig | findstr IPv4

Shows only:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105

Q6: How do I find my MAC address?

Run:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr Physical

Output:

   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E

That’s your MAC address (00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E).

Q7: What’s the difference between ipconfig and ipconfig /all?

ipconfig shows basic info:

  • IP address
  • Subnet mask
  • Default gateway

ipconfig /all shows everything:

  • Everything above, plus:
  • MAC address
  • DHCP server
  • DNS servers
  • Lease times
  • Host name
  • Network adapter details

Use /all when you need complete information.

Q8: Can ipconfig fix my internet?

Yes, often. The command ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew fixes 60-70% of connection problems.

It works for:

  • “No internet access” errors
  • IP address conflicts
  • DHCP problems
  • Stale network configurations

It doesn’t fix:

  • Hardware problems (broken cable, dead router)
  • Wi-Fi password issues
  • ISP outages

Q9: How often should I run ipconfig commands?

Only when you have problems. You don’t need to run ipconfig regularly or on a schedule.

Run it when:

  • Internet stops working
  • Websites won’t load
  • Network troubleshooting
  • Checking your IP address

Q10: Does ipconfig work on Mac or Linux?

No. Ipconfig is Windows-only.

Mac users: Use ipconfig (different function) or ifconfig Linux users: Use ifconfig or ip addr

The concepts are similar but commands differ.

Troubleshooting Questions

Q11: Why does ipconfig show 169.254.x.x?

This is an APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) address. Your computer assigned itself this IP because it couldn’t reach the DHCP server (router).

Causes:

  • Router powered off
  • Network cable unplugged
  • Wi-Fi not connected
  • DHCP disabled on router
  • Router malfunction

Fix:

cmd

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

If still showing 169.254.x.x:

  • Check physical connection
  • Restart router
  • Verify DHCP enabled on router

Q12: What does “Unable to contact DHCP server” mean?

Your computer can’t communicate with the device that assigns IP addresses (usually your router).

Common causes:

  • Router powered off or restarting
  • Network cable unplugged
  • Wrong Wi-Fi network
  • Router DHCP service crashed
  • Network adapter disabled

Fixes:

  1. Check router is powered on
  2. Verify cable connection or Wi-Fi
  3. Restart router
  4. Wait 2 minutes, run ipconfig /renew

Q13: Why does ipconfig /renew take so long?

Normal wait time: 5-10 seconds

If longer than 30 seconds:

  • DHCP server not responding
  • Network connection problems
  • Router overloaded

If it times out:

cmd

Unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

Your computer can’t reach the router. Check physical connections and restart router.

Q14: Can I use ipconfig to get a specific IP address?

No. Ipconfig can’t request a specific IP from DHCP. The router assigns whatever IP it chooses.

To get a specific IP:

Option 1: Set a static IP using Windows network settings or netsh command.

Option 2: Configure DHCP reservation in your router (ties your MAC address to a specific IP).

Q15: What does “Default gateway is not available” mean?

Your computer has an IP but doesn’t know how to reach the internet (missing gateway/router address).

Check configuration:

cmd

ipconfig

If “Default Gateway” is blank:

cmd

   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Fix:

cmd

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Should restore gateway:

cmd

   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Q16: Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router uses DHCP with dynamic IP assignment. Each time you:

  • Restart computer
  • Release and renew IP
  • Reconnect to network
  • DHCP lease expires

The router might assign a different IP from its pool.

To prevent this:

Option 1: Configure static IP in Windows Option 2: Set DHCP reservation in router settings (recommended)

DHCP reservation gives you the same IP every time while keeping DHCP benefits.

Q17: What if ipconfig shows no network adapters?

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

No adapters listed means:

  • All adapters disabled
  • Network drivers missing
  • Hardware problem

Fixes:

  1. Check Device Manager for network adapters
  2. Enable disabled adapters
  3. Update/reinstall network drivers
  4. Check hardware connections

Q18: Can ipconfig tell me my router’s password?

No. Ipconfig shows your router’s IP address (192.168.1.1) but not passwords.

To access router settings:

  1. Open browser
  2. Type router IP: http://192.168.1.1
  3. Enter router admin credentials (check router label or manual)

DNS Questions

Q19: What does ipconfig /flushdns do?

Clears your computer’s DNS cache (saved website-to-IP translations).

Example:

Your cache says: facebook.com = 157.240.2.35

After flushing, the cache is empty. Next visit to facebook.com requires fresh DNS lookup.

When to use:

  • Website won’t load
  • DNS errors
  • Website shows old content
  • After changing DNS servers

Safe to run anytime. Cache rebuilds automatically as you browse.

Q20: How do I know if I need to flush DNS?

Run ipconfig /flushdns if you see:

  • DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error
  • “This site can’t be reached”
  • Specific website won’t load (others work)
  • Website loads old/cached version
  • After malware removal

Quick test:

Can you ping by IP but not by name?

cmd

ping 8.8.8.8

Works ✓

cmd

ping google.com

Fails ✗

This indicates DNS problems. Flush DNS cache.

Q21: What’s the difference between /flushdns and /displaydns?

ipconfig /displaydns: Shows what’s in your DNS cache (doesn’t change anything)

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /displaydns

    google.com
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.46
    
    youtube.com
    A (Host) Record . . . : 142.250.185.78

ipconfig /flushdns: Deletes everything in your DNS cache

cmd

C:\Users\User> ipconfig /flushdns

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Use /displaydns to see what’s cached before you flush it.

Q22: Does flushing DNS clear my browser history?

No. They’re completely separate:

DNS cache: Domain name to IP translations (managed by Windows) Browser cache: Saved images, cookies, browsing history (managed by browser)

Flushing DNS doesn’t affect:

  • Browser history
  • Saved passwords
  • Cookies
  • Downloaded files
  • Browser bookmarks

To clear browser cache: Use browser settings (Ctrl+Shift+Delete).

Q23: Which DNS servers should I use?

Google DNS (reliable, fast):

  • Primary: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary: 8.8.4.4

Cloudflare DNS (fastest):

  • Primary: 1.1.1.1
  • Secondary: 1.0.0.1

OpenDNS (family filtering available):

  • Primary: 208.67.222.222
  • Secondary: 208.67.220.220

Your Router:

  • Usually: 192.168.1.1
  • Pro: Simple setup
  • Con: Often slower than public DNS

Change DNS in Windows:

  1. Settings > Network & Internet
  2. Click your connection
  3. DNS server assignment > Edit
  4. Enter new DNS servers
  5. Save

Then run:

cmd

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew

Q24: How do I check which DNS servers I’m using?

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

Output:

cmd

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
                                       8.8.4.4

You’re using Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

Advanced Questions

Q25: What’s the difference between /release and /renew?

ipconfig /release:

  • Gives back your current IP to the router
  • Your IP becomes 0.0.0.0
  • Disconnects from network
  • Tells router “I don’t need this IP anymore”

ipconfig /renew:

  • Requests new IP from router
  • Establishes network connection
  • Tells router “Give me an IP address”

Always use them together:

cmd

ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew

Think of it like:

  • Release: Return your hotel room key
  • Renew: Get a new room assignment

Q26: Can I release and renew just one adapter?

Yes. Specify adapter name:

cmd

ipconfig /release "Wi-Fi"
ipconfig /renew "Wi-Fi"

Use quotes if adapter name has spaces.

Find adapter names:

cmd

ipconfig

Look for adapter labels like:

  • “Ethernet adapter Ethernet”
  • “Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi”
  • “Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection”

Use the part after “adapter” in your commands.

Q27: What does ipconfig /registerdns do?

Manually updates your computer’s name and IP in the DNS server.

Normal process (automatic): Your computer tells DNS: “I’m DESKTOP-USER01 at 192.168.1.105”

ipconfig /registerdns: Forces immediate DNS registration instead of waiting.

When to use:

  • Computer name not resolving on network
  • Changed hostname
  • DNS registration failed
  • Corporate networks with Active Directory
  • After network configuration changes

Home users: Rarely need this. Your router handles local name resolution.

Q28: What’s IPv6 and do I need it?

IPv6 is the newer internet protocol.

IPv4 (current standard):

  • Format: 192.168.1.105
  • 4.3 billion possible addresses
  • Running out of addresses

IPv6 (future standard):

  • Format: 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f
  • 340 undecillion addresses (basically unlimited)
  • Slowly replacing IPv4

Do you need it?

Most home users: No, not yet

  • Your ISP might not support it
  • Most websites work fine with IPv4
  • Your computer uses both automatically

Check if you have IPv6:

cmd

ipconfig | findstr IPv6

If you see an IPv6 address, it’s active. If not, you’re IPv4-only (perfectly fine).

Q29: Should I disable IPv6?

No. Keep IPv6 enabled even if you don’t use it.

Why:

  • Windows designed for dual-stack (IPv4 + IPv6)
  • Disabling can cause problems
  • No performance benefit
  • Future-proofing

Only disable if:

  • Specific software conflicts require it
  • IT department instructs you to
  • Troubleshooting specific IPv6 issues

Q30: Can ipconfig change my MAC address?

No. Ipconfig only displays your MAC address (Physical Address), it cannot change it.

To view MAC address:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr Physical

To change MAC address:

  • Use Device Manager (network adapter properties)
  • Use third-party MAC address changer software
  • Some network adapters don’t allow MAC changes

Note: Changing MAC address (MAC spoofing) might violate network policies.

Error Messages

Q31: “Windows IP Configuration – There are no fixed IP addresses to save”

You tried to release an IP but none are assigned (already 0.0.0.0).

Not actually a problem. Run:

cmd

ipconfig /renew

To get a new IP.

Q32: “An error occurred while renewing interface Wi-Fi: unable to contact your DHCP server”

DHCP server (router) not responding.

Fixes:

  1. Check router is powered on
  2. Verify Wi-Fi connected
  3. Restart router
  4. Wait 2 minutes
  5. Try ipconfig /renew again

Q33: “The requested operation requires elevation”

You need administrator privileges.

Fix:

  1. Close Command Prompt
  2. Right-click Command Prompt
  3. Select “Run as administrator”
  4. Run command again

Q34: “‘ipconfig’ is not recognized as an internal or external command”

Rare error. Usually means:

  • System PATH corrupted
  • Windows system files damaged
  • Typing error (check spelling)

Fixes:

  1. Check spelling: ipconfig (not “ifconfig” or “ipconifg”)
  2. Run: C:\Windows\System32\ipconfig.exe (full path)
  3. Repair Windows system files: sfc /scannow
  4. Restart computer

Comparison Questions

Q35: Is ipconfig the same as ping?

No. Different tools:

ipconfig:

  • Shows network configuration
  • Manages DHCP and DNS
  • Example: ipconfig /all

ping:

  • Tests network connectivity
  • Sends packets to host
  • Example: ping google.com

Use together:

cmd

ipconfig           (Get your IP and gateway)
ping 192.168.1.1   (Test router connection)
ping google.com    (Test internet)

Q36: What’s better: ipconfig or Control Panel network settings?

Both have uses:

Ipconfig (Command-line):

  • Faster for checking status
  • Better for troubleshooting
  • Can be scripted
  • Shows exact values
  • Release/renew IP quickly

Control Panel (GUI):

  • Easier for beginners
  • Change DNS servers
  • Set static IPs
  • Visual interface
  • Manage Wi-Fi networks

Best practice: Use both

  • Check status: ipconfig
  • Configure settings: Control Panel

Q37: Can ipconfig replace netsh?

No. Netsh is more powerful.

Ipconfig can:

  • View IP configuration
  • Release/renew DHCP
  • Flush DNS cache

Netsh can:

  • Everything ipconfig does
  • Set static IPs
  • Configure firewall
  • Manage wireless networks
  • Advanced routing
  • Export/import settings

Use ipconfig for: Quick checks and basic troubleshooting Use netsh for: Advanced configuration

Performance Questions

Q38: Will flushing DNS make my internet faster?

Short answer: No, not permanently.

What actually happens:

Right after flushing:

  • Internet slightly slower (first page loads)
  • DNS must look up every domain again
  • No cached entries to speed things up

After browsing for a few minutes:

  • Cache rebuilds automatically
  • Speed returns to normal

When it helps:

  • Corrupted cache slowing lookups
  • Wrong IP addresses cached
  • DNS resolution errors

Otherwise: No speed benefit. Cache normally makes things faster.

Q39: Does ipconfig use internet data?

No. Ipconfig runs locally on your computer. It doesn’t send data over the internet.

Even these commands are local:

  • ipconfig
  • ipconfig /all
  • ipconfig /displaydns

Commands that communicate with router (LAN, not internet):

  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • ipconfig /registerdns

These use local network, not internet bandwidth.

Q40: Can running ipconfig commands slow down my computer?

No. Ipconfig is extremely lightweight.

Resource usage:

  • RAM: < 1 MB
  • CPU: Negligible
  • Execution time: < 1 second

Safe to run as often as needed.

Advanced Tips & Tricks

This section covers power-user techniques and hidden features.

Save ipconfig Output to File

Save basic info:

cmd

ipconfig > C:\Users\User\Desktop\network-info.txt

Save detailed info:

cmd

ipconfig /all > C:\Users\User\Desktop\network-details.txt

Append to existing file:

cmd

ipconfig /all >> C:\Users\User\Desktop\network-log.txt

The > creates new file, >> adds to existing file.

Use case: Document network settings before/after changes.

Find Specific Information Quickly

Get only your IP address:

cmd

ipconfig | findstr IPv4

Output:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105

Get only MAC address:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr Physical

Get only DNS servers:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr DNS

Get only gateway:

cmd

ipconfig | findstr Gateway

Multiple filters:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr "IPv4 Gateway DNS"

Shows lines containing any of those words.

Create Network Reset Batch File

Create a file called network-reset.bat:

batch

@echo off
echo Network Reset Tool
echo ==================
echo.
echo Step 1: Releasing IP address...
ipconfig /release
echo.
echo Step 2: Flushing DNS cache...
ipconfig /flushdns
echo.
echo Step 3: Renewing IP address...
ipconfig /renew
echo.
echo Step 4: Registering DNS...
ipconfig /registerdns
echo.
echo Network reset complete!
echo.
pause

To use:

  1. Right-click the file
  2. “Run as administrator”
  3. Watch it run all commands automatically

Save time: One click instead of typing four commands.

Compare Network Settings

Before making changes:

cmd

ipconfig /all > before.txt

After making changes:

cmd

ipconfig /all > after.txt

Compare files:

cmd

fc before.txt after.txt

Shows differences between before and after.

Remote Computer ipconfig

Run ipconfig on another computer:

cmd

psexec \\COMPUTER-NAME ipconfig /all

Requires:

  • PsExec tool (from Microsoft Sysinternals)
  • Administrator access to remote computer
  • Network access

Continuous Monitoring

Check connection every 5 seconds:

cmd

:loop
ipconfig | findstr IPv4
timeout /t 5
goto loop

Press Ctrl+C to stop.

Use case: Monitor IP changes, DHCP renewals.

Combined Diagnostic Script

Create diagnose.bat:

batch

@echo off
echo Network Diagnostic Tool
echo =======================
echo.
echo Your IP Configuration:
ipconfig
echo.
echo Testing local network stack...
ping 127.0.0.1 -n 2
echo.
echo Testing router connection...
ping 192.168.1.1 -n 2
echo.
echo Testing internet connectivity...
ping 8.8.8.8 -n 2
echo.
echo Testing DNS resolution...
ping google.com -n 2
echo.
echo DNS Cache Contents:
ipconfig /displaydns | more
echo.
echo Diagnostic complete!
pause

Run once, test everything.

Network Information Summary

Get clean summary:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr "IPv4 Subnet Gateway DNS Physical"

Output shows only important lines:

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.105
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E

Schedule Automatic DNS Flush

Windows Task Scheduler:

  1. Open Task Scheduler
  2. Create Basic Task
  3. Name: “Flush DNS Daily”
  4. Trigger: Daily at 3:00 AM
  5. Action: Start a program
  6. Program: ipconfig
  7. Arguments: /flushdns
  8. Finish

DNS cache clears automatically every night.

Extract IP Address Only

Get just the IP number:

cmd

for /f "tokens=2 delims=:" %a in ('ipconfig ^| findstr IPv4') do @echo %a

Output:

 192.168.1.105

(Note the leading space)

Use in scripts:

batch

for /f "tokens=2 delims=:" %%a in ('ipconfig ^| findstr IPv4') do set IP=%%a
echo Your IP is:%IP%

Multiple Network Adapters Management

List all adapters:

cmd

ipconfig | findstr "adapter"

Shows:

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:
Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:
Ethernet adapter VirtualBox:

Release all adapters:

cmd

ipconfig /release *

Renew only Wi-Fi:

cmd

ipconfig /renew "Wi-Fi"

Pattern matching:

cmd

ipconfig /release Eth*

Releases all adapters starting with “Eth”.

Check DHCP Lease Expiration

See when your IP expires:

cmd

ipconfig /all | findstr "Lease"

Output:

   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, October 20, 2025 10:30:15 AM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, October 21, 2025 10:30:15 AM

24 hours remaining in this example.

Calculate remaining time:

Your IP expires at the “Lease Expires” time. After that, automatic renewal happens (usually successful).

PowerShell Alternative Commands

PowerShell offers newer alternatives:

Show IP config:

powershell

Get-NetIPConfiguration

Simplified output:

powershell

Get-NetIPAddress

Release/Renew:

powershell

Release-DhcpLease
Renew-DhcpLease

Both work: Use ipconfig or PowerShell cmdlets (personal preference).

Downloadable Cheat Sheet Content

Ipconfig Quick Reference

Basic Commands:

ipconfig                      Show basic IP configuration
ipconfig /all                 Show detailed configuration
ipconfig /release             Release IP address
ipconfig /renew               Get new IP address
ipconfig /flushdns            Clear DNS cache
ipconfig /displaydns          View DNS cache
ipconfig /registerdns         Register with DNS server

Quick Fixes:

Connection Problem:
ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew

DNS Problem:
ipconfig /flushdns

Complete Reset:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /registerdns

Find Information:

Your IP:          ipconfig | findstr IPv4
Your MAC:         ipconfig /all | findstr Physical
DNS Servers:      ipconfig /all | findstr DNS
Default Gateway:  ipconfig | findstr Gateway

Common IP Ranges:

Home Networks:    192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x
Corporate:        10.x.x.x
APIPA (Bad):      169.254.x.x
Localhost:        127.0.0.1

When to Use:

Internet not working          → /release and /renew
Website won't load            → /flushdns
Need MAC address              → /all | findstr Physical
Check network settings        → /all
After router restart          → /renew

Administrator Required:

✓ ipconfig
✓ ipconfig /all
✓ ipconfig /displaydns
✓ ipconfig /flushdns

✗ ipconfig /release         (needs admin)
✗ ipconfig /renew           (needs admin)
✗ ipconfig /registerdns     (needs admin)

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. ipconfig                    Check IP (should be 192.168.x.x)
2. ping 192.168.1.1           Test router
3. ping 8.8.8.8               Test internet
4. ping google.com            Test DNS
5. ipconfig /flushdns         Clear DNS if needed

Public DNS Servers:

Google DNS:        8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare:        1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
OpenDNS:           208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

Network Terminology Glossary

APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) Self-assigned IP address (169.254.x.x) when DHCP server unavailable. Indicates connection problem.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Automatic IP address assignment system. Your router is usually the DHCP server.

DNS (Domain Name System) Translates website names (google.com) into IP addresses (142.250.185.46).

DNS Cache Saved list of website-to-IP translations. Speeds up browsing but can become outdated.

Default Gateway Your router’s IP address. Path to internet and other networks.

IP Address Unique identifier for your device on network. Format: 192.168.1.105 (IPv4) or 2001:db8::1 (IPv6).

IPv4 Traditional internet protocol. Format: 192.168.1.105. Running out of addresses.

IPv6 Newer internet protocol. Format: 2001:0db8:85a3::1a2b. Unlimited addresses.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) Company providing your internet connection (Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc.).

LAN (Local Area Network) Your home or office network. Devices connected to same router.

Lease Time How long your IP address assignment lasts. Usually 24 hours. Automatically renewed.

Localhost Your own computer. IP: 127.0.0.1. Used for testing.

MAC Address (Media Access Control) Permanent hardware ID of network adapter. Format: 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E.

Netmask (Subnet Mask) Defines network size. Common: 255.255.255.0 (254 devices possible).

Ping Test if you can reach another device. Sends packets and measures response time.

Private IP IP address only valid on local network. Examples: 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x.

Public IP IP address visible on internet. Assigned by ISP to your router.

Router Device connecting your local network to internet. Usually has IP 192.168.1.1.

Static IP Manually assigned IP address that never changes. Used for servers and printers.

Subnet Portion of network. Subnet mask determines which devices are local vs remote.

TCP/IP Core internet protocols. TCP ensures reliable data delivery. IP handles addressing.

TTL (Time To Live) How long cached DNS entry remains valid. Measured in seconds.

WAN (Wide Area Network) Network beyond your router. Usually means “the internet.”

Conclusion

You now know everything about ipconfig:

Basic Skills:

  • How to run ipconfig commands
  • What each output line means
  • Finding your IP address, MAC address, and gateway

Troubleshooting:

  • Fixing internet connection problems
  • Resolving DNS errors
  • Dealing with IP conflicts
  • Complete network resets

Advanced Techniques:

  • Saving output to files
  • Creating diagnostic scripts
  • Filtering specific information
  • Remote management

Problem Solving:

  • 60-70% of connection issues fixed with release/renew
  • DNS problems solved with /flushdns
  • Proper troubleshooting sequence

Key Takeaways:

Most Common Commands (memorize these):

  1. ipconfig – Check your IP
  2. ipconfig /all – Get details
  3. ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew – Fix connections
  4. ipconfig /flushdns – Fix DNS

When Internet Breaks:

  1. Run ipconfig (check IP)
  2. Check for 169.254.x.x (bad) or 192.168.x.x (good)
  3. Run ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew
  4. Test with ping google.com
  5. If still broken, restart router

Red Flags:

  • IP is 169.254.x.x (APIPA – can’t reach router)
  • IP is 0.0.0.0 (no IP assigned)
  • No default gateway (can’t reach internet)
  • DNS errors (websites won’t load)

Remember:

  • Ipconfig is safe to use
  • Can’t damage your computer
  • Worst case: Temporary disconnection (fixed with /renew)
  • Save time vs clicking through Windows settings

Next Steps:

Practice: Run ipconfig right now. Understand your current network configuration.

Create Tools: Make a network-reset.bat file for quick troubleshooting.

Learn More: Explore related commands: ping, tracert, nslookup, netstat.

Help Others: Share this guide. Help coworkers and family fix their connections.

Download Cheat Sheet

Save This Quick Reference:

Create a text file with these commands for quick access:

IPCONFIG CHEAT SHEET
====================

CHECK STATUS:
ipconfig                           Basic info
ipconfig /all                      Detailed info

FIX CONNECTION:
ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew

FIX DNS:
ipconfig /flushdns

FIND INFO:
ipconfig | findstr IPv4            Your IP
ipconfig /all | findstr Physical   MAC address
ipconfig /all | findstr DNS        DNS servers

COMPLETE RESET:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns  
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /registerdns

TROUBLESHOOT:
1. ipconfig (check IP)
2. ping 192.168.1.1 (test router)
3. ping 8.8.8.8 (test internet)
4. ping google.com (test DNS)

ADMIN COMMANDS:
Right-click CMD > Run as administrator
- /release
- /renew  
- /registerdns

Save as ipconfig-cheat-sheet.txt on your desktop.

Additional Resources

Microsoft Official Documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/ipconfig

Related Commands to Learn:

  • ping – Test connectivity
  • tracert – Trace network path
  • nslookup – DNS lookup tool
  • netstat – Network statistics
  • netsh – Advanced network configuration

Network Troubleshooting Tools:

  • Windows Network Troubleshooter (built-in)
  • Wireshark (packet analysis)
  • PingPlotter (network monitoring)

Community Help:

  • r/techsupport (Reddit)
  • SuperUser.com (Stack Exchange)
  • Microsoft Community Forums

Thank You for Reading

You’ve completed the complete ipconfig guide. You can now:

  • Diagnose network problems
  • Fix common connection issues
  • Understand your network configuration
  • Use ipconfig like a professional

Bookmark this guide. Reference it whenever network problems occur.

Share your success: Help others fix their internet using these techniques.

Questions? Review the FAQ section or search for your specific error message.

Happy troubleshooting!

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