Whether you are new to ip refresh cmd or just need a quick refresher, the sections below walk through the key points.
To do an IP refresh using CMD on Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator, type ipconfig /release and press Enter, then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter. This tells your router’s DHCP server to take back your old address and give your computer a new lease, which often fixes connection problems such as “limited connectivity” or an address conflict.
Key takeaways
- Run Command Prompt as administrator, then use
ipconfig /releasefollowed byipconfig /renew. - Releasing your IP briefly disconnects you, so save your work first.
- A renewed address may be the same as before; that is normal on home networks.
- Pair the refresh with
ipconfig /flushdnsif websites fail to load. - This changes your local IP only, not your public IP as seen by websites.
What releasing and renewing an IP address means
Every device on a network needs an address. At home, your router usually hands these out automatically using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). The address is “leased” for a set time. When you release it, your computer tells the DHCP server it no longer needs the address. When you renew, it asks for a new lease, which might be the same address or a different one.
Refreshing is useful when a device has a stale lease, when two devices accidentally ended up with the same address, after moving between networks, or after changing router settings. It is a quick, low-risk first step before more advanced troubleshooting.
Step-by-step: IP refresh in CMD on Windows
- Click the Start button and type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Confirm the prompt.
- Type
ipconfig /releaseand press Enter. Your connection will drop and the adapter will show no IPv4 address. - Type
ipconfig /renewand press Enter. Wait a few seconds while Windows requests a new lease. - Type
ipconfig /alland press Enter to check the new IPv4 address, default gateway and DHCP server. - Test your connection by opening a website.
The same commands work in Windows PowerShell and Windows Terminal. On Windows 11 you can also right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (Admin). Microsoft documents command-line networking tools on its official support site.
What if there are several adapters?
Typing ipconfig /release with no name affects all adapters that use DHCP. To refresh only one, add the adapter name in quotes, for example ipconfig /release "Wi-Fi" and ipconfig /renew "Wi-Fi". Use ipconfig /all to see exact adapter names.
Useful related commands
| Command | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
ipconfig |
Shows basic IP details | Quick check of your address |
ipconfig /all |
Shows full details including MAC address and DHCP server | Diagnosing conflicts |
ipconfig /release |
Gives up the current lease | Start of a refresh |
ipconfig /renew |
Requests a new lease | After release |
ipconfig /flushdns |
Clears the DNS resolver cache | Sites fail to load or load old pages |
netsh winsock reset |
Resets network socket settings | Persistent faults; restart afterwards |
On Mac and phones
Command Prompt is a Windows tool, but the idea is the same elsewhere.
Mac
Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS), choose Network, select your connection, then click Details or Advanced and open the TCP/IP tab. Click Renew DHCP Lease. Apple’s support site has current instructions for your version.
iPhone and Android
The simplest approach is to turn Wi-Fi off and on, or to forget the network and reconnect. On iPhone you can also tap the information icon next to a network and choose Renew Lease. Airplane mode for a few seconds works as a quick reset too.
What this does not change
Refreshing your IP from CMD affects only your local address, the one your router gives your device, such as one starting 192.168. It does not change the public IP address that websites see; that belongs to your internet provider and changes only when your router reconnects or the provider assigns a new one. Do not rely on this trick to hide your identity or bypass bans, and note that using it to dodge rules on a service may break its terms.
If you want a plain-English look at another kind of everyday physics-meets-tech explainer, try our article on laminar versus turbulent flow.
Troubleshooting when it does not work
- “The requested operation requires elevation”: You did not run Command Prompt as administrator. Close it and reopen with admin rights.
- “An error occurred while renewing interface”: The adapter may be disabled, unplugged or set to a static address. Check the cable or Wi-Fi and the adapter settings.
- You receive an address starting 169.254: Windows could not reach a DHCP server. Restart the router and check cables.
- The address stays the same: This is normal. Routers often give the same address back to the same device.
- Still no internet: Restart the router, run the Windows network troubleshooter, check for a service outage with your provider or try another device.
Safety notes
Only run commands you understand and avoid copying random commands from unknown sources into an administrator window. The ipconfig commands above are standard Windows tools and safe to use. On a work or school computer, network settings may be managed by your IT team, so ask them before making changes. Remember that on shared or public Wi-Fi, a release and renew may not give you the same access you had before if the network uses a login page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to release and renew my IP address?
Yes. It is a normal troubleshooting step. You will lose connection briefly, so save any online work first.
Why does my IP stay the same after renewing?
Your router’s DHCP server often reserves the same address for your device while the lease is still valid. That is expected behaviour.
Do I need administrator rights?
On most Windows systems, yes. If you see an elevation error, reopen Command Prompt with Run as administrator.
Will this change my public IP address?
No. It changes only your local network address. Your public IP is controlled by your internet provider.
What should I do if the commands fail?
Check cables or Wi-Fi, restart your router and computer, run the Windows network troubleshooter, and try ipconfig /flushdns. If the problem continues, contact your internet provider.
Conclusion
An IP refresh using CMD takes less than a minute: open an administrator Command Prompt, run ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew, and check the result with ipconfig /all. It resolves many everyday connection hiccups, and if it does not, the related commands and the troubleshooting list above will help you narrow down whether the problem is your device, your router or your provider.
Key takeaways about ip refresh cmd
Here is a short summary of ip refresh cmd so you can find the main points quickly.
- To do an IP refresh using CMD on Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator, type ipconfig /release and press Enter, then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Every device on a network needs an address.
- Refreshing is useful when a device has a stale lease, when two devices accidentally ended up with the same address, after moving between networks, or after changing router settings.
- The same commands work in Windows PowerShell and Windows Terminal.
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