How to Change NIC IP Address on Windows 10

A NIC (Network Interface Card) allows your computer to connect to a network. Sometimes, you need to change its IP address, such as troubleshooting network issues, setting up a static IP for a device, and improving network security. Windows 10 is a popular system in daily life.

In this guide, we’ll share four methods to change the NIC IP address on Windows 10, via Windows Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and PowerShell. You can choose as needed.

What is NIC

A NIC (Network Interface Card) is an essential hardware component that allows a device to communicate, exchange data, and connect to a network. It can be integrated into the motherboard or installed as a separate card.

Why Change the NIC IP Address on Windows 10

Changing the IP address of your NIC is necessary in below common cases:

1. Set Up a Static IP

Some devices need a fixed address, like printers, servers, gaming consoles, etc.

2. Troubleshoot Network Issues

Resolve conflicts caused by duplicate IP addresses.

3. Access Specific Networks

Connect to networks requiring a specific IP address range.

4. Improve Security

Manually changing your IP can prevent some tracking attempts.

5. Test Network Configurations

Developers and IT professionals often change IPs for testing.

How to Check Your Current NIC IP Address

Before changing your NIC IP address, knowing your current configuration is often helpful.

You can follow these steps to check your current NIC IP address:

1. Open Command Prompt

Press “Win” + “R” at the same time, type “cmd”, and click “Confirm”.

2. Run the IP Configuration Command

Type the following command and press Enter:

For Copy:

ipconfig

3. Find Your NIC’s IP Address

Look for the Ethernet adapter or Wi-Fi adapter section under IPv4 Address. This is your current IP address.

How to Change NIC IP Address on Windows 10

You can make it using the Settings app, Control Panel, or Command Prompt. Let’s explore each method.

Method 1: Change NIC IP Address via Windows Settings

The Settings app offers a user-friendly way to change your NIC IP address.

1. Open Network Settings

a. Press “Win” + “I” to open the Window Settings.

b. Navigate to Network & Internet > Status.

c. Click Change adapter options under the "Advanced network settings" section.

2. Access NIC Properties

Right-click your active network adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.

3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

Scroll down, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and click Properties.

4. Set a Static IP Address

a. Select Use the following IP address.

b. Enter the following details：

• IP Address: The new IP address you want to assign (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
• Subnet Mask: Typically 255.255.255.0 for home networks.
• Default Gateway: Your router IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).

5. Set DNS Server Addresses (Optional)

You can also configure DNS settings:

• Preferred DNS Server: Use your router’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1) or a public DNS like Google’s (8.8.8.8).
• Alternate DNS Server: Use a secondary DNS (e.g., 8.8.4.4).

6. Save the Changes

a. Click OK, then close all windows.

b. Restart your network adapter if required.

Method 2: Change NIC IP Address via Control Panel

The Control Panel offers another way to configure your NIC’s IP address.

1. Open Network and Sharing Center

a. Press “Win” + “R”, type control, and press Enter.

b. Go to Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

2. Access NIC Properties

Right-click your active network adapter and select Properties.

3. Configure IPv4 Settings

a. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.

b. Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to set a static IP or switch to automatic IP assignment.

Method 3: Change NIC IP Address via Command Prompt

For advanced users, the Command Prompt provides a quick way to change your NIC IP address.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Press “Win” + “S”, type cmd, right click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

2. Find Your Network Interface Name

Run the following command:

For Copy:

netsh interface ipv4 show config

• Note the name of the network interface you want to configure (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi).

3. Change the IP Address

Use the following command to set a static IP:

For Copy:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="Ethernet" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

• Replace 192.168.1.100 with your desired IP.
• Replace 255.255.255.0 with your subnet mask.
• Replace 192.168.1.1 with your default gateway.

4. Set DNS Servers (Optional)

To configure the DNS server, use:

For Copy:

netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="Ethernet" static 8.8.8.8

5. Verify Changes

Run ipconfig to check and ensure the new IP address is not in use by another device.

Method 4: Change NIC IP Address via PowerShell

PowerShell is a modern alternative to Command Prompt for managing network settings.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

Press "Win" + "X" and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Find Your NIC Name

Run the following command:

For Copy:

Get-NetIPAddress

3. Set a New IP Address

Use this command to set a static IP:

For Copy:

New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress 192.168.1.100 -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway 192.168.1.1

• Replace Ethernet with your NIC name.
• Replace 192.168.1.100 with your desired IP address.
• Use 24 as the prefix length for a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

4. Set DNS Servers

Configure DNS servers using:

For Copy:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4

How to Switch Back to Automatic IP Assignment (DHCP)

If you want your NIC to automatically obtain an IP address, follow these steps:

1. Via Settings

Go to Network & Internet > Change adapter options, then set IPv4 to Obtain an IP address automatically.

2. Via Command Prompt

Run this command:

For Copy:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="Ethernet" source=dhcp

3. Via PowerShell

Use this command:

For Copy:

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -Dhcp Enabled

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. IP Address Conflict

• Ensure the new IP address you are trying to assign is unique within your network. You can check active devices by running arp -a in Command Prompt to see a list of currently connected IP addresses.
• Choose a different IP address within your network's range and try again.

2. No Internet Access

• Verify that the Default Gateway and DNS Server settings are correct. The Default Gateway should typically be your router’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
• Run the command ipconfig /all to check your current settings.

3. Changes Not Applied

• Restart your network adapter by disabling, and then enabling it. You can do this via the Network Connections window.
• If that doesn’t work, try restarting your computer to apply the changes.

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FAQs

1. What is the difference between static and dynamic IP addresses?

• Static IP: Manually configured and doesn’t change. Useful for devices requiring a fixed address.
• Dynamic IP: Automatically assigned by a DHCP server and can change over time.

2. Do I need admin rights to change my NIC IP address?

Yes, changing network settings requires administrative privileges.

3. How do I choose the right IP address?

Ensure the IP is within your network’s range and doesn’t conflict with other devices.

4. Can I change the IP address for Wi-Fi and Ethernet separately?

Yes, both adapters have independent configurations.

Conclusion

Changing the NIC IP address on Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can solve network issues, enable static IP configurations, or improve network performance. Whether you prefer using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, this guide has covered all the methods to help you get it done.

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