IP Address Conflict Detected in Windows: How to Resolve the Issue

An IP address conflict in Windows occurs when two or more devices in the same network attempt to use the same IP address. This can lead to network issues, loss of internet connection, and other inconveniences. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of IP address conflicts and provide a step-by-step guide on how to resolve them.

What Causes an IP Address Conflict?

The primary causes of IP address conflicts include:

  • Static IP assignment: If the same IP address is manually assigned to two devices, it will inevitably result in a conflict.
  • DHCP server issues: Sometimes, a DHCP server (usually the router) may assign the same IP address to two devices due to a malfunction.
  • Connecting a device with duplicate IP settings: If a new device is connected with IP settings identical to those of an existing device, a conflict can occur.

How to Fix an IP Address Conflict in Windows

1. Restart Your Router and Devices

Sometimes restarting the router and all connected devices can automatically resolve the IP address conflict. Disconnect and reconnect your devices to allow them to obtain new IP addresses from DHCP.

2. Use Command to Release and Renew IP Address

Follow these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt (type cmd in the search bar and run as administrator).
  2. Type the command: ipconfig /release and press Enter.
  3. Then, type the command: ipconfig /renew and press Enter again.

These commands will release the current IP address and attempt to assign a new one to the device.

3. Check Static IP Address Settings

If a static IP address has been manually assigned to your device, ensure that this IP address is unique and not in use by any other device on the network.

  1. Go to Network & Internet Settings.
  2. Select Change adapter options.
  3. Find your connection, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
  4. Go to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and verify the IP address settings.

4. Disable and Re-enable Your Network Adapter

This step can help in cases of temporary adapter malfunctions:

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to Network Connections.
  2. Find your network adapter, disable it, and then re-enable it through the context menu.

5. Check DHCP Server Settings on the Router

Access your router settings and make sure the IP address range assigned by DHCP is wide enough and does not overlap with other network settings.