How To Change IP Address - Change Your IP Address Easily

Learning how to change your IP address is very important. Your IP address can be used to identify you online and may be used to block you in some cases. You should always try to avoid getting blocked or banned from a site but if all else fails you can always switch IP address.

Before trying to change your IP you should make a note of your existing IP address. You can check it at the top of this page or on the Whats My IP homepage.

Switch Off Your Modem

The first thing you can try to change IP address is to simply turn off your cable or DSL modem for about ten minutes. Don’t just put your modem on standby. Actually switch it off so there is no power going to it.

If in doubt, simply unplug the power supply from the socket!

After ten minutes simply plug your modem back in and check your IP address. You can leave this webpage up and simply refresh it when you turn your modem back on. If your IP address has changed the IP at the top of the page will change also.

If this doesn’t work and you get the same IP address you should try repeating the process for a longer period of time. The best time to do this is when your Internet connection is not required. You can try disconnecting your modem overnight or perhaps before you go to work if nobody needs to get on the Internet.

The longer your modem is disconnected the more chance there is of obtaining a new IP address. From personal experience it can take many days to get a new IP address using this method and there is no guarantee your IP will change. It’s really down to how your Internet Service Provider allocates it’s IP addresses and how often they release IP addresses which are no longer in use.

Use An Internet Proxy Service To Conceal Your IP Address

Fortunately there are a number of other ways you can get a new IP address. You may wish to use a free web proxy service such as those listed on My Daily Proxy. You simply go to the proxy website and enter the address of the website you would like to visit. Your IP address is kept secret and a different IP address is used. This works for simple websites but can cause problems for sites running JavaScript. It is certainly worth a try.

Using IPConfig In Windows To Release Your IP Address

If you are running Windows with your computer hooked up directly to the modem you can try the following methods to force an IP address switch...

Method 1

1. Get the command prompt by clicking on Start > Run and then type command and click ok
2. Then type ‘ipconfig /release’ without quotes into the command window
3. Then type ‘ipconfig /renew’ without quotes into the command window
4. Check your IP address

Method 2

1. Get the command prompt by clicking on Start > Run and then type command and click ok
2. Then type ipconfig /release" without quotes into the command window
3. Shut down windows
4. Make sure the computer is turned off
5. Switch off the modem
6. Leave everything off for 8 hours or more
7. Switch the modem back on
8. Switch the computer back on
9. Check your IP address

Changing Your Router Settings In The Router Admin Panel

If your computer is not connected directly to the modem and is connected to a router you can try this method...

1. Login to your router’s admin panel – Refer to the manufacturer’s website if you have problems
2. Change or release the IP address – The method will vary depending on your router
3. Check your IP address
4. If your IP didn’t change switch off the router and your modem for 8 hours or overnight
5. Switch everything back on
6. Check your IP

Disconnect Your Router & Connect Directly To Your Modem

If your cable or DSL modem is connected to a router you can try connecting the modem directly to your computer. This will often change your IP address but will mean only your PC can connect to the Internet. It is also not the most secure method as you are bypassing any protection which your router provides.

This works because it forces your ISP's DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to allocate you a new IP address based on the MAC (Media Access Control) address of your computer’s network card instead of the router MAC address.

IP Changing Software - Does It Work?

There are a lot of IP changing programs being advertised at the moment. None of the ones I've seen works in a reliable manner. If anyone can suggest one that works properly and is worth the asking price, please let me know.

Call Your Internet Service Provider

If all this fails you will probably have to call your ISP and get them to change your IP. You may be able to get this done for free, but you may be charged for this.

You will probably be asked why you want to change your IP and should think about what you say. If your are changing your IP because of something you did wrong you will normally get charged.

However, if you are requesting an IP address change because of something somebody else did or because of something beyond your control you may get it changed free of charge!