Frequent IP Changes: How to Set a Static IP Address? [4 Steps]

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In This Guide

What’s the Difference Between Static and Dynamic IP Addresses?

Why Your IP Address Changes

Steps to Obtain and Configure a Static IP Address for Your PC

Step 1: Check if you have a Dynamic or Static IP

Step 2: Requesting a Static IP from Your ISP

Step 3: Setting Up the Router with the Static IP

Step 4: Setting Up Your Device with the Static IP

Final Words

Protect Your PC

Many users often experience frequent changes in their IP addresses, even when using the same router or portable WiFi device. In this article, we’ll explore how you can prevent these changes by setting a static IP address. <<- If that’s allowed by your ISP, of course.

Sometimes, frequent IP changes lead to streaming errors like 3002 on Paramount and H403 on netflix.
Even more, some users reported missing WiFi connection options as well.

What’s the Difference Between Static and Dynamic IP Addresses?

IP addresses come in two types: static and dynamic. A static IP address remains unchanged and provides a consistent connection, making it ideal for devices that require reliable access, such as servers, network printers, and remote desktops.
In contrast, a dynamic IP address is assigned temporarily by a DHCP server and can change each time a device reconnects to the network, which is suitable for most general uses.

Why Your IP Address Changes

When you use a portable WiFi device, such as a mobile hotspot, the IP address assigned to your device is typically dynamic. Here’s why your IP address changes:

• ISP Policies: ISPs often allocate dynamic IP addresses to efficiently manage their limited IP address pool and it can lead to frequent changes for users. 
• Session Expiry: Many ISPs have a lease time for IP addresses, which means the IP address assigned to your device will be re-evaluated and possibly reassigned periodically. Some users have said that resetting their router started the issue and setting the lease period solved it for them. 

To resolve the issue of frequent IP changes, obtaining a static IP address is necessary. In the following sections, we will guide you through the process of configuring a static IP address to ensure a stable and reliable network connection.

Steps to Obtain and Configure a Static IP Address for Your PC

If you need a static IP address, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check if you have a Dynamic or Static IP

The first step is to identify whether your IP address is Static or Dynamic. To determine that follow the below:

• Press the ‘Win + S’ keys, type “cmd” and press ‘Enter’ to open the “Command Prompt”.

• Type “ipconfig /all” in the prompt window and hit ‘Enter’.
• Locate the line indicating “DHCP Enabled”. If it shows “Yes”, your IP address is dynamic. If it shows “No”, your IP address is static.

Step 2: Requesting a Static IP from Your ISP

Reach out to your ISP and inquire if they offer static IP addresses. Please note that depending upon your ISP’s policies you might need to pay additional costs, as static IP addresses often come at a premium

• Contact your ISP’s customer service through their designated number.
• Request to add a static IP address to your account.
• Follow any further instructions given by your ISP to finalize the setup process.

Step 3: Setting Up the Router with the Static IP

Once you have a static IP address, you may need to manually configure your portable WiFi device to use the static IP. Here’s what to do:

• Access your router by typing its IP address into your web browser’s address bar. Usually, this information is located on the back of your router or in its manual.

• Enter your username and password to access the router’s admin panel. If you haven’t changed these credentials from the defaults, they are usually provided on the router or in the manual.

• Look for a section labeled “WAN” or “Network Settings” in the admin panel. Depending on your router, this section might be under “Advanced Settings”.

• Look for the field for IP address and enter the “static IP” provided by your ISP.

After entering all necessary information, save your settings. The router needs to be restarted for changes to take effect.

Step 4: Setting Up Your Device with the Static IP

Now, it’s time to configure your device to use the static IP. This involves entering the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers provided by your ISP into your device’s settings. Follow these steps:

• Click on the ‘Start’ menu, select “Settings”, or press ‘Win + I’ shortcut on your keyboard.
• Navigate to “Network & Internet” and click on “Advanced network settings”.

• Under “Network adapters”, find and expand your connection (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
• Click “Edit” under “More adapter options”.

• Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and choose “Properties”.
• Choose “Use the following IP address” and enter the details provided by your ISP, including IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway. Optionally, you can also adjust the DNS server settings here.

• Click “OK” to save the changes, and restart your PC to apply the new network settings effectively.

Final Words

That’s all! Switching to a Static IP is easy with these steps. By following this guide, you can effectively obtain and configure a static IP address to suit your requirements.
And if you have any difficulties doing that — we encourage sharing your experience in the comments below.