How to check IP address in Windows

Knowing the current IP address on a Windows PC helps with remote access, printer setup, file sharing, and troubleshooting when connectivity becomes unreliable.

Windows assigns addressing details per network adapter (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, VPN, and virtual adapters) using either DHCP or a static configuration. The built-in ipconfig tool reads the current TCP/IP settings and reports values such as the IPv4 address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

Multiple adapters can appear in the output, so the relevant section is the adapter that is connected and has the expected gateway/DNS settings. The address shown by ipconfig is typically a private LAN address (not an ISP public IP) and may change after reconnecting, renewing a lease, or enabling a VPN.

1. Open the Command Prompt by searching for it in the Start menu or the search bar.
2. Run ipconfig to display basic network information.

   C:\Users\user>ipconfig
   
   Windows IP Configuration
   
   
   Ethernet adapter Ethernet0:
   
      Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : localdomain
      Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::216e:245a:7a1d:e789%6
      IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.189
      Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
      Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.2
   
   Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:
   
      Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   ##### snipped #####

   Look for IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway under the adapter in use. Link-local IPv6 Address values starting with fe80:: are local-only.

3. Review the IPv4 address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway listed under the active network adapter.
4. Run ipconfig /all to display detailed network information.

   C:\Users\user>ipconfig /all
   
   Windows IP Configuration
   
      Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : host
      Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
      Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
      IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
      WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
      DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : localdomain
   
   Ethernet adapter Ethernet0:
   
      Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : localdomain
      Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) 82574L Gigabit Network Connection
      Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0C-29-D1-94-0A
      DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
      Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
      Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::216e:245a:7a1d:e789%6(Preferred)
      IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.189(Preferred)
      Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
      Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:38:46 PM
      Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, February 19, 2022 2:23:45 PM
      Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.2
      DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.254
      DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 100666409
      DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-29-A3-1B-BC-00-0C-29-D1-94-0A
      DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.2
      Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 192.168.111.2
      NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled
   
   Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:
   
      Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
      Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
      Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
      Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : F8-FF-C2-51-B8-74
      DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
      Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

   Use ipconfig /all | more to page long output in Command Prompt.

5. Review additional details such as the MAC address, DHCP status, and DNS servers.
6. Verify that the network adapter is correctly connected by checking the Media State line.

   Ignore adapters reporting Media disconnected when identifying the active connection.

7. Close the Command Prompt when done.