FIX: Computer is stuck on 169 IP address [detailed guide]

Some PC users might have made certain configuration changes to their systems.

Whether by updating the OS, upgrading to a major OS release, migrating to a new system, or performing a system restore, these can all affect your PC.

With that in mind, check for any recent changes on your system and try to roll them back one-by-one.

If you see no improvement, you can move to our other suggestions.

One of the reasons that the 169 IP address is assigned is to let the network interface create an ad-hoc network without an established network.

This only happens if the network detects a proper hardware connection but can’t communicate with the DHCP server to get an IP address.

In this situation, more often than not, the culprit is the system’s firewall.

Therefore, it makes sense that resetting your firewall preferences and rebooting your system could fix this issue.

1. Right click your Start menu

2. Select Device Manager

3. Find Network Adapters

4. Expand the list

5. Right-click the LAN Ethernet adapter

6. Select Properties

7. Go to the Driver tab

8. Click the Uninstall button

9. Restart your computer

1. Right click the Start menu

2. Select Run

3. Type compmgmt.msc and press Enter

4. Select Device Manager

5. Expand the Network Adapters list

6. Right-click the troublesome Ethernet or Wireless Adapter driver (it may have an exclamation mark or error mark next to it)

7. Click the Uninstall button

8. Right click the Network Adapters category

9. Select Scan for Hardware Changes

10. Right-click the Start menu

11. Select Run

12. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK

13. Right-click your computer’s Network Adapter

14. Click the Properties button

15. Uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) box then click OK

16. Right click Start

17. Select Command Prompt (Admin)

18. In the command prompt window type the following commands, followed by Enter (for each of them):

• netsh winsock reset catalog
• netsh int ip reset reset.log
• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew

19. Restart your computer and try to connect again

1. Buy a VPN subscription
2. Download the VPN client
3. Install it on your PC
4. Launch the VPN client
5. Log in to your account
6. Connect to a server of your choice (regardless of location)
7. Check if you’re still stuck with a 169 IP address

What a VPN does is it allows you to surf the web anonymously by assigning you a different IP address than your ISP-assigned one.

Thus, a VPN can not only keep you away from traffic monitors, spies, and hackers, but it can also prevent this type of error from occurring.

The best VPNs for Windows 10 have a large number of servers across the globe, allowing you a seamless connection at all times.

1. Right-click the Start menu

2. Select Control Panel

3. Go to the Power Options category

4. Select the Choose what the power buttons do option

5. Click the Change settings that are currently unavailable button

6. Scroll down to Shutdown settings

7. Uncheck the Turn on fast startup option

8. Click Save changes

1. Right click your Start Menu

2. Select Run

3. Type services.msc and press enter

4. Go to the Services section

5. Select DNS client

6. Right click and select Restart

This is useful especially if your computer has an infection with a proxy redirection, thus scanning your system will check these issues.

1. Click Start

2. Go to the search field box and type CMD

3. Right-click Command Prompt

4. Select Run as Administrator

5. Type sfc/scannow

6. Press Enter

7. Restart your computer and try to connect again

1. Right click Start

2. Select Control Panel

3. Go to the Network and Internet category

4. Click the Network and Sharing center button

5. Select the Manage Network Connections option

7. Right-click your Local Area Network and select Properties (make sure that the device listed refers to a Realtek RTL Ethernet card)

8. Go to the Networking tab

9. Uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) option

10. Highlight (click) the Internet Protocol Version4 (IPv4) option

11. Click Properties

12. Go to the General tab

13. Select Use the following IP address and type the following:

• IP Address: 192.168.0.1
• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
• Default Gateway: nothing (leave it blank)

14. Under the Alternate Configuration tab, set to Automatic private IP address

15. Click OK for both windows to save and exit

Rerun the automatic configuration for your network connection. If it does not complete successfully, set up the network information to:

• IP Address: 168.0.2
• Subnet mask: 255.255.0
• Default Gateway: 168.0.1

Save and then test your connection once again.