How to change from static to dynamic IP address on Windows 10

Are you using a static IP address? Here are four ways to switch to a dynamic configuration on Windows 10.

Windows 10 enable DHCP IP
Windows 10 enable DHCP IP

On Windows 10, you can configure a network adapter to use a static IP address manually, or you can use an automatically assigned configuration using the local Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

Although using a static IP address is recommended for devices that provide services to network users, as its configuration never changes, it may come a time when you may no longer need this configuration, and a dynamically assigned network configuration will be more suited.

If you use a static IP address and need to switch to a dynamic configuration, it’s possible to perform this task in several ways, including using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and even PowerShell.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to remove a static IP address configuration to obtain a dynamic configuration from the DHCP server on Windows 10.

Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Settings

To enable DHCP to obtain a TCP/IP configuration automatically on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Network & Internet.

  3. Click on Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

  4. Click the network connection.

  5. Under the “IP settings” section, click the Edit button.

    Edit IP settings on Windows 10

  6. Use the Edit IP settings drop-down menu and select the Automatic (DHCP) option.

    Enable automatic (DHCP) IP address using Settings app

  7. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the networking stack configuration will reset, and your device will request an IP address from the DHCP server (usually your router).

Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Command Prompt

To switch from a static TCP/IP configuration to a dynamically assigned configuration using DHCP with Command Prompt, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to note the name of the network adapter and press Enter

    ipconfig

    Network adapter name using Command Prompt

  4. Type the following command to configure the network adapter to obtain its TCP/IP configuration using DHCP and press Enter:

    netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet1" dhcp

    In the command, make sure to change “Ethernet1” for the adapter’s name that you want to configure.

    Enable DHCP on Windows 10 using Command Prompt

After completing the steps, the network adapter will stop using a static IP address, and it’ll obtain a configuration automatically from the DHCP server.

Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from PowerShell

To remove a static IP and DNS addresses to use a dynamic configuration using PowerShell, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to note the “InterfaceIndex” number for the network adapter and press Enter:

    Get-NetIPConfiguration

    Network interface information using PowerShell

  4. Type the following command to enable the network adapter to obtain its TCP/IP configuration using DHCP and press Enter:

    Get-NetAdapter -Name Ethernet1 | Set-NetIPInterface -Dhcp Enabled

    In the command, make sure to change “Ethernet0” for the adapter’s name that you want to configure.

  5. Type the following command to enable the network adapter to obtain its DNS configuration using DHCP and press Enter:

    Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 3 -ResetServerAddresses

    In the command, change “3” for the InterfaceIndex for the adapter to configure.

    Enable DHCP for dynamic IP assignment using PowerShell

Once you complete the steps, the IP and DNS addresses will be reset from the adapter, and your computer will receive a new dynamic configuration from DHCP.

Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Control Panel

To configure a network adapter to use a dynamic IP address using Control Panel, use these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.

  2. Click on Network and Internet.

  3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

  4. On the left pane, click the “Change adapter settings” option.

    Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel

  5. Right-click the network adapter and select the Properties option.

  6. Select the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.

  7. Click the Properties button.

    Ethernet1 Properties on Windows 10

  8. Select the “Obtain an IP address automatically” option.

  9. Select the “Obtain the following DNS server address automatically” option.

    Enable dynamic IP address (DHCP) using Control Panel

  10. Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, the statically assigned TCP/IP configuration will no longer be available, and the computer will automatically request a dynamic network configuration from the network.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].