How to remove static IP address on Windows 11

These are the four ways to switch to a dynamic IP configuration on Windows 11.

Windows 11 enable DHCP
Windows 11 enable DHCP

On Windows 11, it’s possible to remove a static IP address and switch to a dynamic network configuration in multiple ways, including using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and PowerShell. In this guide, you will learn how.

A static TCP/IP address is a recommended configuration for computers offering network services (for example, printers, files, and apps) to prevent communication problems. However, if you don’t need this configuration anymore, you can switch to the dynamic network configuration assigned by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server (usually the router).

This guide will teach you how to remove a static IP address configuration to obtain a dynamic address on Windows 11.

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Settings

To remove a static IP address to request a dynamic IP configuration on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Network & Internet.

  3. Click on Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

  4. Click the Edit button for the “IP assignment” setting.

    Edit IP settings

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

    Enable automatic IP settings

  6. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the networking stack configuration will reset, and the computer will request a dynamic IP address from the DHCP server.

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Command Prompt

To switch from a static TCP/IP configuration to a dynamically assigned configuration from 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

    ipconfig command

  4. Type the following command to configure the network adapter to request a dynamic TCP/IP on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet0" dhcp

    In the command, change “Ethernet0” to the adapter’s name to configure.

    netch switch to dynamic IP

After you complete the steps, the network adapter will drop the static settings and request a dynamic address from the DHCP server.

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from PowerShell

To remove a static IP to use a dynamic configuration with PowerShell commands on Windows 11, 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 Windows 11 network adapter and press Enter:

    Get-NetIPConfiguration

    Get-NetIPConfiguration

  4. Type the following command to switch and obtain a dynamic IP on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    Get-NetAdapter -Name Ethernet0 | Set-NetIPInterface -Dhcp Enabled

    In the command, change “Ethernet0” to 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 11 -ResetServerAddresses

    In the command, change 11 for the InterfaceIndex for the adapter to configure.

    PowerShell enable dynamic IP

Once you complete the steps, the computer will switch from a static IP to a dynamic IP configuration.

Configure 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. Click the “Change adapter settings” option in the left pane.

    Control Panel open adapter settings

  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.

    Open properties for IPv4 settings

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

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

    Control Panel enable DHCP address

  10. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the Windows 11 statically assigned TCP/IP configuration will be removed, and it’ll request a dynamic configuration automatically 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 14 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 20 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.