How to Find Your IP Address on Windows 11 Using 2 Easy Methods

How to Find Your IP Address in Windows 11

Finally cracked it! I found out how to see my IP address without pulling my hair out — after a bit of trial and error. If you’re like me, trying to troubleshoot network problems or just curious about your device’s address on your local network, there are a few quick ways to get that info. Honestly, once you know where to look, finding your local IP is pretty straightforward. But Windows tends to hide it in places that aren’t immediately obvious, especially if you’re not used to digging around. I’ll share what worked for me, including some of the less obvious options. Spoiler: sometimes it’s not where you’d expect, especially with different network setups or BIOS menus.

Checking Your Local IP Address Through Network Settings

This was my first go-to, and honestly, it’s probably the most “standard” method. In Windows 11, your local IP is the address your router assigns your device inside your home network. To find it, open Settings. The fastest way? Press Windows + I. Sometimes, if things are timing out, the Settings window flickers or doesn’t open right away, but just give it another shot. Windows can be a bit temperamental.

Once in Settings, navigate to Network & Internet. It sounds broad, but that’s where all your network info lives. If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, click on Wi-Fi. If you’re wired through Ethernet, select Ethernet. Sometimes both are shown on one page, depending on your connection. I’ve seen BIOS options that disable network adapters or grey them out — especially on OEM-built machines. If you don’t see much there, check if your network hardware is enabled in Device Manager or BIOS.

In the Wi-Fi section, click on Show available networks. That’s not just for finding other networks — it’s also where Windows sometimes shows details about your current connection when you select the network marked “Connected.” Then, click Properties. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address. That’s your local IP — usually something like 192.168.1.10. It’s a dynamic address assigned by your router’s DHCP, so it might change after a reboot, which is normal. If you’ve set a static IP, then it stays the same until you change it manually.

The network icon in the taskbar (bottom right) often gives shortcut access, too. Right-click it and select Network & Internet Settings. It’s quicker if you’re juggling multiple devices or troubleshooting several setups.

This method works well, but I get it — sometimes it feels a bit clunky just to find one IP address. Still, it’s reliable, and seeing the info visually makes troubleshooting easier. Perfect for verifying your current connection or checking for IP conflicts, this method is solid.

Finding Your IP Address with Command Prompt — The Classic Approach

This was my go-to for quick info. Nothing beats opening a command prompt and typing ipconfig. To do that, right-click the Start menu (or press Windows + X) and select Windows Terminal (Admin), or the classic Command Prompt (Admin). If prompted with security warnings, just click OK — most commands require admin rights to display all details. If not, run it normally, but for extra info like MAC addresses or DHCP leases, try ipconfig /all.

Type the following and hit Enter:

ipconfig

All your network info appears, with the key detail being the IPv4 Address. It will look familiar: 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x — your device’s address within your local network. If you’re troubleshooting or setting up port forwarding, that’s the address you’ll use. Remember, this IP isn’t visible to the wider internet — just within your local network.

If you need more details, run ipconfig /all. It’s more cluttered, but can help if you need to check MAC addresses or DHCP lease info. I’ve used this when fiddling with network hardware or troubleshooting IP conflicts.

Why Your Local IP Might Change

Most of the time, your IP changes because of DHCP — the system in your router that assigns IPs dynamically. After restarting your device or router, you might see a different number. That’s normal. If you want your device to keep the same IP for things like port forwarding or hosting a local server, you need to set a static IP. This involves changing your network adapter’s settings or your router’s admin page. Just keep in mind: if you don’t assign a static IP, it can lead to confusion or IP conflicts on your network.

Quick note about your external/public IP

This method describes your local IP — the one your router assigns to your device. If you want to know what IP address websites see when you browse (your public IP), you’ll need to check a site like whatismyip.com or run curl ifconfig.me in PowerShell or another terminal. The local IP info won’t tell you anything about your internet connection to the outside world. Remember, your ISP often shares one external IP among multiple users, and it can change periodically without notice, especially if you don’t pay for a static address.

Summary

Finding your IP in Windows 11 shouldn’t be rocket science, but sometimes Windows or BIOS settings make it trickier. The Settings app is a good starting point but can be a bit clunky. Command-line tools like ipconfig are quick and reliable once you get the hang of them. And remember, dynamic IPs are normal — if you want a fixed address, setting a static IP is the way to go.

Hopefully, this helps — it took me ages to figure it all out the first time! And if you’re after your external IP, just visit a site like whatismyip.com. No need to overcomplicate. Good luck with troubleshooting, and I hope this saves someone a weekend!