How to Find Your IP Address in Windows 11
So, I finally figured out how to see my IP without pulling my hair out — after stumbling around for a bit. If you’re like me trying to troubleshoot network issues or just curious about your device’s address on your local network, there are a few ways to get that info. Honestly, finding your local IP is straightforward once you know where to look, but Windows often hides it in places that aren’t obvious until you dig a little. I’ll walk through what worked for me, including the more hidden options. Spoiler: sometimes it’s not where you’d expect it to be, especially with different network setups or BIOS menus.
Checking Your Local IP Address via Network Settings
This was the first thing I tried, and honestly, it’s probably the most “standard” way to do it. Basically, in Windows 11, your local IP is the address your router assigns your device inside your home network. To find it, open Settings. The quickest way? Hit Windows + I. Sometimes, if the timing’s off, the Settings window flickers or doesn’t open immediately, but just try again a couple of times. It’s finicky, like Windows is testing your patience.
Once in Settings, go to Network & Internet. Sounds broad, but it’s where all the network info lives. If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, click on Wi-Fi. If you’re wired in through Ethernet, then go to Ethernet. Sometimes both are on one page, depending on your connection type. I’ve seen some BIOS options that default to a “disabled” or grayed-out menu for network cards, especially on OEM machines, so if you don’t see much here, check if your network hardware is enabled in Device Manager or BIOS itself.
In the Wi-Fi section, click on Show available networks. That’s not just for finding a different network — it’s also where Windows sometimes displays details about your current connection when you select the network marked “Connected.” Then, hit Properties. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address. That’s your local IP — usually a number like 192.168.1.10. It’s dynamic most of the time, assigned by your router’s DHCP, so it can change after a reboot, which is annoying but normal. If your device has a static IP set, then it stays the same until you change it manually.
Sometimes the network icon in the system tray (bottom right) has a shortcut so you can get quickly to network details without navigating through Settings. Just right-click and select Network & Internet Settings. It’s a bit faster if you’re switching between multiple devices or troubleshooting multiple setups.
This approach works well, but I get it — it feels a little clunky if all you want is the IP. Still, it’s reliable, and seeing the info visually makes troubleshooting easier. Especially if you want to verify your current network connection or check for IP conflicts, this method is solid.
Finding Your IP with Command Prompt — The Old Reliable
This was my personal favorite for quick info. Nothing beats just opening a terminal window and typing ipconfig. To do that, right-click the Start menu (or press Windows + X), then select Windows Terminal (Admin), or if you prefer the classic, Command Prompt (Admin). If any warning pops up about permissions, just give it the OK — most commands need admin rights to show everything. If not, just run it normally, but sometimes ipconfig /all gives extra details that you might find handy, like MAC addresses or DHCP info, which can help in tricky setups.
Once in the command line, type:
ipconfigHit Enter, and all the network info appears. The key part is the IPv4 Address. It’s usually a familiar format: 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x, indicating your device’s address within your LAN. If you’re troubleshooting or need to set up port forwarding, that’s often what you need. Keep in mind, this IP is your device’s local address — not what the internet sees, which is a whole other thing.
If you want even more info, just run ipconfig /all. It’s cluttered but can be helpful if you’re comparing network details, especially when hardware or IP lease times are involved. I’ve had to check MAC addresses or DHCP lease info, and this command has been a lifesaver.
Understanding Why Your Local IP Changes
Most of the time, your IP changes because of DHCP — that’s the software in your router that assigns IPs dynamically. So, after every restart, you might see a different number. That’s normal, and for most home users, it’s fine. If there’s a reason to keep the same IP (like port forwarding or local server hosting), you’ll need to set a static IP. That’s a whole other configuration involving your network adapter properties or your router’s admin page. Just beware that changing IPs without setting a static address can lead to confusion or IP conflicts inside your network.
Quick note about external/public IP
What I’m describing here is your local IP — the one assigned by your router to your device. If you actually want to know what IP address websites see when you browse (your public IP), then you need to check somewhere like whatismyip.com or run curl ifconfig.me in PowerShell or another terminal. Otherwise, the local IP from the above methods doesn’t tell the outside world anything about your connection. Also, your ISP often shares one external IP among multiple customers if you don’t pay extra for a static one, and it can change periodically without notice, too.
In Summary
So yeah, finding your IP in Windows 11 isn’t supposed to be rocket science, but sometimes Windows or BIOS settings can make things confusing. The Settings app is a good starting point but can get clunky; command-line tools like ipconfig are quick and reliable once you get used to them. And don’t forget about dynamic IPs — they’re normal, and if you need a steady address, setting a static one is the way to go.
Hope this helps — it took me way too long to figure it all out the first time around. And if you’re just trying to find your external IP, remember to hit a site like whatismyip.com — no need to overcomplicate. Anyway, good luck troubleshooting, and hopefully this saves someone else a weekend!