Windows 10 is currently the best and latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. While it is quite stable and works for most of the hardware configurations available in the market there are times when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Windows has detected an IP address conflict error.
Before performing the recommended troubleshooting steps for this particular problem I suggest that you try restarting your computer and router first. This will refresh the operating system as well as remove corrupt temporary data and is quite effective in fixing most software related issues.
How To Fix Windows Has Detected An IP Address Conflict
Try to renew the IP address
The first thing you will need to do in this case is to try to get a new IP address for your computer as it might have the same IP address with another device connected to the network.
- Type cmd in the search bar then right click on the Command Prompt app and choose Run as Administrator.
- Type the following in the command prompt window.
- Type netsh int ip reset then press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /release then press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /renew then press Enter.
Check if the IP address conflict issue still occurs.
Make sure you don’t have a static IP address
While using a static IP address makes it easy for the computer to be searched on a network sometimes this can cause problems especially if the router assigns the same IP address to another device on the network. You should make sure that your computer is srt for a dynamic IP address system.
- Press Windows Key + X and choose Network Connections from the menu
- Locate your connection on the list, right click it and choose Properties from the menu
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
- Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically options are checked. Click the OK button to save changes.
- Restart your computer.
Check if the Windows IP address error still occurs.
Disable IPv6
Sometimes having the IPv6 enabled on the computer can cause this problem which is why you should try to disable this protocol.
- Press Windows Key + X and choose Network Connections from the menu
- Locate your connection on the list, right click it and choose Properties from the menu
- List of options will appear. Locate Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and uncheck it. Now click OK to save changes.
Try to check if the problem still occurs.
You should also consider disabling the IPv6 protocol for all of your computer network adapters.
- Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
- When Registry Editor opens, in the left pane navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters key.
- In the right pane, look for DisableComponent DWORD. If this DWORD isn’t available, you’ll need to create it. To do that, right click the empty space in the right pane and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Enter DisableComponent as the name of the new DWORD.
- Double click the new DisableComponent DWORD to open its properties. Change Value data to 0ffffffff and click OK to save changes.
- Close Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer.
Temporarily disconnect your Ethernet cable or disable the wireless adapter
If you experience this problem while trying to get a new IP address then you should try to disconnect the ethernet cable for a minute then reconnect it. If you are using a wireless connection you should disable the wireless adapter.
- Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list
- Go to the Network adapters section and locate your Wi-Fi adapter. Right click it and choose Disable from the menu.
- After disabling your network adapter wait for a minute.
- Right click the adapter again and choose Enable from the menu.
Try checking if the Windows has detected an IP address conflict issue still occurs.
Disconnect all devices connected to the router then restart the router
Since your computer is having an IP address conflict with another device on the network then you should try disconnecting or turn off all devices that are connected to the network. Restart the router by unplugging it from the power outlet for a minute. Once the router has started you should only try to connect your computer to it.
Try checking if the IP address conflict still occurs. If it doesn’t then it’s time to connect the other devices to the network.