If you have a Mac that is not working as it should, and you are not sure why, it may be because its IP address has been lost or changed. To renew your Mac’s IP address, follow these steps:
- Open the System Preferences application.
- In the General tab, click on the Networking section and then click on the IPv4 button.
- In the IPv4 field, type in your current Mac’s IP address and then click on the OK button to save your changes.
Renewing your IP address often fixes minor glitches and connectivity issues. Your Mac will ask your DHCP server—often your Wi-Fi router—for a new IP address and connect using either the same one or a new one, depending on the details your router provides.
To find these settings, click the “Apple” icon in the upper-right corner of the menu bar, and select “System Preferences.”
Click “Network” in the System Preferences window.
Choose the appropriate network and click the “Advanced” button. This works with both wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections.
The next screen should default to the Wi-Fi tab. Choose “TCP/IP” instead, just to the right of it.
Click the “Renew DHCP License” button and then click “OK” once the renewal is complete. Clicking this button instructs your Mac to obtain new routing information from the DHCP server.
Resetting this could improve your Mac’s connectivity, especially if you’ve recently changed router settings.
