It sometimes becomes necessary to manually renew your IP address. If you suddenly realize you do not have an Internet connection, you can often simply right-click the computer icon in the task bar near the clock of your XP desktop (If this icon is present). This will go through a process of resetting your IP address.
But if you do not have this option, you can go to START>RUN and type cmd. At the command line type ipconfig /release (or winipcfg /release in earlier versions of Windows). Then hit ENTER. Next, type ipconfig /renew and you should get a new IP address from the router.
If you have a cable modem, you may want to also renew its IP address. First, go ahead and release the IP address on the PC, then shut the computer down. Next, unplug the cable modem for a couple of minutes, then plug it back in again. Once all of the modem lights are green, power up the PC again. It should automatically renew its IP at boot.
Note: If you have a router, you’ll want to unplug it, as well, then plug it back in AFTER you plug in the modem, but before you power up the PC. The router will need to supply the PC with a new IP address.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I am having this problem, Windows cannot renew my IP address, and I can’t get onto my wireless network. I tried your solution, but when I type in ipconfig/release, I get the message, “No operation can be performed on LAC while it has its media disconnected.”
What does this mean, and what do I do?
Try power-cycling your entire system. Shut down the PC, unplug the router, then unplug the modem. Plug and turn everything back on in reverse order…waiting a few minutes between each.
If you’re still having problems, you might need to reinstall the drivers on your Network adapter.
I received the same message, “No operation can be performed on LAC while it has its media disconnected.” so I will have to reinstall the drivers. Is there a location that provides the instructions on how to do this?
Do you have a wireless as well as a wired network connection on the PC? That message basically means that your network connection is unplugged (for a wired network connection the cable isnt plugged in). Most PC’s nowadays come with a wired connection and also if it is a Laptop and you have wireless built in, chances are you also have a wired connection as well. That message is probably referring to your wired connection and not the wireless part and so is normal to receive if you are using wireless and dont have a wired connection.
I would try what Dave has mentioned about power cycling your equipment.
When I try to renew it says unable to contact the dhcp server. What does that mean?
This eans the computer cannot get an IP address from the router. You should directly connect to the router and try and login and make sure it is setup as a DHCP server.
When i do this it just gives me the same ip address over and over again. I’ve tried it multiple times but it doesnt change. Is there any other way to get a different ip address?
If the IP address is local to your LAN, such as 192.168.1.2 then that’s fine. The router is giving you the first one it knows is available. But you can edit the TCP/IP properties of the network card and assign it a “static” IP address.
I am having the same issue. I tried releasing and renewing the IP address and then I get the “no operation … ” message. The strange thing is that it will then momentarily look like I’m connected to the wireless network and then before I can even get a page to load I get the red X that says I’m not connected.
I’m working on a laptop and I’ve never had issues before so I’m so frustrated. For years I’ve used a broadband card but when I visited family I’d connect to their wireless at home. I recently moved into a new apartment where everything is wireless and that’s when the issue started. I wouldn’t care except the apartment is a blackhole for both my cell phone and broadband card and everything moves at a snail’s pace. My roommate has connected to the wireless no problem.
Any ideas or suggestions? Is it a conflict with my broadband card?