How to Fix an IP Address Conflict With Another System

An IP address conflict can just simply happen. You can’t control the behavior of the router and other network computers. But, here is what to do to fix an IP address conflict with another system.

Did You Know?

Just like the address system used in our world, computers in a network also have a unique address, called an IP address. No two computers can have the same IP address.

In computer networks, every computer is assigned a unique IP address. If a single IP address is assigned to more than one computer in a network, then that computer is unable to communicate with other systems in the network, and an IP address conflict is said to occur. Read this Techspirited article to know how to fix an IP address conflict with another system in a network.

What leads to an IP address conflict?

The main causes of this issue are:

• An error in the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) of the router can lead to the assignment of a single IP address to more than one computer system in the network.

• It might also occur if a network administrator assigns an IP address to more than one computer in a network, carelessly.

• An IP address conflict issue can also occur if the statically-assigned IP address is in the range of IP address set to be assigned automatically (using DHCP).

Steps for fixing an IP address conflict issue

There are 2 methods to resolve this issue. Method #1 is very easy to follow and will fix this issue in 3 short steps. Method #2 is for those who need to have a static IP address for their computer, or for those who want an IP address of their choice!

Method #1 (Recommended)

1. Click on Start button, search for “cmd”, right click on it and select “Run as administrator”. Click “Continue” on User Account Control dialog box (if it appears). The Command Prompt (a black window) will open.

2. Type “ipconfig /release” (of course, without the double quotes), and press Enter. Some lines of text will flash on your screen, just like the movies.

3. Now enter the “ipconfig /renew” command. Voila! You’ve fixed the IP address conflict issue.

Note: Type the commands as they are. Even a minor typing error will render them ineffective.

Method #2 (I’m special)

If you don’t know what a static IP address is, then you don’t need to follow this method.

You will need to enter your network configuration details in this process. Follow the below steps to dig it out:

1. Go to “cmd” using the Step 1 of Method #1.

2. Enter “ipconfig /all”.

3. Note down the configuration (IPv4 Address, Default Gateway, DNS Servers) of your network adapter (Ethernet or Wireless). It is Ethernet in my case. Note down the pattern of your current IP address.

My network uses Class C addresses. It is like 192.168.0.x. You can change x to any number you like between 1 to 254. Exclude the number in location of x in the IP address of your gateway.

Let’s find out your V.I.P. IP address.

a. Open “cmd” as explained in the above steps.

b. Type ping followed by the pattern of IP addresses used by your network. I have pinged to 192.168.0.37.

c. If you get a response, it means that some system already has that IP address in your network. Replace x with another number and try again.

d. On another try, I got lucky because I did not get any reply when I pinged to 192.168.0.71. I got a message “Destination host unreachable” instead. Try different values for “x” until you get this message.

e. An address which gets the “Destination host unreachable” message is your desired address.

Now, let’s configure your Network:

1. Open Network Connections by entering “ncpa.cpl” into the “Run” menu.

2. Double-click on your network adapter.

3. A “Local Area Connection Status” windows will open. Click on “Properties” at the bottom left portion. Click on “Continue” in the User Account Control Dialog box.