Troubleshooting: Why “My Internet IP” Keeps Changing

How to Find Your Internet IP Address (Step‑by‑Step)Your Internet IP address is the numeric label assigned to your device or network that allows it to communicate with other devices on the internet. Knowing your IP address is useful for troubleshooting network problems, configuring remote access, checking location-related services, or adjusting firewall and router settings. This guide explains what an IP address is, the difference between public and private addresses, and gives clear, step‑by‑step methods to find your IP on different devices and platforms.

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Public vs. Private IP: the quick distinction

• Public IP: The address your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns to your home or office network — visible to websites and remote servers.
• Private IP: The address assigned to a device on your local network (e.g., 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) — used only within your router’s network.

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How to find your public (internet) IP address

Method A — Use a web-based IP lookup (fastest)

1. Open a browser on any device connected to the network.
2. Visit an IP lookup site (search “what is my IP”).
3. The page will display your public IP address immediately.

Notes:

• The result shows the IP that external services see for your network.
• If you’re behind a VPN or proxy, the displayed IP will be that of the VPN/proxy server.

Method B — Use a command-line tool (curl)

• On macOS, Linux, or Windows (PowerShell/CMD with curl installed), run:

  
  curl https://ifconfig.co 

  or

  
  curl https://api.ipify.org 

• The output will be your public IP address in plain text.

Method C — Check your router’s status page

1. Log into your router’s web interface (commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Look for “WAN,” “Internet,” or “Status” — the WAN IP field shows your public IP.

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How to find your private (local) IP address

Windows ⁄₁₁ (GUI)

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet.
2. Click on “Properties” under your active network (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet).
3. Look for “IPv4 address” — that’s your private IP.

Windows (Command Prompt)

1. Open Command Prompt.
2. Type:

   
   ipconfig 

3. Find the network adapter in use and read the “IPv4 Address” line.

macOS (GUI)

1. Open System Settings → Network.
2. Select your active connection (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet).
3. Click “Details” or “Advanced” and look for the IPv4 address.

macOS (Terminal)

ipconfig getifaddr en0   # for Wi‑Fi on many Macs ipconfig getifaddr en1   # for Ethernet or different interface 

Linux (GUI)

• Open Network settings → select the active connection → check IPv4 address.

Linux (Terminal)

ip addr show 

hostname -I 

Look for the address associated with your active interface (commonly eth0 or wlan0).

Android

1. Settings → Network & internet → Wi‑Fi.
2. Tap the connected network.
3. Details will show your IP (may require tapping “Advanced”).

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Settings → Wi‑Fi.
2. Tap the “i” next to the connected Wi‑Fi network.
3. The IP address is shown under “IPV4 Address.”

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IPv4 vs IPv6: what you might see

• IPv4: Most common, written as four numbers (0–255) separated by dots, e.g., 203.0.113.42.
• IPv6: Longer hexadecimal format with colons, e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334.
  Some networks and websites return both; when troubleshooting, note which format you need.

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Common scenarios and tips

• My public IP changes frequently:

  • Many ISPs assign dynamic public IPs that can change when the router reconnects or the DHCP lease expires. Consider requesting a static IP from your ISP if you need a permanent address.

• I see a private IP on a website:

  • Websites cannot see private IPs. If a site shows a private address, you’re likely looking at your device’s local network settings, not your public IP.

• Using a VPN or proxy:

  • Your public IP will be the VPN/proxy server’s IP. Disconnect the VPN to reveal your ISP-assigned public IP.

• Remote access (port forwarding, remote desktop):

  • Use your public IP (or a dynamic DNS hostname) plus router port forwarding to reach services running on devices behind your router.

• Security:

  • Don’t share your IP publicly if you’re concerned about targeted attacks. IP alone rarely exposes sensitive data but can be a component of reconnaissance.

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Quick reference commands

• Public IP:
  • curl https://api.ipify.org
  • curl https://ifconfig.co
• Local IP:
  • Windows: ipconfig
  • macOS Terminal: ipconfig getifaddr en0
  • Linux: ip addr show or hostname -I

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Troubleshooting checklist

• No IP shown on device: restart the router and device; check cabling/Wi‑Fi.
• Conflicting IPs: check for duplicate static addresses; switch to DHCP or change static addresses.
• Can’t reach services remotely: verify public IP, ensure port forwarding and firewall rules are set, and test from an external network.

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Finding your IP is a small, practical step that helps with diagnostics, remote access, and understanding how your device connects to the wider internet. If you want, tell me your operating system and I’ll give the exact menu clicks or commands for your device.