Oct 03, 2022
10 min read
Sometimes, you might want to find out what your router IP address is. Here’s how to find your router IP in a few simple steps, no matter what device you use.
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An IP address is like a device’s identification tag. IP addresses allow data packets sent online to find their intended recipients. A default gateway IP address is an IP address that belongs to your network's entry node. Since your router is most likely the entry node to your wireless network, your router IP and default gateway IP are the same thing. It is also called a private IP address.
IP stands for internet protocol, and though it acts as a kind of name tag for your network, it shouldn't be confused with a network name. Your router's IP is a way for other networks and servers on the internet to communicate with it: a network name is the name that displays when you're trying to connect a device to it. You can usually change your network name quite easily.
How do private and public IP addresses not get mixed up? The Internet Assigned Number Authority reserved some IPv4 address ranges to be used only for private networks. If you're wondering, “What is my default gateway IP address?”, chances are it's one of these:
| Private IP address ranges |
|---|
| 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 |
| 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 |
| 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 |
So how do you find an IP address? The simplest way to find the IP address of a router is to look for a sticker on the back of it. However, it’s possible there won’t be one, so you’ll have to use one of your connected devices to look it up.
All devices connected to the same network send their requests to the router by default. Different devices will have different ways of identifying the router’s IP address. Windows computers call it the “default gateway,” while iOS devices store your router’s IP address under “router.”
Once you find the default IP for your router, you can simply enter it into your web browser’s address bar to access your router’s web interface.
Remember, you can also change the public IP address that is linked to you online by using a VPN. This will shield your real IP address from the websites you visit, enhancing your overall privacy. You can actually set up a VPN on your router, but to do so you will need to access the web-based router configuration page, using your router’s IP address.
This technique is a simple way to find your default gateway address. Open command prompt by typing cmd. In the black window that pops up, type ipconfig. Once you see the results, scan through until you see default gateway address. Here are some visualized instructions to make it easier.
1. Type CMD in your search bar and select Command Prompt;
2. Type ipconfig;
3. You should see your router’s IP address under Default Gateway.
You can also find your router's IP address through the Control Panel.
1. Type Control Panel in your search bar and click on the Control Panel icon;
2. Click View network status and tasks under Network and Internet;
3. Click on your network name, which you should see next to Connections;
4. A new window will pop up. Click on Details;
5. You should see your local IP address under IPv4 Default Gateway.
You'll be able to do this easily though your system preferences.
1. Go to Settings and tap Network & internet;
2. Tap on Wi-Fi. Find the wireless network you are connected to and tap and hold on it or click on the settings icon to manage its settings;
3. Tap on the Advanced dropdown. If it offers you options for Static or Dynamic IPs, select Static;
4. Either way, you should now see your router's IP address listed under Gateway.
1. Click on the Apple icon at the top of your screen and go to System Preferences;
2. Select Network;
3. On the left-hand side, you should see the wireless network you are connected to. Select it and click Advanced;
4. Select the TCP/IP tab. You should see your router’s IP address listed under Router.
No, a simple reset will not change your router’s IP address. Your internet service provider will remember the device, and you will get the same public IP address. However, if you turn it off and keep it off for a couple of minutes, it will most likely reassign you a new one. For better results with changing your public IP address, try keeping it off overnight.
If you want to access the internet with a new IP address, try using a VPN. A VPN will shield your IP address from the websites you access, as well as boosting your online security. You can configure your router to send and receive all traffic through a VPN server, which is an easy way to change your router's visible IP address temporarily. As well as improving privacy, having your router configured for a VPN makes your data safer while in transit.
Your router also has a public (external) IP, which is what devices from networks other than your own see. The easiest way to find your public IP address is to ask a website. By checking your IP address in a dedicated IP checker, you should be able to see if it’s public or not.
Alternatively, if you followed our instructions above and found your router’s IP address, you can go to the router’s administration page. Just paste the IP into your browser’s address bar and hit Enter. It will take you to the administration page, and you’ll find the router’s public IP address there along with some other information about your internet connection.
The benefits gained from implementing a VPN with your router can’t be ignored. Once a VPN has been set up, every device that connects to the router will gain its online privacy benefits.
A VPN-enhanced router can also prevent Wi-Fi poachers, swindlers who will try to piggyback off your wireless network without permission. And once the VPN is set up, you no longer need to remember to activate the VPN app before browsing — it’s always on.
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