What is a default gateway, and how can you find its address?
8 min read
The default gateway is the access point between your home network and the rest of the internet. It facilitates a smooth internet experience, but people often forget how important the default gateway and its role in configuring the effective network security measures is. In this article, we explore what a default gateway is and how to find your default gateway address on various operating systems.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What is a local network?
Throughout this post, we’ll discuss the default gateway and its role in your “local network.” But what is a local network?
In this instance, we use the term to refer to a Wi-fi hotspot and all the devices connected to it. Whether in your home, at the office, or in a public space like a café, most networks consist of one router (the source of the Wi-fi) and various phones, laptops, or IoT devices.
A great example is that of the home network. The router in your house or apartment forms a network with connected devices, from your game console to your smartphone. Devices on the same network can communicate and share data easily. When you’re casting a movie from your laptop to your TV screen, it works because both pieces of hardware are using the same Wi-fi connection.
What exactly is a default gateway?
A default gateway is a piece of hardware that sits between a user’s home network and the rest of the internet. In most local networks, the default gateway is the Wi-Fi router. It allows a user to access servers and devices outside of their network — all the traffic they send and receive goes through it. Without a default gateway, browsing the internet would be a much more laborious effort.
A default gateway can also work as an intermediary between devices that connect via a shared subnet. They also direct user requests to their intended destination, despite the sender and receiver having different network protocols.
What is a default gateway address?
Your default gateway address will usually be your router’s IP address. That’s right — your Wi-fi router has its own unique IP tag. This identifying code allows information to reach your network, and it’s worth knowing how to find it for yourself.
Knowing how to find your default gateway address can help when you’re troubleshooting or setting up smart devices and IoT hardware around the home. It is also useful to know your default gateway address if you want to manage your router settings.
You can find your default gateway address through a computer or on your phone. Whether you’re using macOS, Windows, iOS, or Android, here’s everything you need to know.
How to find your default gateway
Finding your default gateway address is simple if you know where to look. Depending on your operating system (OS), the default gateway address can “hide” in different locations of your system settings.
How to find your default gateway address on Windows
You can find your default gateway address on your Windows computer in two ways — either using Command Prompt or Control Panel. Follow these steps to find your default gateway IP address using Command Prompt:
- Press the “Win + R” keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type in “cmd” and click “OK.”
- In the “Command Prompt” window, type in “ipconfig” and hit the “Enter” key.
- Your default gateway IP address will appear in the line labeled “Default gateway.”
Here is how you can find your default gateway address using the Control Panel:
- Search for “Control Panel” through the Windows search box and click on the “Control Panel” tab.
- Find “Network and internet” and click on “View network status and tasks.”
- Click on your network name next to “Connections.”
- Click on “Details.”
- The IP address will be listed beside “IPv4 default gateway.”
How to find your default gateway address on macOS
- Open the Apple menu, and click “System preferences.”
- Click “Network,” then select the network to which you’re connected.
- Click “Details.”
- Open the “TCP/IP” tab, your default gateway address will appear beside “Router.”
How to find your default gateway address on Android
- Select “Settings” and “Connections.”
- Select “Wi-Fi.”
- Select your network connection.
- Click “View more” to open the drop-down menu.
- Change your IP setting from “DHCP” to “Static.”
- Your default gateway IP address will appear under “Gateway.”
How to find your default gateway address on iOS
- Go to your Settings and select “Wi-Fi.”
- Select the “i,” which appears beside the network connection.
- Your default gateway address will appear under “Router.”
How to troubleshoot default gateway connectivity issues
If you encounter a slow internet connection, network errors, or an inability to access the internet, troubleshooting your default gateway connection can be helpful. First, check your IP configuration (the default gateway address) to see if the setup is correct. If that doesn’t work, reviewing your firewall settings and physical connections, along with resetting your router, can also help solve the most common default gateway connectivity issues. Finally, if connectivity troubles persist, consider seeking help from IT professionals.
Locking the gate: How to secure your network
As your default gateway, a router can give hackers and cybercriminals access to the entire local network. An unsecured router is a prime target and can easily be manipulated to expose your private data.
But there’s good news too. You can actually install a VPN directly onto your router, securing your default gateway and your IP address. When you protect that crucial access point, you protect any device connected to it. NordVPN can encrypt the data on your local network, so even if your default gateway is hacked, no information will be compromised.
By installing a VPN on your router, you’re strengthening the security of your Wi-Fi network in your home or office. A default gateway is the link between your devices and the wider world: guard it with NordVPN.