As indicated by the terms, Static IP Address remains permanently assigned to the device or network and a Dynamic type of IP Address keeps periodically changing via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) assignment.
Hence, understanding the type of IP address (Dynamic or Static) being used by your Windows computer or MacBook can be important for configuring network settings, accessing shared devices, troubleshooting connectivity issues and ensuring compatibility with Remote Access and other network-depended applications/services.
Is My IP Address Static or Dynamic?
The exact answer to this question depends on whether you are trying to find the type of IP address assigned to your Home/Office Network by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the type of IP address being used by your Windows computer or MacBook.
- Home Wi-Fi/Ethernet: Most likely Dynamic; as this type of IP address is inexpensive and most Internet Service Providers (ISP) are known to provide dynamic or changing type of IP address.
- Office Wi-Fi/Ethernet: Depends on the type of business; static or fixed type of IP address is preferred by businesses that require reliable remote access.
- Computer or Device IP Address: Most likely Dynamic; as the default setting in Windows & macOS is to obtain a dynamic IP Address from the Router. However, both Windows computers and MacBook’s can be manually configured to use a fixed or static type of IP address.
Important: While a static or fixed type of IP address can be trusted to remain stable, it can change if the router is reset, the ISP moves customers to backup equipment during maintenance and other reasons that end up changing the network configurations.
With this general or broad-based understanding, let us go ahead and confirm whether the IP Address being used by your Windows computer or MacBook is Static or Dynamic type.
Related: Difference Between Static and Dynamic IP Address.
1. Check If Computer is Using Static or Dynamic IP Address
You can check and confirm; whether your Windows computer is using a static or dynamic type of IP address by using Command Prompt.
1. Type CMD in the Search bar > right-click on Command Prompt App in the search results and select Run as Administrator option.
2. When prompted, enter your Admin Password to open Command Prompt As Admin.
3. On the Command Prompt screen, type ipconfig /all and press the Enter key on the keyboard of your computer to run this command.
4. Once the command is executed, scroll down to Wireless Lan Adapter Wi-Fi or Ethernet (as applicable) and read the entry next to DHCP Enabled line.
If the entry next to DHCP Enabled is Yes, the computer is configured to obtain its IP address automatically from the DHCP server; which means it is using a Dynamic or changing type of IP Address.
If the entry next to DHCP Enabled is No, the computer is not configured to obtain its IP address automatically from the DHCP server and it is using a manually configured Static or fixed type of IP address.
2. Check If IP Static or Dynamic Using Settings
You can also make use of the Settings menu on a Windows computer to check and confirm; whether it is using a Static or Dynamic type of IP Address.
1. Press Win + I keys to open the Settings menu on your computer.
2. Select Network & Internet in the left-pane and click on Properties tab for the active Network (Wi-Fi/Ethernet) on your computer.
3. On Network Properties screen, scroll down and take a look at the entry next IP Assignment.
As you can see in above image, the entry next to IP Assignment reads Automatic (DHCP); which indicates that a Dynamic or changing type of IP Address has been assigned to this computer.
3. Check If IP Static or Dynamic on Mac
If you are using a MacBook, you can check if it is using a Dynamic or Static type of IP Address by using the following steps.
1. Click on Apple Logo in the top-menu bar and select System Settings in the drop-down menu.
2. On System Settings screen, select Wi-Fi in the left-pane and click on Details button for the active network on your MacBook.
3. On the next screen, select TCP/IP in the left-pane and take a look at the entry next to Configure IPV4 entry in the right-pane.
If Configure IPv4 entry is set to DHCP, your MacBook is using a Dynamic IP Address and if it is set to Static; it has been manually configured to use a Static or fixed type of IP Address.