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Fix a router that will not assign IP

We'll check DHCP settings, restart the router, and confirm device configuration—so the router assigns IPs or we tell you when to call support.

Troubleshooting · Wi‑Fi & networking
10–25 min
What you'll need
  • Router
  • Device that needs an IP
Step 1 of 5

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

Goal: Check DHCP settings and device config so the router assigns IPs.

  • Confirm DHCP is enabled on the router. Verify you should see it in the router settings.
  • Restart the router and the device that needs an IP.
  • Check the DHCP pool has available addresses.
  • Good: The router assigns an IP to the device. Bad: The router still will not assign IP—reset or call support.

DHCP check

Goal: Confirm DHCP is enabled.

  • Log into the router. Find the DHCP or LAN settings. DHCP should be on.
  • Good: DHCP enabled. Bad: DHCP disabled—enable it.

Device check

Goal: Confirm the device is set to obtain IP automatically.

  • On the device, check the network adapter is set to DHCP (obtain IP automatically).
  • Good: Device set to DHCP. Bad: Device has wrong config—fix it.

When to get help

Call the manufacturer if:

  • The router still will not assign IP after checking DHCP and resetting.
  • The router may be faulty.

Verification

  • The device receives an IP from the router.
  • The device has network and internet access.
  • No IP conflict errors.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm DHCP Check DHCP is enabled on the router.
  2. Restart Restart router and device.
  3. Check DHCP range Confirm address pool has available IPs.
  4. Reset router Factory reset the router.
  5. Call support Manufacturer support if all steps fail.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Router model
  • DHCP settings
  • Steps already tried

Is DHCP enabled on the router?

Disabled DHCP means no IP assignment.

Log into the router. Check DHCP is enabled. Good: DHCP on. Bad: DHCP off—enable it.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Enable DHCP

Enable DHCP in the router settings. Restart the device that needs an IP. Check if it gets an address.

Done

Restart router and device

Power-cycle the router (30 seconds), then the device. Good: device gets IP. Bad: still no IP—check DHCP pool or device config.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Device has IP

The router is assigning IPs. The device has network access.

Done

Check DHCP pool and device config

Check the DHCP pool has free addresses. Confirm the device is set to obtain IP automatically. Good: device gets IP. Bad: still no IP—reset router or call support.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

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