Before you start: which IP do you want to change?
- Your public IP is what websites see. Change it to get around an IP ban, see content from another country, or hide your location. Methods 1 to 6 below change it.
- Your private (local) IP is the address inside your home network. Change it to fix an address conflict or set up port forwarding. See the section at the end.
Write down your current address on the My IP page first, so you can confirm the change afterwards.
1. Restart your router
Most home connections have a dynamic IP, and providers often hand out a new one when your router reconnects.
- Unplug the router (and the modem, if it's separate).
- Wait at least 5 minutes. Some providers keep your old address for hours, so waiting overnight works better.
- Plug it back in and check your IP again.
This is free and takes a few minutes, but it doesn't always work, and the new address will be in the same area and from the same provider.
2. Switch networks
Moving to another network always gives you a different public IP:
- Turn off Wi-Fi on your phone to use mobile data, or the other way around.
- Use your phone as a hotspot for your computer.
- Toggle airplane mode on and off on mobile data. Carriers often assign a new address on reconnect.
3. Use a VPN
A VPN sends your traffic through a server in a location you choose. Websites see the server's IP instead of yours. It's the most practical method when you need an address in another country, want to hide your real location, or need the change to last.
- Pick a reputable paid VPN; free ones are slow and often sell data.
- Connect to a server in the country you want.
- Check the result on the My IP page and run the leak tests there.
A VPN changes your IP for every app on the device at once. It doesn't make you anonymous, but it hides your address from the sites you visit and your browsing from your provider.
4. Use a proxy
A proxy also replaces your IP, but usually only for your browser or one app. Proxies are common for scraping and managing several accounts. Free public proxies are unreliable and often already blacklisted; check one with the IP fraud score before you trust it.
5. Use Tor
The Tor Browser routes your traffic through three volunteer servers and gives you a new IP for each site. It's free and offers strong privacy, but it's slow, and many websites block Tor addresses or show endless CAPTCHAs.
6. Ask your internet provider
Your provider can assign you a new IP address, and many also sell a static IP that never changes. This is the right choice if your address is on a blacklist or you keep getting someone else's ban.
Which method should you use?
| Goal | Best method |
|---|---|
| Get past a temporary ban on a site or game | Restart router, or switch to mobile data |
| Appear in another country | VPN |
| Hide your IP from websites every day | VPN |
| One browser or account with a different IP | Proxy |
| Maximum anonymity | Tor |
| Your IP is blacklisted or flagged | Ask your provider, or use a VPN with dedicated IPs |
Check that your IP really changed
Open the My IP page again. The address, location and provider should be different. If you used a VPN or proxy, also look at the leak checks: if WebRTC, DNS or IPv6 still shows your real network, websites can see through the change. How to check if your VPN is working explains each one.
It also helps to check the new address on the IP fraud score page. VPN and datacenter IPs often get CAPTCHAs or blocks; a residential IP is trusted more. See residential vs datacenter IPs.
How to change your local IP address
On Windows, open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew to ask the router for a new address. To set one yourself, go to Settings > Network & internet, open your network's properties and choose Edit next to IP assignment.
On Mac, open System Settings > Network, click Details next to your network, open TCP/IP, and choose Renew DHCP Lease, or set Configure IPv4 to Manually.
The most reliable way is a DHCP reservation in your router's admin page, so the device always gets the same address.
FAQ
Is it legal to change my IP address?
Yes, in most countries. Restarting your router, using a VPN or using a proxy is legal. What you do with the new address still has to follow the law and the site's terms of service.
Does incognito mode change my IP?
No. Private or incognito mode only stops your browser from saving history and cookies. Websites still see your real IP address.
Why didn't restarting my router change my IP?
Many providers tie your address to your router's hardware address and give it back for hours or days. Leave the router off longer, or use a VPN or mobile data instead.
Can I choose which IP address I get?
Not with a router restart. With a VPN you choose the country and often the city. Only your provider can give you a specific static address.