Windows 7, 8 and 10

• Click the Start button.
  
  
• There will be a search bar at the bottom that says Start Search.
  
  
• Type command or cmd in the search bar and press enter.
  
  
• The Dos Prompt window should open.
  
  
• Type ipconfig at the prompt.
  
  
• Check for a valid IP address (listed as IPv4 Address).
  
  
• Type ipconfig /release and press enter.
  
  
  • An error may come up that says "The requested operation requires elevation."  This means that only the administrator can release the IP address.
    
    
  • Have the user click Start.
    
    
  • Click All Programs.
    
    
  • Click Accessories.
    
    
  • Right Click, Command Prompt.
    
    
  • Click Run as Administrator.
    
    
  • A box will come up asking for permissions, click Yes.
    
    
  • Type ipconfig /release again at the prompt and press Enter.
    
    
• Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
  
  
• Check for a valid IP address.
  
  
  • If the user gets the error "The operation failed as no adapter is in the state permissible for this operation", it means they have a static IP address. Check their TCP/IP settings.

 

Note: If this method for finding an IP address does not work, use this optional method:

• Go to Control Panel, then Network and Internet, and then Network and Sharing Center.
  
  
• On the left side menu select Change Adapter Settings.
  
  
• Right Click on Local Area Connection or Wireless Area Connection and select Status.
  
  
• Click on the Details button.

• Click the Apple button.
  
  
• Click on System Preferences.
  
  
• Click the Network icon (Under the Internet and Network subtitle).
  
  
• Select Ethernet from the options in the menu on the left side of the window, or for wireless problems, select Airport or Wi-Fi from the same list on the left.
   
• Click on the TCP/IP tab (on Mac OS 10.4 and older) or Advanced button (on Mac OS 10.5 and newer).
  
  
• Select Using DHCP in the Configure IPv4 field.
  
  
• Check for a valid IP Address.
  
  
• Click Renew DHCP Lease to get a new address.
  
  
• If the boxes are grayed out and will not allow changes, check in the bottom left of the window to see if they have been locked. To unlock this, click on the lock and it may have the user re-enter their computer user name/password.

 

Note: If problems continue:

• While looking at the Network preferences (under System Preferences), remove the offending network (Airport, Ethernet, etc.) by pressing the minus (-) button in the left pane and press apply, then re-add the network and check for a valid IP Address.

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