How To Find Your IP Address On A Windows 11/10 PC

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Knowing your IP address can help you troubleshoot internet issues, set up a printer or router, configure remote access, or confirm whether you’re connected to the right network. On Windows 11/10, you can find your IP address in multiple ways—through Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, PowerShell, and even your browser (for public IP).

Before we start, here’s the key thing:

  • Private (Local) IP address: Assigned by your router to your PC (usually looks like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x). Used inside your home/office network.

  • Public IP address: The IP your internet provider shows to the outside world. Websites and online services “see” this IP.

This guide covers Windows 11 and Windows 10, with every method explained step-by-step.

Method 1: Find IP Address Using Windows Settings (Easiest)

On Windows 11

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings

  2. Go to Network & internet

  3. Click your connection type:

    • Wi-Fi (if you’re on wireless)

    • Ethernet (if you’re on cable)

  4. Select the connected network (Wi-Fi name or Ethernet)

  5. Scroll down to IP assignment and Properties

  6. Look for:

    • IPv4 address (most common)

    • IPv6 address (optional / modern networks)

On Windows 10

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings

  2. Click Network & Internet

  3. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet from the left sidebar

  4. Click the connected network

  5. Scroll to Properties

  6. Find IPv4 address and IPv6 address

Tip: If you see multiple network adapters, make sure you’re checking the one that says Connected.

Method 2: Find IP Address from Network Status (Quick View)

Windows 11

  1. Right-click the Start button

  2. Click Settings

  3. Go to Network & internet

  4. Open Advanced network settings

  5. Click Hardware and connection properties

  6. Find your active adapter and look for:

    • IPv4 address

    • Default gateway (your router IP)

Windows 10

  1. Right-click the network icon (Wi-Fi/PC icon) in the taskbar

  2. Click Open Network & Internet settings

  3. Click Status

  4. Click Properties

  5. Scroll down to see IPv4 address

Method 3: Find IP Address Using Control Panel (Classic Windows Way)

  1. Press Windows + R, type control, then press Enter

  2. Go to Network and Internet

  3. Click Network and Sharing Center

  4. Next to Connections, click:

    • Wi-Fi (wireless) OR

    • Ethernet (wired)

  5. In the pop-up window, click Details

  6. Look for:

    • IPv4 Address

    • IPv6 Address

    • Default Gateway (router IP)

This is one of the most reliable methods when Settings feels confusing.

Method 4: Use Command Prompt (ipconfig) — Fast & Accurate

  1. Press Windows + R

  2. Type cmd and press Enter

  3. Type the command below and press Enter:

    ipconfig

  4. Find your active adapter section:

    • Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi

    • Ethernet adapter Ethernet

  5. Look for:

    • IPv4 Address → your local IP

    • Default Gateway → your router IP

Need more details? Use:

ipconfig /all

This shows DNS servers, MAC address, DHCP details, and more.

Method 5: Use PowerShell (More Modern Than CMD)

  1. Right-click Start

  2. Select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell

  3. Run this command:

    ipconfig

    (Yes, it works here too.)

Or use a PowerShell-only command:

Get-NetIPAddress

If you see lots of results, look for:

  • AddressFamily: IPv4

  • The adapter that matches your current connection (Wi-Fi/Ethernet)

Method 6: Find Your Public IP Address (What Websites See)

Your public IP is different from your local IP.

Option A: Use Google Search

  1. Open your browser (Chrome/Edge/Firefox)

  2. Search:

    • what is my ip

  3. Google typically shows your public IP at the top.

Option B: Check Your Router (More Accurate for Networks)

If multiple devices share the same internet connection, your public IP is usually shown in the router dashboard:

  1. Open a browser

  2. Go to your router (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)

  3. Log in

  4. Look for WAN IP, Internet IP, or Public IP

Method 7: Find IP Address Using Task Manager (Hidden but Handy)

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

  2. Click More details (if you see a simple view)

  3. Go to the Performance tab

  4. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet

  5. Look for IPv4 address on the right side

This is great when you want a quick check without digging through settings.

Method 8: Find IP Address Using System Information (Advanced)

  1. Press Windows + R

  2. Type:

    msinfo32

  3. Press Enter

  4. Go to:
    Components → Network → Adapter

  5. Choose the active adapter and find your IP values (may take a moment to load)

IPv4 vs IPv6: Which One Do You Need?

  • IPv4: Most common; used for most router setups and troubleshooting.

  • IPv6: Newer standard; used by modern ISPs and networks.

If a game/server/app asks for an IP, it usually means IPv4, unless it specifically says IPv6.

Common Problems: Why You Might Not See an IP Address

You see 169.254.x.x

This usually means Windows couldn’t get an IP from your router (DHCP issue). Fixes:

  • Restart router and PC

  • Reconnect Wi-Fi

  • Run CMD as Admin and try:

    ipconfig /release
    ipconfig /renew

You see multiple IPv4 addresses

You may have:

  • A VPN connected

  • A virtual adapter (VirtualBox, VMware)

  • Multiple network interfaces

Check the adapter that says Connected and matches your active network.

FAQ

Can my IP address change?

Yes. Most home networks use dynamic IPs, so your public IP can change after router restarts or over time. Your local IP can also change if DHCP reassigns it.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP isn’t ideal publicly. It can expose your approximate region and can be targeted for nuisance attacks. Sharing your local IP is usually harmless outside your network.

What is the “Default Gateway”?

That’s your router’s IP address (the address your PC uses to reach the internet).

Conclusion

To find your IP address on Windows 11/10, the simplest option is Settings → Network & internet → Properties. For accuracy and troubleshooting, Command Prompt (ipconfig) is the best. And if you need the IP websites see, you’re looking for your public IP, which you can check via a browser search or your router’s WAN page.

If you want, tell me whether you need local IPv4 or public IP, and whether you’re on Wi-Fi or Ethernet—I’ll point you to the fastest method for your exact case.

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