mac wifi self assigned ip address fix

6 Easy ways to fix self-assigned IP address issue on Mac

macOS users often experience a self-assigned IP address issue that allows the network interface to create an ad-hoc connection if necessary. This means that even though you have working Wi-Fi, the “internet not working” messages will keep popping up.

Your system will create an ad-hoc network only if they find the hardware but have issues communicating with the DHCP server to obtain your IP address. The issue lies within the system’s Firewall configuration problems, and there are many ways to resolve it.

Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to fix the self-assigned IP error on a Mac.

Reset your network preferences on Mac

Renew DHCP lease on macOS

Create a new network location

Reset the firewall on your mac.

Set Service Order from Mac’s Network settings

Change DNS servers on macOS

Delete these files from System Configuration on Mac

After your Mac restarts, you should be able to find the deleted files in your folder.

Renew DHCP Lease on macOS

Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet in Network settings on Mac

Click the Advanced button.

Go to the TCP/IP tab in Advance options on Mac

Find and click the Renew DHCP Lease button next to the IPv4 Address line.

After the lease is renewed, check if you’re able to connect to your network. If that doesn’t help, try creating a New Network Location and renew the lease.

Next to Location click drop-down menu from Mac Network settings

Click Edit Locations.

Try connecting to your network after renewing the lease.

When you try to perform configuration changes to the system, your Mac’s firewall experiences configuration issues. Let’s fix this problem by resetting the firewall.

After your system boots, it’ll ask you to allow access to numerous programs and services. You may choose to allow access to numerous programs and services depending upon your choice. Try connecting to your network then.

Set Service Order from Mac’s network settings

Click the gear icon at the bottom.

Drag services to the top of the list.

If you’re using Wi-Fi, drag and drop Wi-Fi to the top.

Go to the DNS tab from advance Network settings on Mac

If you’re still having self-assigned IP address problems, get in touch with the Apple Support team.

Which one of these methods worked best for you? Let me know in the comments. If none of these methods work, you may need to contact Apple Support .

After much internet searching – these clear, easy directions were a lifesaver. The second suggestion worked perfectly! Thank you!!

Thank you sooooo much !!! I was really struggling to get my Ethernet adapter to connect to my MacBook and I tried the first option and it works now!!!! God bless you and your family.

Thank you soooo much. Resetting the Firewall worked

THANK YOU!!!!! What a PITA this has been. Four hours of struggle, and your post solved the prop in seconds. I could climb through my phone and kiss you I’m so happy! Hero!

Thank you soo muchhh!!! Finally after 3 hours desperated, and you helped me 😭👍

Your directions and explanations were clear, easy to follow, and a perfect translation of technical for a layman.

Thank you very much for this fix tips!

I was ready to completely reboot my whole MPB to its factory settings. What worked best for me was your tip called: Create a new network location.

Thanks again. Remko

What Is A Self Assigned IP Address And How To Fix This Mac Error

If the Wi-Fi on your Network Preferences page shows a Self-Assigned IP Address error, then your Mac cannot establish a working internet connection. This error can be incredibly frustrating and prevent you from doing all the work that’s been piling up. Luckily, it’s straightforward to fix.

A self-assigned IP address is a private address that’s not visible on the internet. So, even if your Wi-Fi works perfectly, your Mac will show an “Internet not working” error. You can fix the issue by resetting your Mac’s network preferences or changing the DNS servers on your macOS.

Mac’s self-assigned IP error prevents your computer from establishing a working internet connection, rendering the Mac essentially useless. Let’s look at a self-assigned IP address and what you can do to fix it.

What is a Self-Assigned IP Address?

Cropped shot view of a women s hands keyboarding on laptop

A self-assigned IP address is essentially a private IP address within three number ranges reserved for the computers or devices in local networks. These private addresses are assigned to the computers in the network by the DHCP server and aren’t visible on the internet.

So, even if you have working Wi-Fi, your Mac will keep showing the “Internet not working” message until you fix the error.

How to Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Error

There are a lot of times when your Mac is given a self-assigned IP address, which prevents the internet from working on the machine. As a result, even if the same Wi-Fi network works perfectly on all your other devices, your Mac will display a “No Internet Connection” error.

Luckily, a self-assigned IP address error on a Mac is extremely easy to fix. You can quickly resolve the issue and get your Mac’s internet working again by simply deleting a few files from the machine.

Reset Your Mac’s Network Preferences

This solution works on all the latest macOS versions, including macOS Mojave and Catalina. Just make sure you log into an administrator account, follow all the steps below, and delete the mentioned files:

Once you successfully reboot your Mac, the self-assigned IP address error should be resolved, and the internet should start working normally. However, if the issue persists, move on to the next solution.

Reset Your Mac’s IP Address

If deleting all the files mentioned above doesn’t fix your Mac’s self-assigned IP address issue, then resetting your Mac’s IP address might help solve the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow:

At this point, the self-assigned IP address error should get resolved, and your internet should properly start working on your Mac again. However, if it doesn’t, then try the next solution.

Change DNS Servers on Your MacOS

Changing the DNS servers on your macOS can also help fix the self-assigned IP address. Here’s what you need to do:

This should fix the self-assigned IP address error. However, if the issue persists, it’s best to contact the Apple Support team.

Meet Kern Campbell, a tech-savvy writer with a passion for consumer electronics and gadgets. With an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems and marketing paired with a Master's in Business Administration, Kern brings a unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and personal experience to his writing.

Since launching his career, Kern has become a go-to source for insightful and informative articles on the latest gadgets and trends in the world of consumer electronics. Whether breaking down the latest smartphone release or diving into the intricacies of smart home technology, Kern approaches each topic with thorough research and a critical eye, ensuring that their readers always get the most accurate and useful information.

With a deep understanding of the constantly evolving world of consumer electronics, Kern is poised to continue bringing his unique perspective and valuable insights to readers for years to come.

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Self-Assigned IP Address Error on Mac: How to Fix?

By: Waseem Patwegar

If Wi-Fi or Ethernet is not working on your MacBook due to “Self-Assigned IP Address” error, you can find below the steps to restore network connectivity on your Mac.

Self-Assigned IP Address on Mac

In a typical case of this nature, the MacBook appears to be connected to the Network (WiFi or Ethernet), but it fails to load webpages and comes up with “Self-Assigned IP” error.

As indicated by the wordings (Self-Assigned IP Address), the reason for this problem is due to your Mac Assigning itself an IP Address that is not valid or not recognized on the network.

Luckily, in most cases the problem of No Internet connectivity due to “Self-Assigned IP Address” can be fixed by rebooting the modem.

1. Power Cycle Modem/Router

Before going ahead with other methods, simply disconnect the Modem/Router from its power supply source > wait for 60 seconds and reconnect the Modem/Router back to its power supply.

After this, you should find internet working properly on your Mac, as it starts using a valid IP Address on both WiFi and Ethernet to connect to the network.

2. Renew DHCP Lease

1. Click on Apple Logo in the top menu-bar and select System Preferences… in the drop-down menu.

2. On System Preferences screen, click on the Network Icon.

Network Option in System Preferences Screen on Mac

3. On Network screen, select your Network ( Ethernet or WiFi ) in the side-menu and click on Advanced .

Advanced Option in Network Settings Screen on Mac

4. On the next screen, switch to TCP/IP tab and click on Renew DHCP Lease button.

5. Click on OK to save the revised settings.

After the DHCP lease is renewed, you should be able to connect to internet

3. Delete PLIST Files

The problem of No Internet on Mac due to Self-assigned IP Address can be fixed by removing certain files related to network connectivity on your computer.

1. Click on the Finder Icon in taskbar > click on the Go tab in top-menu bar and select Go to Folder option in the drop-down menu.

2. In Go-to window, Type /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ and click on the Go button.

Go to /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ Folder on Mac

4. In System Configuration folder, delete the following folders (right-click on the Folders and move them to trash).

Note: Your Mac will automatically recreate above Folders when it restarts.

5. Shutdown the MacBook > Wait for 30 seconds and Restart the Mac again and see if you can now connect to the internet.

4. Set Service Order

Make sure that your MacBook is always connecting to your preferred network type (WiFi or Ethernet).

1. Click on Apple Logo > System Preferences > Network > On the Network screen, click on the Gear icon and select Set Service Order option in the drop-down menu.

Set Service Order Tab on Mac Network Settings Screen

2. On Service Order window, drag your preferred Network (WiFi or Ethermet) to the top position.

3. Once you are done, click on OK to save the changes.

5. Create New Network Location

If you are still unable to connect to Internet, create a New Network Location on your Mac and renew its DCHP lease.

1. Click on Apple Logo > System Preferences > Network > On the Network screen, open the Location menu and select Edit Locations option.

2. On the next screen, click on the Plus icon to Add New Location.

3. On the next screen, type a Name for the New Network Location and click on Done .

4. After creating new location, select either WiFi or Ethernet in the side menu and click on Advanced .

5. On the next screen, switch to TCP/IP tab and click on Renew DHCP Lease .

6. Click on OK to save the new settings.

This should certainly fix “Self-Assigned IP Address problem and restore network connectivity on your Mac.

6. Switch to Google DNS

If your Mac is frequently struggling from Network connectivity issues, the problem might be due to the DNS Servers of your Internet Service provider being busy and clogged up.

To fix this issue, you can consider switching the DNS servers on your Mac to Google DNS or Open DNS.

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How To Fix Internet Not Working Due To Self-Assigned IP Address Issue

If your Mac is connected to a working Wi-Fi network but the Internet is still not working, then we have got the solution for you. A lot of times your Mac is issued a self-assigned IP, which causes the Internet to not work on the machine.

Despite the same Wi-Fi network working on other devices, the Mac will simply show no internet connection error and Internet will not work on it. In these situations Wi-Fi has the self-assigned IP address and will not connect to the Internet despite the Internet working on other devices.

On Mac’s Wi-Fi page the Wi-Fi will also show the Self-Assigned IP Address text instead of connected. This is a very annoying problem that can cause Internet to not work on your Mac. Not having a working Internet connection on your Mac due to Mac’s self assigned IP problem can prevent you for doing work and render your Mac useless.

Good thing is self-assigned IP issue on Mac is quite easy to solve. You can fix the self-assigned IP address issue and get the Internet to work again on your Mac by simply deleting a few files on your machine.

Simply follow the steps below from an administrator account and put the mentioned files in trash.

This solution works on all recent versions of macOS including macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina.

Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

You can use to solve the self-assigned IP address issue on your Mac running macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina etc.

1. On your Mac launch finder and click on Macintosh HD. (Don’t see Macintosh HD? See here )

2. Click on the Library folder and go to Preferences.

3. Now click on the SystemConfiguration folder.

4. Next put the following files in trash.

5. Restart your Mac.

Once the reboot has taken place the Internet will start working and self assigned IP address issue will be resolved.

If you don’t see all the files mentioned above, then just delete the ones that are present and reboot your machine.

How to Reset Mac’s IP address

In case you’re looking to reset your Mac’s IP address to solve internet connection problems with your computer, then the following instructions will help. If deleting the files mentioned above does not help, then the steps to reset Mac IP address can also prove helpful in fixing self-assigned IP Mac problem.

On macOS Ventura or later

Below you can find instructions on how to reset Mac IP address if you are running macOS Ventura or later.

1. Click on the Apple logo from the top menu bar and then click on System Settings .

2. Now click on Wi-Fi option from the side pane.

3. Make sure your Mac is connected to your Wi-Fi network. Then click on ‘ Details… ‘ located next to Wi-Fi’s name.

4. Now click on TCP/IP button from the left side pane.

5. Next find the ‘ Renew DHCP Lease ‘ button on the right side of the window and click on it.

6. Click on OK button and using the toggle next to Wi-Fi turn off Wi-Fi and turn it back on after a few seconds.

By performing these steps you should be able to solve self-assigned IP issue on your Mac and Internet should start working once again.

On macOS Monterey or earlier

Here’s how you can reset Mac IP address if you are running macOS Monterey or earlier on your Mac.

1. On your Mac open System Preferences.

2. Click on Network icon.

3. Make sure Wi-Fi is selected from the side pane and then click on ‘Advanced’ button.

4. Now click on TCP/IP from the top navigation bar.

5. Next click on ‘Renew DHCP Lease’ button.

6. Click OK to exit and from the top menu click on the Wi-Fi button and turn off Wi-Fi.

7. After a few seconds turn Wi-Fi back on and connect your Mac to your Wi-Fi network.

8. At this point Self-Assigned IP address issue should get solved and Internet should start working again.

There you have it, this is how you can easily and quickly fix Self-Assigned IP address issue on Mac and get your Internet connection working once again. If you have any questions regarding this tutorial, then feel free to let us know in the comments section below.

troubleshooting

Hello I recently instakked BIG SUR on my late 2013 macbook pro and I am having trouble tethering my Iphone XR to it. I can tether using wifi, but when I attempt to tether using bluetooth, my phone shows as connected in bluetooth preferences on my macbook and iphone, with the connection/link symbol shown on my iphone, but the internet will not work. In Network the bluetooth Pan shows an orange dot, STATUS: CONNECTED, but underneath it says ‘internet-not-working-self-assigned-ip-address-issue’. Do you have any ideas on how to fix this, I followed your instructions from the link ( https://ioshacker.com/how-to/fix-internet-not-working-self-assigned-ip-address-issue ) on your website, but each time I restart the computer the files that I put into the trash and delete from the trash re-appear in the system configuration folder. Only 2 of the 3 files you suggested to trash are in the folder, – com.apple.network.identification.plist – is not in the folder. Any advice appreciated.

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How To Fix Common Connection Wi-Fi Issue: Self-assigned IP On MacBook

Struggling with a self-assigned IP issue on MacBook? Try the following solutions. .

Here, you will find some solutions that will help you fix the Wi-Fi issue on the MacBook. Sometimes, in a new place, we have to connect our MacBook to a local Wi-Fi to access the Internet.

Sometimes the Wi-Fi may already be connected, but we still cannot access the Internet. In this case, check your MacBook’s Wi-Fi icon first on the menu bar.

If you see the exclamation mark ( ! ) on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, as you can see in the picture above, it means that there’s a network issue. Click on the Wi-Fi icon and you will probably see the following drop down menu.

How to Fix Common Connection Wi-Fi Issue: Self-assigned IP on MacBook

Many things can cause the no internet connection issue, one of which is the self-assigned IP issue . If you are using Mac OS X 10.5 or later and facing this issue, try the following.

Check your Network Preferences

To start, go to the Apple menu > System preferences > Network.

In this part, you have to ensure that Location (1) is on the Automatic option, as you see in the picture below, then click Advanced (2).

After you click Advanced (2), a new window will appear, as shown in the picture below. Click on the TCP/IP tab to view this window.

You should see two things: Configure IPv4 (1) and Router (2). If Configure IPv4 has been set to Using DHCP and the Router field is empty, then try the following steps to resolve the issue.

Reset Network Configuration

Click on the Finder Icon, then in the Menu Bar Click Go > Go to Folder

After you click Go to Folder, type: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

Note: This will reset all your network configurations. Feel free to proceed if you have no problem losing your network configuration.

Delete the files highlighted in the picture below. You will be asked for your admin password.

Restart your MacBook . After you log in, try to connect to the same Wi-Fi. Check and make sure that Router IP fills the Router in the Advanced window.

Renew DHCP Lease

Here's what you need to do:

Create a brand new network location

If the previous suggestions didn't make any changes, try the following:

Reset the firewall

Still nothing? It's time to reset the firewall. Here's how:

Set the service order

Follow the steps below:

Changing DNS servers

Changing DNS servers helped many users to get rid of the problem. Give it a try:

If you have tried all these suggestions but are still facing the same issue, please contact Apple Support.

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Self assigned IP address

I am in desparate need f some help from anyone. My macbook pro will not connect to the internet. All I get is a self assigned IP address. I have tried renewing the DHCP, restarting the computer, resetting the network, etc. Nothing seems to work. I have the Mac OS X 10.7.3 version. Please help!!!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Apr 9, 2012 10:46 AM

Apr 9, 2012 11:45 AM in response to joepark14

Try a wired connection, if that's an option. If you can connect wired, but not wirelessly, then the following support articles may help:

Joining an encrypted WEP or WPA Wi-Fi network

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues

Aug 31, 2012 5:16 PM in response to CammoP

I have been having the same issue with my computer and the only time I could connect to the internet was when my Firewall was off. I was luckily still under warranty so I called apple care today and she told me these steps that fixed my problem. When you are at your desktop screen go to the tab labeled "GO" and click on Computer. Once you are there follow these steps:

1. Click on Macintosh HD

2. Click on the file labeled "Library"

3. Click on the file labeled "Preferences"

4. Click on the file labeled "SystemConfiguration"

5. Then move these three documents to the trash (don't delete them just in case but your computer should remake these documents on its own

1. com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

2. com.apple.network.identification.plist

3. NeworkInterfaces.plist

6. Then restart your computer and you should be good to go and if you are you can go ahead and delete those documents in your trash (that is what I did) because one of those documents was corrupted.

Hope this helps and let me know if it worked!

Jun 6, 2012 10:45 PM in response to joepark14

I know you seem to have got things sorted, but for others for whom this may not have worked, here is how I got over the "self-assigned IP" problem

system preferences>network>

with airport selected, go to "advanced" and then select TCP/IP

In the "DHCP Client ID" box (which is usually empty) put any random string of numbers

THEN renew the DNCP Lease,

It worked for me after trying a lot of other ways

Aug 19, 2012 8:45 PM in response to joepark14

Hi, all! I had the same problem too, and I had tried all the things, but it does't work. It is so unbelievable. I set up my phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, my mac connect it successfully, but try to connect my router, it get self-assigned IP problem~ what is the matter with my mac?

Apr 16, 2012 8:42 PM in response to joepark14

I had this happen to me twice and the solution for me was to delete the wifi network and keychain password.

The first time i fixed it by restoring from Time Machine which took a long time. I also tried the renew DHCP, delete com.alf.plist etc to no avail. The second time I found a better solution from someone on this forum:

Go to Network Settings

Turn Airport Off

Click Advanced tab

Select my wifi network and hit minus sign to delete

Click apply

Go to Keychain access in Applications/Utilities

Find your network name in the list and delete that password login

Then go back to Network settings and turn airport back on

Click Advanced

Click plus sign then Show Networks

Choose your network and re-enter your password

Click Apply

Then airport should work again, this is what fixed it for me.

All the best

Jul 31, 2012 9:54 AM in response to pharmer9

i am one of the many hundreds victims of this unbelivable nigthmare "self assigned ip" who finally got a solution with this trick.

Hope this work for others as well. By the way .. do you have an explanation for this lack of serious answer from Apple???

best regards

Mar 28, 2014 2:54 PM in response to joepark14

I struggled with this for six hours and finally decided to call my router manufacturer (TP Link), and got a solution. It was a problem with the settings on my router. The combination of the signal width and security type on my wifi settings didn't seem to work with my iMac even though they worked with a MacBooks, iPad etc. I'm not sure if this was due to the age of my system or not but here's what I was told to do:

Reset the router to factory settings (you can probably try without doing this, but I'd recommend it to isolate this from any other issues)

Go to System Preferences - network - WiFi - advanced, click the minus next to your old network

Set the IPv4 option to DHCP

Try and sign into the router login page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), to test if you can connect to it, if you can:

Change the router signal width from 40mhz to 20mhz

Change the wireless channel to 11.

Rename your network.

Change the wireless security type to WEP and set a password of ten numbers

On your mac:

Remove your network from network settings again, then reconnect with the password you just set

Try and connect to the internet

It should work now, but change back the security to WPA/PSK again and set a password, as this is much more secure than WEP.

I believe that random 169..... IP address is because for some reason there is a failure in connection between the router and mac, and it is essentially a 'wild guess' built into OS. So I think for many people this is likely to be a problem with your router settings rather than your Mac.

Hopefully this helps somebody, I felt like it would be looking for a needle in a hay stack otherwise.

Apr 9, 2012 11:27 AM in response to joepark14

Are there any other devices on the same network, and are they able to get an address?

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Apr 9, 2012 11:35 AM in response to Linc Davis

Yes! It is the company internet connnection. Everyone seems to be connected to it except me. I havent tried to connect to it wired, only wireless.

Apr 9, 2012 11:50 AM in response to Linc Davis

so I plugged in a wired connection and it worked. Unplugged it and the wireless was working again. Not sure what happened but its back up and running. Thanks!

Apr 29, 2012 9:10 AM in response to ericdy

Thank you, a simple and excellent answer which helped me greatly!

Jun 1, 2012 7:17 PM in response to ericdy

Excellent solution. Thank you!

It helped me after a day of frustration: my mac would not connect to home wi-fi network at all but would to everything else.

One of the clues should have been the keychain password entry for the network as it was much longer and incorrect, compared to another mac's keychain entry which was connected to the same network. As soon as I saw your instructions I felt relief.

Jun 3, 2012 9:53 AM in response to ericdy

Totally worked - definately some sort of key chain conflict!!

Jun 4, 2012 11:56 AM in response to ericdy

Thank you so much! solved my problem so simply.

Jun 7, 2012 5:53 PM in response to pharmer9

I've been searching forums for 3 days now and none of the 101 things I tried have worked until this.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Jun 7, 2012 10:55 PM in response to ryanhaldy

Glad to be of help. I cannot claim credit but unfortunately have lost the original source for this (another, non-apple forum). It really is strange how many "final solutions" there are for this problem, that don't actually work in all cases.

Anyway - spread the word - maybe YOU can help someone get over this annoying problem

Jun 8, 2012 2:42 PM in response to pharmer9

Came home today and my wifi wasnt working again, tried the "random string of numbers" trick again but it didn't work this time. BUMMER. Guess it wasn't a permanent fix... any other ideas?

Jun 8, 2012 10:30 PM in response to ryanhaldy

So sorry to hear that. The only other trick I have is the following. I don't know if it will help for you

Applying a manual IP under the Configure IPv4 selection should work. In your home router this will be 192.168.1.X . However, this for me is not where the problem lies - for me it is when out on the road using a third party WiFi, what IP to use?

You may find that your iPhone can pick up the network. If so, check your phone under settings / WiFi right arrow on chosen network and see what IP your phone has picked up. Put the same IP into your laptop using "Manually" - just use a different last digit

That the extent of my suggestions I am afraid!

Jun 9, 2012 1:04 PM in response to joepark14

1- change DHCP to DHCP with manually address

2-enter new ipaddres

3-reset to DHCP again

Press ESC to close

How to Fix the Self Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

At times macOS users face the self-assigned IP address malfunction on their computer. Your Mac will keep alerting you to the ‘internet not working’ pop-up even if you have a Wi-Fi network connection.

It allows the network interface to make a malfunctioning ad-hoc network. There can be many reasons for network issues like a broken cable, DHCP server problem, network location, etc. But, it gets better if you know the correct way to troubleshoot the issue.

Table of Contents

Fixes for the self-assigned IP address issue

Self-assigned IP issues can frustrate users and cause internet issues. But, fret not, you can fix self-assigned IP address malfunction using any of the methods mentioned below:

Restart your modem

Before trying any other method to fix the internet issue restart your modem to see if it works. Click the ‘Wi-Fi’ button from the top menu on the Mac to turn it off. Please wait for a few minutes and then turn it back on. Check to see if the issue is fixed.

If this hack works, you will see the Wi-Fi connection running on your Mac with a proper IP address.

Re-enable the network preferences

To reset network preferences on your computer, follow these steps:

Renew DHCP lease

One of the most common fixes to the ‘self-assigned IP issue’ is to renew the DHCP lease. A DHCP lease temporarily assigns an IP address to a device connected to the internet.

If the internet connection is malfunctioning, follow these steps to renew your DHCP lease:

Make a different network location/ new location

One way to fix self-assigned IP is to set up new network locations on your Mac. Follow the steps below to make a new network location:

Primarily self-assigned IP address malfunction occurs when the system’s Firewall undergoes configuration problems. If you have performed significant configuration changes on a Mac, settings may not migrate properly. It causes a Firewall issue and might disrupt the network connection.

To fix the firewall configuration issue, follow these steps:

Note that after the system boots, you would have to allow connections for the numerous programs temporarily.

Setup the service order in network settings

If your Mac has a self-assigned IP address issue, try resetting the service order of Wi-Fi in the network settings.

To set ‘Service order’ on Mac, follow these steps:

Change DNS servers

DNS servers change the domain name to IP addresses. Try changing the DNS servers to see if the issue fixes. Follow these steps:

Contact an Apple support team tech. If the above methods do not fix your Mac’s self-assigned IP address issue.

What does self-assigned IP mean on Mac?

Self-assigned IP is one of the reasons why you are unable to use the internet on your device. It mainly occurs when your network router does not provide your device’s IP address, causing internet connection issues.

How do I give my Mac a static IP address?

You can give your Mac a static IP by following the steps below:

Conclusion

By now, you must have learned how to fix self-assigned IP on your computer. Though it is not a huge problem, it does cause a lot of frustration among users. Hopefully, you found the article helpful and learned how to fix network malfunctions on your mac OS.

Marid is a lifelong tech enthusiast and is the lead editor of Macdentro.com. An expert on all things Apple and a lifelong Mac user. Marid has over 10 years of experience using Apple products including the Apple watch, Ipad and etc

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Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue On Mac

Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

When you don't have access to the internet, it can be very frustrating for everyone. If your Mac can't connect to the internet, you won't be able to access any servers that use an internet connection. This issue can occur when the user made major configuration changes to the system.

The changes can be updating the macOS version, upgrading to a new version, switching to a new system, or restoring the whole system from a backup. When performing these kinds of configurations, settings might not migrate properly, creating problems.

Ethernet users can also experience such a problem. If in network settings, you see a message saying that "Ethernet has a self-assigned IP address and will not be able to connect to the internet," it means that the issue is a failure of DHCP on the cabled connection.

Don't worry, below you'll find ways how you can fix the issue with a self-assigned IP address on your Mac.

Video on Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Check Your Network Preferences

First, you'll need to check TCP/IP settings.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar. 2. Go to "S ystem Preferences. " 3. Find and go to Network settings.

4. Click on the " Advanced " button.

5. Go to the TCP/IP tab. If you see that Configure iPv4 is set to Using DHCP but Router is not set with any IP address, try the following method to fix the problem.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Reset Network Configuration

This method will reset your network configurations.

1. Launch Finder . 2. In the menu bar, click on " Go " and then click on " Go to Folder. "

3. In the pop-up window enter the line: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

4. Delete these files:

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist Networkinterface.plist preferences.plist

5. Shut down your Mac and then power it back on. 6. Log in and connect your Wi-Fi. 7. Go to the TCP/IP setting again and check if the Router has an

After your Mac restarts, it should recreate the files that you deleted.

Renew DHCP Lease

Try renewing your DHCP lease on your Mac.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar. 2. Go to " System Preferences ." 3. Find and go to the " Network" settings.

4. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not selected automatically. 5. Click on the " Advanced " button.

6. Go to the TCP/IP tab. 7. Next to IPv4 Address line, find and click on the " Renew DHCP Lease " button.

8. Click on " OK ."

After the lease is renewed, check if you're able to connect to your network.

Create New Network Location

If renewing the DHCP lease didn't help, try creating a New Network Location and then renew the lease.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar. 2. Go to " System Preferences. " 3. Find and go to the " Network" settings.

4. Next to " Location ", click on the drop-down menu .

5. Click on " Edit Locations ."

6. Click on the + icon to add New Location . 7. Type in the name for the New Network Location . 8. Click on " Done ."

9. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not selected automatically. 10. Click on the " Advanced " button. 11. Go to the TCP/IP tab. 12. Next to IPv4 Address line, find and click on the " Renew DHCP Lease " button.

13. Click on " OK ."

Reset The Firewall

As mentioned before, if you did any configuration changes to the system, your Mac's Firewall might have experienced configuration issues. Try to fix the problem by resetting the Firewall.

1. Launch Finder . 2. In the menu bar, click on " Go " and then click on " Go to Folder ."

3. In the pop-up window, enter in: /Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/

4. Delete file: com.apple.alf.plist

5. Shut down your Mac and then power it back on.

After the system boots, if you are asked to allow access to numerous programs and services, choose depending on your preferences and then try to connect to your network.

Set Service Order

You can try to set the interface order that connects to the internet.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar. 2. Go to " System Preferences ." 3. Find and go to the " Network " settings.

4. Click on the gear icon at the bottom next to the + and - buttons.

5. Click on " Set Service Order ."

6. Drag services to the top of the list.

If you're using Wi-Fi, select the Wi-Fi and drag it to the top.

Change DNS Servers

Try changing the DNS servers.

4. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not selected automatically. 5. Click on the " Advanced " button. 6. Go to the " DNS" tab. 7. Click on the + icon .

8. Add these numbers:

9. Click on " OK ."

If you're still having problems, please contact the Apple Support team.

If any of these methods helped, let us know in the comments!

[Back to Top]

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Macbook self-assigning IP address, can't connect to wifi

macrumors newbie

Apr 11, 2014

I did an extensive search for this question and I saw that some people had it resolved but I tried most of the suggestions and didn't have any luck. Last night i was using my macbook on the internet with no problems, went to bed and when I woke up in the morning I tried to check my email and the exclamation point showed up in the top bar. Someone else has a macbook pro in our house and they can get online with no problem, but for whatever reason I've been booted off and can't get back on. I read some comments that said sometimes another computer can "steal" the IP address of your computer and maybe that's what happened to me? When I go into my network preferences it says Status: On but it has a self-assigned IP address 169.254.18.44 and will not be able to connect to the internet. I've tried rebooting the system, rebooting my computer, deleting the wifi passwords off my keychain access, removing the network names and readding them.... nothing seems to work. So... please help? Thanks!

macrumors G3

Do this now! 1. Turn off your wireless in your troubled Mac. 2. Open System Preferences->Network tab and highlight your Airport card. 3. In the right hand pane click on the 'Advanced' button. 4. In the main 'Wi-Fi' mini-tab delete all 'Previous Networks' connections. 5. The save out and then go to the application /Applications/Utilities/ Keychain Access.app and in that application find the entries for your wireless router. 6. Then go back into your System Preferences->Network pane and highlight your Wi-Fi card again and use the pane to turn on your wireless again and use that to rejoin your wireless network. 7. Put in your username/password again and rejoin and save the password again. 8. Enjoy.

highlight your Wi-Fi card again and use the jane to turn on your wireless again and use that to rejoin your wireless network. Click to expand...

neonbliss said: Tried all of that and still nothing. when you put: what did you mean by "jane"? Other that I did everything exactly how you said it and still jumped back to self-assigned IP. Click to expand...

macrumors 68040

Apr 14, 2014

hiddenmarkov

Macrumors 6502a.

The 169.x.x.x is what is called an APIPA address. Long story short you are not pulling an ip address from a dhcp server (built into the home router in your case). When you don't do this the computer will give you a 169.x.x.x address. have you tried to connect using a wired connection? You may want to isolate maybe the wireless nic having issues. If wired works, console/gui into your router and check its settings.

Sep 5, 2014

Just seen this post. I appreciate it's a few months' old now, and I hope the OP's solved his issue by now! The reason for my post is that I have just recovered from a very similar, if not identical, problem. It was an extension conflict that caused my issue. I've written up my solution here, in case it's of use to anyone: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5507690?start=30&tstart=0

I have this issue... Again... Had it 8 months ago when I moved house- it wouldn't connect to a BT hotspot, it was like it was stuck on a cycle. After a while it would come up with a landing page and it would magically work. Worked fine on a BT router for eight months- not once an issue. Three days ago, it's back with avengance. First few days it would eventually connect if I kept renewing the dhcp licence and keep restarting the laptop and router. Third day in- no amount of restarting is doing anything. Constantly says 'connection time out' or the dreaded 'self-assigned ip'. It isn't the wrong password, nothing in the key chain, and my phone and tablet will context fine. Ideas?

grahamgraham

Jun 16, 2015

I know this is about a year old, but let me share with you what worked for me: I had the same issue, I had no issue connecting to the internet, then one day, it would connect, but my macbook had self assigned an IP of 169.xxx.xxx.xxx, and said that it would be unable to connect to the internet. I deleted the entry in my recently connected list and turned off my wireless. I took a random guess at what the IP of the router I was using is (because I work at a summer camp, so it's not my router) and tried the usual 192.168.1.x. I changed my wireless from DHCP, and assigned it a 192.168.1.138 IP, with a 255.255.255.0 subnet, then assigned the router as 192.168.1.1. I tried to reconnect, and it worked!

Jun 6, 2016

I tried above solutions and nothing helped me. So, finally I fixed my problem by changing wireless mode of my router. My router supports 11b, 11g and 11n modes. And it was set to mixed 11bgn mode with automatic channel bandwidth. 11n mode is preferred and it supports 40 Mhz bandwidth and chooses this bandwidth by default. But when I looked at connection statistics in my mac I found that adapter works in 11n 20MHz. So, I limited my router and set manually 20MHz instead auto. Now mac can detect IP address and everything works great.

jake's not feeling well

Dec 13, 2016

To the OP, my Macbook iOS 10.11, had to use airport utility>advanced>DHCP, changed the beginning of the range's last value to 1 and the ending of the range's value to 40. The router restarted and everything worked.

Dec 30, 2016

grahamgraham said: I know this is about a year old, but let me share with you what worked for me: I had the same issue, I had no issue connecting to the internet, then one day, it would connect, but my macbook had self assigned an IP of 169.xxx.xxx.xxx, and said that it would be unable to connect to the internet. I deleted the entry in my recently connected list and turned off my wireless. I took a random guess at what the IP of the router I was using is (because I work at a summer camp, so it's not my router) and tried the usual 192.168.1.x. I changed my wireless from DHCP, and assigned it a 192.168.1.138 IP, with a 255.255.255.0 subnet, then assigned the router as 192.168.1.1. I tried to reconnect, and it worked! Click to expand...

macrumors 65816

That's not a good idea. If you do that, the router's DHCP server will not be aware of your fixed IP address and may run into conflicts if it tries to assign that IP address to another users. So while assigning a fixed IP address may solve your problem, it may cause problems for other users.

JohnDS said: That's not a good idea. If you do that, the router's DHCP server will not be aware of your fixed IP address and may run into conflicts if it tries to assign that IP address to another users. So while assigning a fixed IP address may solve your problem, it may cause problems for other users. Click to expand...

I don't know why the computer is doing that. You could try resetting the NVRAM by cold booting while holding down the command-option-p-r key combination until you hear the boot chime a third time. If you have to use a fixed IP, try to pick one well away from the IP's that the DCHP server seems to be using, perhaps 192.168.1.250 [doublepost=1483123609][/doublepost]You can try this suggestion from https://www.cnet.com/news/fix-self-assigned-ip-addresses-in-os-x/ To reset the firewall, go to the /Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/ folder and remove the file called "com.apple.alf.plist," and then restart your computer. After the system boots, you may be prompted to allow incoming connections to numerous programs and services, so accept these for now (you can always go to the Firewall settings and deny or remove entries later on) and then try connecting to the network again. While configuration changes from migrating or restoring a system can lead to this problem, at other times major system crashes or power outages can do the same.

JediMindBang

Feb 14, 2017

satcomer said: Do this now! 1. Turn off your wireless in your troubled Mac. 2. Open System Preferences->Network tab and highlight your Airport card. 3. In the right hand pane click on the 'Advanced' button. 4. In the main 'Wi-Fi' mini-tab delete all 'Previous Networks' connections. 5. The save out and then go to the application /Applications/Utilities/ Keychain Access.app and in that application find the entries for your wireless router. 6. Then go back into your System Preferences->Network pane and highlight your Wi-Fi card again and use the pane to turn on your wireless again and use that to rejoin your wireless network. 7. Put in your username/password again and rejoin and save the password again. 8. Enjoy. Click to expand...

Macuser86712

Feb 24, 2018

GEA78 said: This is a post for dummies, like myself, so apologize my non-tech language I had the self-assigned IP problem for a week and tried all possible easy fixes: -Reboot modem and devices (twice, sounds like voodoo to me) -Opened system preferences/network/advanced/TCP/IP clicked renew DHCP license -->this would allow sometime one device to connect, but not all devices at once -Opened system preferences/network/advanced/TCP/IP and under configure IPv6 clicked link-local only (same results as above) -Even ruled out "interferences" setting up a 5.2 Ghz network (sorry if I'm using the wrong words, like I said, I'm quite ignorant about this) Nothing worked. My set up was a modem, three powerline extenders that connected via ethernet to 1) an airport express, 2) an i-mac, 3) an apple TV (if you have no idea what a powerline is read side note below on powerlines) I finally understood what the problem was: I could only connect one device at the time, meaning that if I restarted the modem with only one device connected that device would work. If I had two or more connected the remaining devices had a self-assigned IPs. Now for you dummies-like-me out there (I apologize to all techies out there for using wrong words, concepts etc... the modem receives internet from provider and gives it to your home. Internet works in numbers (IP addresses) that tell your modem what devices are connected to it. Now, modems tpically, can connect to one thing at the time. To connect multiple devices you need a router. The router looks exactly like a modem to me (ha ha) it's another little black box, but it will have multiple ethernet ports on its back. Airport express can work as routers (theoretically, as it turned out mine wasn't). The router generates a range of IP addresses, for example, if you are using your airport express as a router you can see the range under system preferences/network/advanced/TCP/IP it could be 10.10.00.01 to 10.10.00.200 (probably not, maybe this is an impossible range, like I said, dummy here, but it will look something like this to other dummies out there). Now, if that is your range and your devices have an IP address of 169.225.xxx.xxx you have a problem. Your device has an IP address not in the range determined by your router= you have no internet. To find the IP address of your device: on a mac system preferences/network/advanced/TCP/IP (I think it's the IPv4 address... maybe and it should have the first bunch of numbers identical to your router or within the range determined by your airport express) on my apple TV it was under settings/general/connection The problem: I finally determined that the problem was that my airport express, for some reason, could only assign one IP address at the time. If all 3 devices were connected, only one would get a valid IP address. Basically, it was not doing its router job. Apple support were sweet as pie but useless and told me it was a problem due to my provider (which wasn't). The fix: I plugged my modem into an old router I had lying around in the house from my pre-airport express days, restarted the modem and everything went back to normal I almost cried for joy. My current set up: 1-cable from provider into modem 2-ethernet cable from modem into router (into the internet port, not one of the numbered ethernet ports) 3-ethernet cable from one of the numbered ports of the router into ethernet port of powerline extender, plugged into a wall 4a-2nd powerline extender plugged into a wall on a different floor. Ethernet cable out of that into my airport express to generate wi-fi 4b-3rd powerline into a different wall plug. Ethernet from that to i-mac 4c-4th powerline into different plug connected through ethernet to my apple TV I hope this helps! Side note on powerline extenders: I live in a big old house with thick walls and wi-fi won't reach everywhere. Powerline extenders are magic portals that allow your internet to travel through walls (ha ha). I have TP-LINK (TP-link TL-PA511 KIT AV500 Powerline Gigabit Adapter Starter Kit, up to 500Mbps). They're $60 a pair on amazon. The way they work: plug an ethernet cable from your router into the powerline, plugged into the wall (they have to be plugged into the wall to work!). Plug another powerline anywhere into your house (within a ridiculous distance, maybe 300 meters/yards or so) and internet will come out of that precious little thing at the same speed it came out of your modem=magic. Side note on airport express: I think my airport express is glitchy but that said, I used airport utility to set it up. How? On a mac just look for airport utility (apple key+ space to open the search tab). From there click on wi-fi. If the utility does not see your airport express reset it with a pen, clicking that little spot that can only be pushed with a pen till the yellow light pulses fast a few times. For me, sometimes, it takes a couple of clickings to get there. Then wait. On the utility after a while if you click on "other wi-fi devices" on the up-left corner you'll see a number in the scrolldown menu: that's your reset airport express. Select it. Set it to create a wi-fi network (if that's what you need) name the network, assign a password and you should be all set. Click to expand...

AlKhan626 said: In step 5, what do I do when I find the entries for wireless router in Keychain Access App?! Do I delete them?! Click to expand...

Dec 15, 2018

JohnDS said: [doublepost=1483123609][/doublepost]You can try this suggestion from https://www.cnet.com/news/fix-self-assigned-ip-addresses-in-os-x/ To reset the firewall, go to the /Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/ folder and remove the file called "com.apple.alf.plist," and then restart your computer. After the system boots, you may be prompted to allow incoming connections to numerous programs and services, so accept these for now (you can always go to the Firewall settings and deny or remove entries later on) and then try connecting to the network again. While configuration changes from migrating or restoring a system can lead to this problem, at other times major system crashes or power outages can do the same. Click to expand...

Dominicanyor

Dec 19, 2019

I’m having the same issue. I’m using an eero mesh system. Is their an actual permanent fix with this issue?

JediMindBang said: I tried a million things and made an account just to say thank you. THIS is the BEST answer to this question. I went through all the other methods. Thank you very much sir Click to expand...

hobowankenobi

Macrumors 68000.

hobowankenobi said: When I see this, I do wonder if it just a DHCP issue from the router. Short of fixing or replacing the router...the "fixes" may vary widely, and are not really fixes, they are temp band-aids. One way to check would be to not use DHCP. To test, one could manually assign a fixed IP. This assumes that the user can find out their DHCP setup, and assign an appropriate static IP. --- Example for common defaults, but can vary widely by router and configuration . This example assumes this default config: ROUTER IP: 192.168.1.1 DHCP RANGE: 192.168.1.2 through 192.168.100 1. Create a new Location for wifi interface (named something clear, like Test Static IP) 2. Configure Settings in new Location: IPv4: Manually IP: 192.16.8.101* Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Router: 192.168.1.1 DNS: 192.168.1.1** Important bits: *The manual IP can be anything between .1 and .254....as long as it is not already assigned to any device via DHCP, so any address beyond the DHCP range should be fine. **DNS settings can vary, one could instead use Google: 8.8.8.8 instead of the router IP. If this is a portable, this setting will only work on your network; joining any other network would require changing the location back to the default (Automatic) DHCP config. With the new Location selected, is the issue resolved? If yes...then DHCP on the router is likely the culprit. Click to expand...

macOS User Guide

Resolve IP address conflicts on Mac

If you’re connected to a network using TCP/IP, and you are having problems connecting your Mac to other computers or services, there may be a conflict with your computer’s IP address and the IP address of another device on the network.

Depending on the way your IP address is provided, there are several things you can try to resolve the conflict.

If you receive an IP address automatically using DHCP, there could be another device on the network that is already using that IP address. In most cases, the DHCP server will provide your Mac with another IP address in a few minutes. Try connecting again.

Close the app that is using the connection (such as Safari or Messages), then open the app again.

Put your computer to sleep, wait a few minutes, then wake it from sleep. Try connecting again.

Close all open apps and restart your computer.

If you entered your IP address manually, make sure you entered the correct address. If you’re connecting to a network that’s managed by an administrator, check with the administrator. See Enter TCP/IP settings .

If you’re on a home network, and none of these suggestions fix the problem, try disconnecting from the network and turning off all the devices that are connected to it (for example, your router and modem). Wait a few minutes, then turn the devices back on. See Restart an external device .

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WiFi issue brand new 16" MBP - self-assigned IP address

Brand new 16" MacBook Pro with a highly frustrating issue. Only one potential fix but only works temporarily. Any help is much appreciated.

- Details I just received a 16" MBP today, and set it up from Migration Assistant as I've done with many Macs successfully over the years. However, it wouldn't connect to WiFi, stating, "Wi-Fi has the self-assigned IP address 169.254. *. and will not be able to connect to the Internet.

This was when I was connecting to previous known networks. However, it WAS able to connect to one open SSID which I'd never used before successfully.

The only fix that has mysteriously worked is to change the MAC address. When I run the command line on this forum post , the WiFi successfully connects. However, upon restart, it once again reverts to self-assigned IP. (I believe Catalina doesn't allow MAC address changes).

Can anyone please help explain how I can resolve this, why the MAC address change works temporarily, and how I can ensure a more permanent solution? It's a custom ordered 16" MBP that took 5 weeks for delivery, so I'd highly prefer not to send it back.

Here are a list of things I've tried:

I see two possible problems here:

First possibility is that your MAC address after reboot is somehow invalid (i.e. for example set to all zeros). That could make your DHCP server (probably in your home router) reject your request for an IP address).

Check if that is the case by running the following command in the Terminal:

Note the line that starts with "ether" - it should have a valid MAC address looking something like f2:23:48:a3:1e:22 or similar.

Second possibility is that the problem is really with your WIFi router / DHCP server and not locally with your laptop. This could happen if your router added the new MacBook Pro's MAC address to a block list or similar.

Check the router's settings and management interface to ensure that the MAC address of your new MacBook Pro is not listed in any black lists - and if you have white listed your old computer, then white list your new computer as well.

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Self-Assigned IP Address

Well-known member

If you are getting a self-assigned IP, that usually indicates that you aren't actually connecting to the router or the router is out of IP addresses to hand out. When you forcibly hard code a random IP address, as long as no one else connected at the same has the same IP address, things will work. If you have two devices with the same IP connected at the same time, you're going to get very goofy behavior. If your devices are working fine with other WiFi networks and misbehaving only with this one network, it's more than likely an issue with that specific router. The router likely needs to be rebooted to clear out the old/stale IP addresses. Traditionally, the IP leases (for personal networks) are set for a day or longer. For places that offer free WiFi to customers or visitors, that lease time should be reduced to something significantly smaller (like an hour or so) and that would ensure good recycling of IP addresses.

Ratsima said: I go out for coffee every morning. All of the venues I visit have WiFi Access Points. I have trouble with only one. At that one place both my iPhone and iPad always get a self-assigned IP address. Other customers, including those using Apple devices, seem to have no trouble at all. I have tried renewing the lease, forgetting the network and resetting the network settings. (I even did a factory reset of the iPhone for other reasons.) Nothing works. The only way I can connect to the network is if I manually enter the IP address, subnet mask and router address. (I asked other customers about their IP address in order to figure out what I had to enter manually.)............................ Click to expand...

Screen Shot 2019-08-15 at 12.40.13 PM.png

Aug 16, 2019

I'm pretty sure the problem is with an excessive lease time with the router's DHCP server. My daughter happens to work for this company and made her first visit to this branch this week. Last night I asked her about connectivity and she said that a few, but certainly not all, other customers have trouble connecting. I suspect that if you walk in soon after an IP's lease expires, you can connect. I explained to her what the problem is and offered to help. It's anyone's guess as to whether or not the message will make it to the IT staff. If not, my work-around of manually entering an IP address seems to work, for me. It failed yesterday because I inadvertantly deleted the Note in which I saved the necessary info. It took me a while to work it out again.

I agree with what the others have said - the router has probably run out of IP addresses. That can be easily fixed by limiting the IP reservation time to say one hour. That way the business does not have to continually reboot the router. Also if the place is really busy most routers/access points can only handle around 127 users at a time - and realistically that number is more like 100 users. That is why businesses add more access points as the local routers or access points are overloaded with users. You can have a huge IP pool but get bottle necked at the router/access point being overloaded with users. Lisa

It's a relatively small place, so there's never more than a dozen or so users. But, much of their business is take-out beverages, so I'm sure many people come in, order, use the WiFi until their drinks are ready and then move on. That will use up a lot of IP leases without it being obvious.

It is an easy fix. Most put in the router and never change the defaults which is usually an 8 hour lease I believe. At work I allow two hours which is plenty but I also have enough access points to allow for about 500 users. That far exceeds what we need. Lisa

In this case getting the message to the people who have the authority to change the setup of the router will be problematic. I don't speak Thai and the people who work in this shop don't speak English. It's extremely unlikely that I would ever be able to get in touch with the people who can log in to the router. Amazing Thailand

Aug 17, 2019

Yeah that language barrier can be a problem. It can even be a problem when all parties supposedly speak the same language! ;D Lisa

lclev said: Yeah that language barrier can be a problem. It can even be a problem when all parties supposedly speak the same language! ;D Lisa Click to expand...

I remember back in my military days when I was stationed in Quebec at a RCAF-USAF base, we had civilian workers at the base who were from Newfoundland. Couldn't understand half of what they were saying. Of course we have much the same problem here in the US. You can always tell what part of the US a person is from by their accent.

And then there's the culture problem. I decided that instead of trying to find out who I should talk to, I would send an email message suggesting that reducing the lease time might solve the WiFi connect problem. I told my wife about the email and she let me know that sending it was cultural insensitive. Oh, well.

I remember back in my military days when I was stationed in Quebec at a RCAF-USAF base, we had civilian workers at the base who were from Newfoundland. Couldn't understand half of what they were saying. Click to expand...

Generally, the accents in Canada are very much like those of the US, but the Newfoundland dialect is different from all the others. And yeah, that car ad was totally out of it. LOL

Are you using a VPN, and they're not? Or any other extra security apps?

ferrarr said: Are you using a VPN, and they're not? Or any other extra security apps? Click to expand...

I assume you've tried the various "fixes" such as this?: YouTube And have you tried the " Wireless Diagnosis ? Hold down the option button and it should be available at the bottom of the Airport menu dropdown list. (Unless Apple moved it or removed it from the latest OSs. I don't know as I mainly just use Mavericks 10.9.5 and it's certainly there.) EDIT: And how about this??? HOW-TO Internet not Working Due to Self-Assigned IP Address on Mac: How to Fix the Issue Internet not Working Due to Self-Assigned IP Address on Mac: How to Fix the Issue It looks like it's a bit more drastic and deleting some files that may be corrupt. Worth a try I'd say. - Patrick ======

The second time I found a better solution from someone on this forum: Go to Network Settings Turn Airport Off Click Advanced tab Select my wifi network and hit minus sign to delete Click Okay Click apply Go to Keychain access in Applications/Utilities Find your network name in the list and delete that password login Then go back to Network settings and turn airport back on Click Advanced Click plus sign then Show Networks Choose your network and re-enter your password Click Okay Click Apply Then airport should work again, this is what fixed it for me. Click to expand...

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How to Fix Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

The self-assigned IP address error on a MAC is a common issue when the device cannot obtain an IP address from the router or DHCP server. It can cause Internet connectivity problems and make it difficult to access local network resources.

In this article, you will learn the causes of this error and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

Content Table

What Does it Mean When It Says WiFi Has a Self-Assigned IP Address?

When a device says it has a “ self-assigned IP address ” on a WiFi network, it cannot obtain a valid IP address from the router. It can happen for various reasons, such as a conflict with another device on the network with the same IP address or an issue with the router’s DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) settings.

Without a valid IP address, the device cannot access the internet or communicate with other devices on the network. To fix this issue, try restarting the device and router, checking for firmware updates, or manually changing the IP address.

What Are The Reasons for Self-Assigned IP Address Errors?

Several reasons for a self-assigned IP address error can occur on a MAC . Some of the most common causes include:

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix a Self-Assigned IP Address Error on a Mac

To fix a self-assigned IP address error on a MAC , you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

Check network connection: Ensure that the MAC is connected to the network and that the network cable is securely plugged in.

MacBook - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

Renew DHCP lease: Try renewing the DHCP lease on the MAC by going to the “ System Preferences ” > “ Network ” > “Select Network” >” Advanced ” > “ TCP/IP ” tab, then click on the “Renew DHCP Lease” button.

Renew DHCP Lease - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

Reset the router: Try resetting it by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Power Off Router - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

Check for updates: Make sure the MAC runs the latest software updates.

Update macOS - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

Disable IPv6 Mac - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

Some Bonus Fixes:

If the troubleshooting steps above do not resolve the self-assigned IP address error on your MAC , you may need to try some advanced solutions:

Reset NVRAM - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

Contact technical support: If none of the above steps resolves the issue, contact technical support for further assistance.

It’s important to note that maintaining a stable network connection is crucial for the smooth operation of any device. A self-assigned IP address error can be a frustrating problem to deal with, but by following the steps outlined in this blog post, you should be able to resolve it quickly and get back to using your MAC as usual.

Additionally, it is always a good practice to keep your MAC updated, regularly check for malware and viruses, and ensure that the network adapter is working properly. It can help prevent self-assigned IP address errors and other network-related issues from occurring in the future.

How do I Fix the 169.254 IP Address on Mac?

If you’re experiencing an IP address of 169.254 on your Mac, your computer cannot obtain an IP address from your router. Various issues, such as a malfunctioning router or a conflict with another device on your network, can cause it.

To fix this, you can restart your router and Mac and check for any conflicting devices on your network. Depending on whether the problem persists, you may need to configure your IP address settings on your Mac manually.

You can do it by going to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP . Consult your router’s manual or contact your internet service provider for specific instructions.

Manual IP Config Mac - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

How do I Fix DHCP on Mac?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, or DHCP, is a crucial network component in most networks. The device assigns IP addresses to devices connected to the network. Without it, devices may be unable to connect to the internet or communicate with other devices on the network. If you are experiencing issues with DHCP on your Mac, there are a few steps you can take to fix the problem.

The first step is to check your network settings. Make sure that your Mac is set to obtain an IP address automatically and that DHCP is enabled. If these settings are incorrect, you may need to enter them manually. If this does not fix the issue, try restarting your router or modem. Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve DHCP issues.

Another solution is to clear your DHCP lease. It will force your Mac to request a new IP address from the DHCP server. To do this, open the Terminal app on your Mac, then type in “ sudo dhclient -r ,” followed by your admin password. It will release the current DHCP lease, and your Mac will request a new one.

Fix DHCP via Terminal - Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac

If none of the above solutions works, your router may malfunction, or you might have a problem with your modem. Try contacting your internet service provider for assistance or checking for firmware updates for your router.

Various issues, including incorrect network settings, DHCP server issues, and router problems, can cause a self-assigned IP address error on a MAC. To fix this issue, you can try troubleshooting steps such as renewing the DHCP lease, resetting network settings, and resetting the router.

In case these steps fail, you can try advanced solutions such as checking for malware or viruses, reinstalling the network adapter driver, and checking for hardware issues. If the problem persists, you may need to contact technical support.

Read : How to Fix if Mac Keyboard Not Working Properly?

How to Fix Samsung TV Won't Connect To Wifi Error?

Fix self-assigned IP addresses in OS X

One common issue that has affected OS X systems is when network interfaces are issued a self-assigned IP address. Here is how to address this problem.

One common issue that has affected OS X systems is when network interfaces are issued a self-assigned IP address, even though the system is connected to a network with a properly configured DHCP server. When this happens, other systems on the same network (often including similarly configured Macs) will be working just fine, indicating the problem lies with the Mac's configuration and is not a compatibility issue with the networking hardware.

Often when I encounter this issue, I find that people have recently made a relatively major configuration change to their systems, either by updating their OS version, performing an upgrade to another major release of OS X, migrating to a new system, or have just restored their systems from backup. Initial attempts to address the problem include creating new network locations to refresh the network port configurations, or manually refresh the DHCP lease to force a reconfiguration for the port. While these are good attempts, many times they do not fix the problem.

The reason OS X issues self-assigned IP addresses is to allow a network interface to create an ad-hoc network if needed, without the presence of an established network. However, this is only done if the network port detects a proper hardware connection but cannot communicate with the DHCP server to obtain an IP address. Usually the main culprit for this is configuration problems with the system's firewall.

When people perform major configuration changes to their systems, sometimes the settings may not migrate properly. One that seems particularly vulnerable to odd problems is the system firewall. Luckily the fix is a relatively easy one; all you have to do is remove the firewall's preferences and then reboot the system.

To reset the firewall, go to the /Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/ folder and remove the file called "com.apple.alf.plist," and then restart your computer. After the system boots, you may be prompted to allow incoming connections to numerous programs and services, so accept these for now (you can always go to the Firewall settings and deny or remove entries later on) and then try connecting to the network again. While configuration changes from migrating or restoring a system can lead to this problem, at other times major system crashes or power outages can do the same.

Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us ! Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums .

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Connecting mac directly to modem - self assigned IP

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How To Fix Internet Not Working Due To Self-Assigned IP Address Issue
Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue On Mac
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6 Easy ways to fix self-assigned IP address issue on Mac
How to fix issue

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COMMENTS

6 Easy ways to fix self-assigned IP address issue on Mac
Restart your Mac. Log in and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Go to the TCP/IP setting again and check the router files. After your Mac restarts, you should be able to find the deleted files in your folder. Renew DHCP Lease on macOS Click on the Apple logo. Go to System Preferences. Find and go to Network settings. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi
Restarting might help because your Mac then automatically renews the internet address it was assigned when joining the Wi-Fi network. Or you can renew the IP address manually. This is known as renewing the DHCP lease. If the lease expired and the address is already in use by another device, your Mac is assigned a new address.
Resolve "Self-Assigned IP" Errors for Apple Mac
This guide will help you to troubleshoot self assigned IP addresses. 2 Network: Reboot One of the main causes with the inability to get on the Internet is that your networking equipment could have malfunctioned. Sometimes performing a reboot will resolve this issue. Your network may consist of one or more of the following networking devices.
Wi-Fi has Self-Assigned IP Address
Adding a DNS entry with 192.168.1.1 (same address as the wifi router) has done the trick in most cases. If the router won't do DNS by itself, there's always Open DNS, whose IP Addresses are 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. The most common addresses for wifi routers are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1, 10.0.1.1, and 10.0.2.1. Reply Helpful BigPhil71
What Is A Self Assigned IP Address And How To Fix This Mac Error
Open System Preferences on your Mac. Click on the Network icon. Make sure you've selected the Wi-Fi from the side panel and then select the Advanced button. Go to the top navigation bar and select TCP/IP. Click on the Renew DHCP Lease option at the right of the IPv4 address line. Select OK to exit and then turn off the Wi-Fi from the top menu bar.
Self-Assigned IP Address Error on Mac: How to Fix?
1. Click on Apple Logo in the top menu-bar and select System Preferences… in the drop-down menu. 2. On System Preferences screen, click on the Network Icon. 3. On Network screen, select your Network ( Ethernet or WiFi) in the side-menu and click on Advanced. 4. On the next screen, switch to TCP/IP tab and click on Renew DHCP Lease button. 5.
How To Fix Internet Not Working Due To Self-Assigned IP Address Issue
On your Mac open System Preferences. 2. Click on Network icon. 3. Make sure Wi-Fi is selected from the side pane and then click on 'Advanced' button. 4. Now click on TCP/IP from the top navigation bar. 5. Next click on 'Renew DHCP Lease' button. 6. Click OK to exit and from the top menu click on the Wi-Fi button and turn off Wi-Fi. 7.
How To Fix Common Connection Wi-Fi Issue: Self-assigned IP ...
Here's what you need to do: From the menu bar, click on the Apple logo Next, head over to System Preferences Go to Network Settings Choose your Wi-Fi or Ethernet Select Advanced and go to the TCP/IP tab Find the iPv4 Address line, and click on Renew DHCP lease right next to it Finally, click OK. Create a brand new network location
Self assigned IP address
Reset the router to factory settings (you can probably try without doing this, but I'd recommend it to isolate this from any other issues) Go to System Preferences - network - WiFi - advanced, click the minus next to your old network Set the IPv4 option to DHCP
How to Fix the Self Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac
If your Mac has a self-assigned IP address issue, try resetting the service order of Wi-Fi in the network settings. To set 'Service order' on Mac, follow these steps: Select the Apple logo on the screen and click 'system preferences' Click on 'Network icon and then press on the gear icon
Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue On Mac
Method 1. Reset Network Configuration Method 2. Renew DHCP Lease Method 3. Create New Network Location Method 4. Reset the Firewall Method 5. Set Service Order Method 6. Change DNS Servers Video on Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac Download Computer Malware Repair Tool
Macbook self-assigning IP address, can't connect to wifi
6. Then go back into your System Preferences->Network pane and highlight your Wi-Fi card again and use the pane to turn on your wireless again and use that to rejoin your wireless network. 7. Put in your username/password again and rejoin and save the password again.
Resolve IP address conflicts on Mac
Close all open apps and restart your computer. If you entered your IP address manually, make sure you entered the correct address. If you're connecting to a network that's managed by an administrator, check with the administrator. See Enter TCP/IP settings.
How to fix issue
How to fix issue - Self-Assigned IP address Mac - YouTube 0:00 / 4:10 How to fix issue - Self-Assigned IP address Mac 48,794 views Nov 10, 2020 326 Dislike Share Save PCrisk 8.2K...
macbook pro
The only fix that has mysteriously worked is to change the MAC address. When I run the command line on this forum post, the WiFi successfully connects. However, upon restart, it once again reverts to self-assigned IP. (I believe Catalina doesn't allow MAC address changes).
Self-Assigned IP Address
The router likely needs to be rebooted to clear out the old/stale IP addresses. Traditionally, the IP leases (for personal networks) are set for a day or longer. For places that offer free WiFi to customers or visitors, that lease time should be reduced to something significantly smaller (like an hour or so) and that would ensure good recycling ...
How to Fix Self-assigned IP Address Error on Mac
Various issues, including incorrect network settings, DHCP server issues, and router problems, can cause a self-assigned IP address error on a MAC. To fix this issue, you can try troubleshooting steps such as renewing the DHCP lease, resetting network settings, and resetting the router.
Fix self-assigned IP addresses in OS X
Luckily the fix is a relatively easy one; all you have to do is remove the firewall's preferences and then reboot the system. To reset the firewall, go to the /Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/...
‎Connecting mac directly to modem
When I plug my mac directly to the modem via ethernet to thunderbolt adapter, I can't connect. My mac tells me that my IP address is self assigned. I'm not sure how to fix this. I tried to go into settings and tell it to renew the DHCP lease, but that didn't change anything. Try power cycling the modem. Thanks.