Despite how far technology has come, it is certainly not perfect. This is especially true when you really need the Wi-Fi, but get error messages instead. Getting IP address error on Android means you’re stuck without Wi-Fi, which is incredibly frustrating if you have a limited mobile data plan.
Causes of the error
To connect to a WiFi network, your Android device must be assigned an IP address. Without it, you are not allowed to log in. The network router is in charge of assigning IP addresses. When it can’t assign one, you get the error of getting the IP address on Android.
The exact cause of this situation varies widely. Sometimes this happens on a network that you have connected to a thousand times when nothing has changed at all. Other times, it may be a new network that you cannot connect to. In most cases, correcting the error means going through a series of troubleshooting steps to refresh the connection.
Restart your device
It may sound simple, but if it is a network that you have successfully connected to before and nothing has changed, it may be a problem with your device. Something as simple as an app that doesn’t start properly could be preventing you from signing in. Restart your device and try to connect again.
Restart your router
Sometimes it can be the router acting and refusing to acknowledge the connecting device. A simple solution is to restart the router. Simply turn off the device, wait 30 seconds and turn the device back on.
After the router has restarted, try to connect your device to the Wi-Fi network again.
Reset your router
If restarting the router does not work, the next step is to reset your router. A “reset” is different from a “reboot” in that all configurations are lost and the router is restored to factory condition. Most routers have a reset button on them. Press and hold until the router reboots. If there is a problem with the router, this allows it to restart and reassign the IP addresses to connecting devices. Once reset, you will need to configure the router again.
Forget the network
Your Android device saves the networks you connect to. You can delete them at any time. If something didn’t store properly or read incorrectly, you may get the error getting IP address on Android. You will need to know the network password before reconnecting.
Although the steps may vary slightly depending on your device, go to “Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi”. Tap on the network name and choose “Forget”.
Tap the network again, enter the password, and try to connect again.
Switch to airplane mode
Software problems or interference may prevent you from connecting to a network. Airplane mode is designed to cut all connections on your Android device. This refreshes all your networks. While it’s not quite the same as forgetting about a network, it may be all you need to get an IP address on the network.
Depending on your device, you may be able to pull down the notifications / options menu at the top of your screen and tap “Airplane mode”.
Another method is to hold down the power button until the power options appear and then choose “Airplane Mode.”
Turn it on for a few minutes, then turn it off to try to reconnect to the network.
Change device name
There may be a problem with the name of your device. It’s a simple thing to change and can help stop getting IP address error on Android.
Go to “Settings -> System -> About phone -> Phone (or device) name”.
Enter a new name and restart your device.
To get closer
Interference may be the cause of the error. As incredibly simple as it may sound, getting close to your router could be the answer. The closer you are, the stronger the Wi-Fi signal. Poor signal not only leads to slow internet connection, but may not allow you to connect at all. Usually you get an error saying you can’t connect, but you can also see the error getting the IP address.
Assign a static IP address
If this is a Wi-Fi network that you connect to all the time, like at home, manually assigning a static IP address can help. This is not a guarantee, however. You will have to change your settings with each Wi-Fi network you want to connect to, so this can end up being more frustrating than the error itself.
Go to “Settings -> Network and Internet (or Connections) -> Wi-Fi”. Long press the annoying network. Select “Edit network”.
Check “Show advanced options” and select “Static” under IP settings.
Enter an IP address. Enter 192.168.1.XXX where XXX is a number between 1 and 255. If you get an error indicating that the IP address is already in use, it is already assigned to another device. Just choose another number. Tap Save and try to sign in again.
Any of the above methods may solve your getting IP address error problem on Android. Start with the easiest method and work your way up until you find the one that’s right for you.
Are you having difficulty navigating on your Android device? Then read how to find the downloaded files on Android devices. For something a little more experimental, check out our list of the best Android hacking apps.
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Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as a computer technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most out of their devices, systems and applications. She stays abreast of the latest trends and always finds solutions to common technological problems.
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