How to fix an IP address conflict
Posted on August 4, 2009 at 5:37 am
Ever get the following message when turning on your computer or taking it out of sleep mode?
There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network
You may also see a different error message for the same problem:
This IP address is already in use on the network. Please reconfigure a different IP address.
This occurs when two computers on the same LAN network end up with the same IP address. When this occurs, both computers end up not being able to connect to network resources or perform other network operations.
This problem, though rare, can occur because of the following reasons:
- Two computers are assigned the same static IP addresses
- One computer is assigned a static IP address that falls into the DHCP range for the local network and the same address is assigned to a computer by the DHCP server
- A laptop is put into sleep mode and then turned on while connected to another network that uses the same IP address
- If you have multiple network adapters, it is possible for a to have an IP address conflict with itself
How to resolve an IP address conflict
There are a few ways you can go about fixing this problem. I’ll start with the simplest and move on.
1. Renew IP Address – You can release and renew the IP address for your computer using the command prompt. Read my previous post on how to renew an IP address.
2. Reconfigure Static IP Address – If your computer is using a static IP address, it is best to try and use a different one in the same subnet. One way to check to make sure the one you are picking is not already being used is to simple ping the IP addresss (ping x.x.x.x).
You can read my previous post on how to change your IP address using the command prompt.
3. Use DHCP – If you don’t need to use a static IP address, it’s best to simply choose DHCP instead of manually configuring the IP address. The server will know which addresses are free and which are taken.
4. Update firmware – In some rare instances, the actual DHCP server can malfunction and assign more than one computer the same IP. In this case, it is best to try and update the firmware on your router.
If you’re still having an IP address conflict, post your problem here and I’ll try to help you out! Enjoy!
» Filed Under Computer Tips
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Comments
20 Responses to “How to fix an IP address conflict”
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How to release and renew an IP address Says:
[...] You’ll need to do this a lot during your IT career and it’s really useful for getting your computer reconnected to the Internet or to the local LAN network. Renewing an IP address can also help fix an IP address conflict. [...]
August 30th, 2009 at 5:26 am
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“Duplicate name exists on the network” Windows error Says:
[...] about what would happen if you had two computers with the same IP address on the same network: an IP address conflict. But what happens when you have two computers with the same name on a [...]
September 21st, 2009 at 5:33 am
So how would you find out if you have multiple network adapters, it is possible for an adapter to have an IP address conflict with itself?
Hi, well I tried your steps 1-4 but no joy. There still is a notice about a windows system error – ip conflict. My gut tells me that it’s a “If you have multiple network adapters…” problem. I had a Trendnet wireless PCI card that went bad and in my haste to install the new Linksys wireless PCI card I forgot to uninstall the Trendnet.
I’m connected to the internet with the Linksys PCI card installation was by the book, I’m using Windows to configure the wireless connection (not the Linksys software). I’ve tried the show hidden devices in the Device Manager (set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1) and I found a couple of network adapters that weren’t in use anymore, even an old USB wireless-b stick and I uninstalled them with no problem, but still the message shows up, even on start up before entering my windows logon info. Not sure what to do? This IP address conflict message is getting irritating, please help… -BC
What will happen if I have two PCs with same ip addresses in the same LAN? Will they work?
This question has been asked in my exam in the HCU university, and answer is our teacher says that they will work? I am disagree with my teacher, how it can work two PCs with same ip addresses in the same LAN? If any one knows please help me!
Hi. I have a linksys WRT54G v5 router with a Dell laptop using Windows XP. I use DSL modem from att that I have had for years. I also have another laptop Gateway that uses Vista. Last night, my internet was stating on the Gateway that I have limited to no connectivity. It happened before that so I unplugged the modem and router, plugged back in and they worked fine.
Last night, did the same thing except I reset the modem and router after failing for plug in to work. Well now my Dell and Gateway will connect with limited or no connectivity. I can however hook the Dell up with a cable and connect to the internet. I upgraded the firmware on the router. Unplugged, replugged router, modem and then rebooted computer. To no avail. I also release and renew in cmd prompt to no avail. My cable works with correct IP addresses but I cannot get the IP address correct on the wireless adapter (linksys) I use under cmd. It is alway a 169. XX XX number. What can I do? I am at my wits end and linksys won’t help because out of warranty. Thanks so much…
hi,
I have a problem with IP address conflict. The problem is that when you try to ping an IP address, its request timed out, meaning you cannot ping it, but when you try to assign it to a machine, it says that IP address conflict, that the IP is already used on the network.
Please help.
Thanks,
hey there..ive got a problem with my connection..it keeps going off every now and then..what i mean is i get limited connectivity when the internet is down and somehow on another computer it says ip conflict..so basically what i have to is RESET the router everytime this happens and things will go back to normal…and it will occur again somehow…3-4 times a day..its tiring..
well, what i did was i switched to static ip address on my computer and for the other…and it still does the same thing…well my problem is quite similar to CATHERINE..using linksys router too…so my question is, if im using static IP…SHOULD i go into the router settings and DISABLE DHCP in order for it to work?
@jason – Yes you could go into the router and disable DHCP and then setup static IP addresses on the computers, however, this seems unnecessary to me. Go into your IP configuration and make sure both computers are set to dynamically receive IP addresses. Maybe your other computer already had a static IP address and that is what was causing the problem?
I occasionaly have the IP conflict error popup and I’m not sure I need to do anything about it as the error message goes away within a few seconds. This may not occur for months and then it’s there several times a day. My real problem, tho, is not being able to stay connected to the open WIFI router at the main office of the RV park I’m in. The connection goes off and on many many times an hour. A few other people have the same problem and others have no problem. Why is this happening and what can I do?
I wrote an article about how to identify the source of an IP address conflict”
binbert.com/blog/2009/12/ip-address-conflict-source-device-identification
Hi, we have 46 D-Link switches in our network and our servers will intermediately pop up with the IP Address Conflict message even though we changed the IP addresses. We repair the connection and it goes away, but pops back up in 20 mins! We think it is a switch that is causing the problem, how can we determine which one and prevent the IP conflict?
I’m having an odd issue. Brand new PC. Setup for DHCP. The card gets assigned an address and then generates the duplicate IP address error. When I look at the DHCP server, the only device assigned that IP is the new PC. Yet if I disconnect the PC from the network and ping the assigned address from another PC it replies. I do have two DHCP servers but with distinct IP ranges. One ends at xxx.xxx.2.164 and the other starts at xxx.xxx.2.165.
Never mind. Turns out it was an Apple computer that had been left on for God knows how many days and was asleep. Why it didn’t show up in DHCP as owning the address, I can’t figure out but at least my issue is resolved. BTW, if you ping the address and it responds it will be added to the ARP cache and then you can see the MAC address by using ARP -a. Then you can lookup the manufacturer by going here:
http://www.coffer.com/mac_find/.
I used that to find out it was an Apple device on my network that was causing the problem.
Hi. I have two Packard Bell IMedia’s (1901 & 1428) running Windows XP Home Edition (for my children). Neither can connect to the wireless network. 1901 – has Windows XP SP 2 and 1428 – Windows XP SP3 (via Windows Update). I have installed the latest Netgear Driver 3.4.0 for the wireless adapters WG111v2 but although both Netgear utilities & Windows recognise an excellent strength signal from my Sky (Sagem) broadband router, Windows is constantly in the status ‘aquiring IP Address’.
I have tried both Netgear & Windows Zero Wireless utilities to configure the connection and tried amending the IP/TCP to a fixed IP address (advice from Sky Broadband help) and it does connect but then cuts off after a short period of time? I have even tried a BT Voyager 1055 adapter and uninstalled the Mcafee suite (incase of conflict), turning Windows firewall off but the problems still exist. My Fujitsu-Siemens Li 2727 laptop running Windows Vista connects to the wireless network with no problems.
Your help will be greatley appreciated as I’ve run out of ideas!
I am a new user and am running Windows 7 on a Inspiron 1545. My problem is that I have been connecting to the Internet thru un-secured wireless connections and all was well until recently. A small window on the task bar showed up with a message saying something to the effect that Windows has detected another computer with the same ip address. I am currently connected thru a unsecure linksys connection but the one I can no longer use is Netgear. Please help
I managed to get through this and fix my problem with the conflicting IP addresses! Thanks!
Hello everyone, I am having some problems on my network. We have several wireless repeaters in our setup and for some reason I keep getting an IP address conflict even though there is only one DHCP server. How is this possible? Can someone help?
I am trying to resolve an IP Address Conflict in my local network. I’ve already followed the instructions above on how to release and renew the IP Address however I keep getting the error: The operation failed as no adapter is in the state permissible for this operation. This is becoming too technical for me since I don’t have that much background in computer programming. I hope you could help. I will be looking forward to your speedy reply on this matter Thank you very much!
Ciao a tutti!
Sulla rete è impostato il DHCP ma quasi tutti i PC fissi hanno indirizzi IP statici. Ho fatto un ping su 192.168.0.165 e la risposta è “host non raggiungibile”. Allora ho impostato una scheda di un pc della rete con questo indirizzo ma viene visualizzato il messaggio di conflitto IP. Ho provato anche senza impostare il gateway o il dns ma il messaggio è sempre lo stesso.
Ho dovuto impostare un indirizzo IP 192.168.0.166 e tutto funziona correttamente, ma perché non posso impostare 192.168.0.165 se il messaggio del ping mi dice che è disponibile?
Grazie
Ciao