How to Add or Change the Default Gateway in Linux

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you need to find or change the IP address of your default gateway or router on Linux, you're in luck—it's super easy to do. This wikiHow article will show you how to use the route command to find the default gateway IP address on Linux, and how to set a new default gateway in your /etc/network/interfaces configuration file.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Using the Terminal

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can open the Terminal from the side bar, or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T . [1]
  2. You can check what your default gateway is set to by typing route and pressing ↵ Enter . The address next to "default" shows your default gateway, and the interface it is assigned to is displayed on the right side of the table.
    Advertisement
  3. If you have more than one default gateway set, you'll run into connection conflicts. Delete your existing default gateway if you intend to change it.
    • Type sudo route delete default gw IP Address Adapter . For example, to delete the default gateway 10.0.2.2 on the eth0 adapter, type sudo route delete default gw 10.0.2.2 eth0 .
  4. sudo route add default gw IP Address Adapter . For example, to change the default gateway of the eth0 adapter to 192.168.1.254, you would type sudo route add default gw 192.168.1.254 eth0 . [2] You'll be prompted for your user password in order to complete the command.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Editing Your Configuration File

PDF download Download Article
  1. Type sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces to open the file in the nano editor. Editing your configuration file will keep your changes every time the system restarts. [3]
  2. Find the section for the adapter you want to change the default gateway for. For a wired connection, this is usually eth0 .
  3. gateway IP Address to the section. For example, type gateway 192.168.1.254 to make the default gateway 192.168.1.254. [4]
  4. Press Ctrl + X and then Y to save your changes and exit.
  5. Restart your network by typing sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart . [5]
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Will the admins know if I change my IP?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if they chose to check.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 10
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Install Java on Linux
      A Complete Guide to Managing an iPod in Linux
      How to
      Install Google Chrome Using Terminal on Linux
      How to
      Mount Drives on Linux: Command Line & GUI
      Can Linux Run .exe Files? How to Run Windows Software on Linux
      How to
      Install and Use Wine on Linux
      How to
      Tar a Directory and Subdirectories in Linux
      How to
      Take a Screenshot in Linux
      How to
      Become Root in Linux
      How to
      Run an INSTALL.sh Script on Linux in 4 Easy Steps
      Easy Debian Linux Installation Tutorial
      How to
      Run Files in Linux
      How to
      Execute .RUN Files in Linux
      How to
      Run Linus from a USB: Making a Bootable Stick and Installing
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://linuxhint.com/how-to-open-ubuntu-terminal-keyboard-shortcuts/
      2. ↑ https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-setup-default-gateway-with-route-command/
      3. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkConfigurationCommandLine
      4. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkConfigurationCommandLine
      5. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkConfigurationCommandLine

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open a terminal window.
      2. Type "sudo route delete default gw (IP) (Adapter) " and press Enter .
      3. Type "sudo route add default gw (IP) (Adapter) " and press Enter .
      4. Open /etc/network/interfaces in a text editor.
      5. Update the gateway IP address for the adapter.
      6. Save your changes and exit the editor.
      7. Type "sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart" and press Enter .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,156,301 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement