How to Enable DHCP

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A simple guide to turning on DHCP on your Windows or Mac computer
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Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network protocol that allows a server to automatically assign an IP address to your computer. Enabling DHCP can help prevent configuration errors by assigning a unique IP address to your computer, as well as prevent loss of service due to sharing the same IP address with another computer on your network.

Things You Should Know

  • On Windows, open Network Connections, click your connection, expand its TCP/IP properties, then click "Obtain an IP address automatically."
  • On a Mac, open the Network panel of System Preferences, click your connection, select "Using DHCP" from the menu, and then click "Apply."
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Windows 10 and 8

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Enable-DHCP-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Enable-DHCP-Step-1.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the Power User Task menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Enable-DHCP-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Enable-DHCP-Step-2.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the network connection status window.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Enable-DHCP-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Enable-DHCP-Step-3.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Enable-DHCP-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Enable-DHCP-Step-4.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click on “Properties,” then place checkmarks next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically. ”
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Enable-DHCP-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Enable-DHCP-Step-5.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    DHCP will now be enabled on your Windows 10 or Windows 8 computer. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Mac OS X

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Enable-DHCP-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Enable-DHCP-Step-17.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ” This will open the System Preferences menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Enable-DHCP-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Enable-DHCP-Step-18.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For example, if using an Ethernet Internet connection, select “Ethernet.”
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Enable-DHCP-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Enable-DHCP-Step-19.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Enable-DHCP-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Enable-DHCP-Step-20.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    DHCP will now be enabled.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Windows 7 and Vista

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Enable-DHCP-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Enable-DHCP-Step-6.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ” This will open the Control Panel menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Enable-DHCP-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Enable-DHCP-Step-7.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ” This will open the Local Area Connection Status window.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Enable-DHCP-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Enable-DHCP-Step-8.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Enable-DHCP-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Enable-DHCP-Step-9.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click on “Properties,” then place checkmarks next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically. ”
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Enable-DHCP-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Enable-DHCP-Step-10.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    DHCP will now be enabled on your Windows 7 or Windows Vista computer. [2]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Windows XP

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Enable-DHCP-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Enable-DHCP-Step-11.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ” This will open the Control Panel menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Enable-DHCP-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Enable-DHCP-Step-12.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Enable-DHCP-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Enable-DHCP-Step-13.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Enable-DHCP-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Enable-DHCP-Step-14.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Enable-DHCP-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Enable-DHCP-Step-15.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ”
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Enable-DHCP-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-DHCP-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Enable-DHCP-Step-16.jpg\/aid6841986-v4-728px-Enable-DHCP-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    ” DHCP will now be enabled.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001048.htm
      2. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-tcp-ip-settings#1TC=windows-7

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