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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.
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Steps
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Navigate to the desktop and press the Windows + X keys. This will open the Power User Task menu.- If you're using an older version of Windows, jump to instructions for Windows 7, Vista , and Windows XP ,
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Click on “Network Connections,” then select either “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi,” based on your Internet connection type. This will open the network connection status window.Advertisement -
Click on “Properties,” then select “Internet Protocol Version 4. ” -
Click on “Properties,” then place checkmarks next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically. ” -
Click on “OK,” then close the network connection status window. DHCP will now be enabled on your Windows 10 or Windows 8 computer. [1] X Research source
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Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences. ” This will open the System Preferences menu. -
Click on “Network,” then select your Internet connection type from the left pane. For example, if using an Ethernet Internet connection, select “Ethernet.” -
Click on the dropdown menu next to “Configure IPv4” and select “Using DHCP. ” -
Click on “Apply,” then close the System Preferences window. DHCP will now be enabled.
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Click on the Start menu and select “Control Panel. ” This will open the Control Panel menu. -
Click on “Network and Sharing Center,” then click on “Local Area Connection” under “View your active networks. ” This will open the Local Area Connection Status window. -
Click on “Properties,” then select “Internet Protocol Version 4. ” -
Click on “Properties,” then place checkmarks next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically. ” -
Click on “OK,” then close the network connection status window. DHCP will now be enabled on your Windows 7 or Windows Vista computer. [2] X Research source
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Click on the Start menu and select “Control Panel. ” This will open the Control Panel menu. -
Double-click on “Network Connections,” or “Network and Internet Connections. ” -
Right-click on “Local Area Connection,” then click on “Properties. ” -
Click on “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),” then click on “Properties. ” -
Place checkmarks next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically. ” -
Click on “OK. ” DHCP will now be enabled.
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