Switching IP addresses on WiFi during use
Switching IP addresses on WiFi during use
I’m facing a problem where my network intermittently drops while using Ethernet connections through my modem, router, and PC setup. I’ve had multiple ISP visits replacing cables and components, but the issue persists—sometimes it fixes itself, other times I encounter dropped frames or random disconnects. Recently, I turned off the Wi-Fi on the router to avoid interference and only used it for two PCs. I’m unsure what’s happening and need help diagnosing the problem without changing my setup. The signals and power levels look normal, so I’m questioning whether the modem itself is malfunctioning. Any suggestions on how to test or check further?
It seems the device might be automatically assigning fresh internal IP addresses to each connected gadget, whether via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This process is often referred to as DHCP leasing. I’m not an expert, but I think your router could be resetting each device’s IP temporarily, leading to a brief loss of connection until a new one is established. Please keep in mind this might not be the full picture.
It can occur several times daily during my shorter streaming sessions. It might happen at least once, but I’m unsure if it requires a new IP address. Why does it change while it’s active? Shouldn’t we wait until the network is idle? Is there a way to stop it from changing? It’s getting more frustrating, especially when something important happens and you end up with dropped frames and skipped content.
Without further details about your router, I can only offer general advice. You have two options: 1. As mentioned by Lurick, assign your PC a static IP address within your router’s subnet range (usually around xxxx.xxxx.xxxx to xxxx.xxxx.xxxx for a 255.255.255.0 mask). Set DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. If this resolves the issue, you may need to adjust your router settings later—such as disabling DHCP address assignment or narrowing the DHCP range—to avoid conflicts. 2. Open your router’s interface and review DHCP lease time settings. Set it to the standard 1440 minutes (24 hours) and try extending it to 10080 minutes (7 days). This can help if the problem persists. Long-term, you’ll need to research specific router models and operating systems for precise steps. Good luck!
Note your public IP using a search or tool like ipchicken.com, and record your current computer IP. After a brief interruption, verify both addresses again and observe any changes. This helps confirm the situation.
Reminder: Your ISP shouldn’t be able to see your router or connected devices, so they can’t detect an IP change. That seems suspicious.