Renewing your IP address often fixes minor glitches and connectivity issues. Your Mac will ask your DHCP server—often your Wi-Fi router—for a new IP address and connect using either the same one or a new one, depending on the details your router provides.

To find these settings, click the “Apple” icon in the upper-right corner of the menu bar, and select “System Preferences.”

apple menu and system preferences

Click “Network” in the System Preferences window.

network settings

Choose the appropriate network and click the “Advanced” button. This works with both wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections.

advanced connectivity settings

The next screen should default to the Wi-Fi tab. Choose “TCP/IP” instead, just to the right of it.

tcp/ip settings

Click the “Renew DHCP License” button and then click “OK” once the renewal is complete. Clicking this button instructs your Mac to obtain new routing information from the DHCP server.

renew dhcp lease mac

Resetting this could improve your Mac’s connectivity, especially if you’ve recently changed router settings.

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Profile Photo for Bryan Clark Bryan Clark
Bryan has worked in journalism and publishing for more than 15 years. For the last 10 years, he's covered the technology beat, including gadgets, social media, security, and web culture. Before working as a freelancer, Bryan was the Managing Editor for The Next Web. These days he spends his time at a number of publications, both online and off, including The New York Times, Popular Science, and The Next Web, among others.
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