Why Your IP Address Won't Change

You unplugged the router hoping for a new IP but see the exact same address. Here is why IPs stick and how to break the pattern.

3-Line Summary

1Diagnose why the same public IP persists after unplugging the modem.
2Explain ISP DHCP lease time and device identification.
3Share tricks to force a new public IP assignment.

ISP DHCP Lease Time

Dynamic home IPs are leased. The ISP DHCP server assigns an address with a lease time, often 2–24 hours. After half the lease, the router automatically requests renewal. A brief 1–2 minute reboot is often too short — the server extends the same IP because it still considers the lease valid.

MAC Address Mapping at the ISP

ISP equipment records the MAC address of your modem or router. Even after a full power off, if the MAC session has not expired the ISP recognizes the same device and restores the previous IP on reboot.

The Reliable Fix: Change MAC Address

Make the ISP think a new device connected by changing MAC address. 1. Open router admin at `192.168.0.1`. 2. Go to Internet connection settings. 3. Enable MAC address clone or edit the last hex digit. 4. Apply and save — the ISP often assigns a completely new public IP immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Usually not that long — sessions often expire in tens of minutes to a few hours. Powering off overnight and reconnecting in the morning usually yields a new IP with high probability.

The laptop's network card MAC and the router WAN port MAC differ. The ISP treats a direct connection as a different device and may assign a separate public IP.

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