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How to set up a static IP address for a device on your business network

Network & Internet KB-219

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up a static IP address for a device on your business network. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Assigning a static IP address to a device on your business network ensures it always uses the same address. This is essential for equipment like printers, network-attached storage (NAS), servers, and security cameras that other devices and staff need to reach consistently. Without a static IP, your router may hand out a different address each time the device reconnects, which can break access and cause frustrating downtime.

This guide walks you through reserving an address on your router and configuring the device itself. The process generally takes around 10 to 15 minutes.

Before You Begin

Gather the following information before making any changes. You can find most of these details by checking another device already connected to your network.

Tip: Choose an address that sits outside your router's automatic allocation range. Most routers hand out addresses starting from 192.168.0.100 or 192.168.1.100, so picking something like 192.168.0.200 reduces the chance of conflicts.

Step 1: Reserve the Address on Your Router

Reserving an address tells your router to always hand the same IP to a specific device. This is the cleanest method because it leaves DHCP running for everything else.

  1. Open a web browser and type your router's gateway address into the address bar.
  2. Sign in with your router admin username and password.
  3. Look for a section labelled DHCP Reservation, Address Reservation, or Static DHCP. Common locations include LAN Settings, Network, or Advanced.
  4. Select Add New or click an existing device from the connected clients list.
  5. Enter the device's MAC address and the IP address you want to reserve for it.
  6. Save the entry. The device may need to reconnect for the reservation to take effect.
Tip: Router interfaces vary between brands such as TP-Link, Netgear, Asus, and Ubiquiti. If you cannot find the reservation option, check the manufacturer's support site or open a ticket and we will point you in the right direction.

Step 2: Configure the Device

After reserving the address on the router, configure the device to use it. The steps differ depending on the operating system.

Windows 10 or 11

  1. Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click your active network adapter and choose Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  4. Choose Use the following IP address and enter your static IP, subnet mask, and default gateway.
  5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter your preferred and alternate DNS servers.
  6. Click OK, then Close.
  7. Restart the device if prompted.

macOS (Ventura or Later)

  1. Open System Settings and select Network.
  2. Select your active connection, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  3. Click Details next to the connection name.
  4. Select the TCP/IP tab.
  5. Change Configure IPv4 from Using DHCP to Manually.
  6. Enter your static IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
  7. Click OK, then Apply.

Network Printers and Other Devices

Most printers, NAS units, and cameras let you set a static IP through their built-in web interface. The process is similar across devices:

  1. Print a configuration page or check the device label to find its current IP address.
  2. Type that address into a web browser.
  3. Sign in and navigate to Network Settings or TCP/IP.
  4. Switch from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual or Static.
  5. Enter the reserved IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS.
  6. Save and restart the device.
Important: Avoid assigning an address that is already in use. Two devices sharing the same IP will cause intermittent connectivity issues that can be tricky to diagnose. If you are unsure, ping the address from another computer first using ping 192.168.0.200 in Command Prompt or Terminal.

Step 3: Verify the Configuration

Once the device is set up, confirm everything is working as expected.

  1. From another computer on the network, open Command Prompt or Terminal.
  2. Type ping followed by the new static IP address and press Enter.
  3. You should see replies without any packet loss.
  4. Try accessing any services the device provides, such as printing a test page or opening the camera feed.

Troubleshooting

The device cannot reach the internet

Double-check the subnet mask, gateway, and DNS entries. A common mistake is entering the gateway address in the DNS field, or vice versa. Confirm each value matches what your router uses.

Another device loses connectivity

An IP conflict is the most likely cause. Run arp -a from Command Prompt or Terminal to see which MAC address is currently using the static IP. If a different device appears, remove the conflict by either changing the static address or releasing the duplicate lease.

The router keeps handing out a different address

Confirm the reservation was saved correctly and that you matched the MAC address exactly, including colons or hyphens. Some routers also require you to reboot after adding a reservation.

If you are still stuck, our team can help. Open a Ticket with the device make and model, and we will guide you through the rest.

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Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

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