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- How to Fix Windows 10 Ipconfig Not Working? Fixes Are Here!
By Aurelie | Follow |
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You must have run the ipconfig command when you are trying to troubleshoot some internet issues. Does this command always work properly? What to do when finding Windows 10 ipconfig not working? In this post on MiniTool Website, we have collected some effective workarounds for you.
Ipconfig Windows 10 Not Working
Ipconfig is a very useful command-line tool that enables you to know the status of all the network configurations in the computer. If it works fine, you can use it to get detailed information of all the network adapters, subnet mask, Device IP address, and gateway. What’s more, some of its variations can even help you to troubleshoot network issues.
It is frequently reported that the ipconfig not working issue appears when trying to run it. Some of you may receive such an error message:
Ipconfig is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Don’t worry! You can handle this issue easily with the guidelines in this post.
How to Fix Windows 10 Ipconfig Not Working?
First, please make sure that the command that you type is correct and you must give enough administrative privilege to run it. If the ipconfig command is still not working, try the following methods one by one until you fix this issue.
Fix 1: Use PowerShell as Alternative
Some PowerShell commands can work the same way as the ipconfig command. Therefore, if you want to get your IP address or IP configuration, PowerShell is also a good option for you.
Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon in the lower right corner of the screen and highlight Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Step 2. Type Get-NetIPConfiguration or Get-NetIPAddress and hit Enter.
Fix 2: Add Path Variables
The path variable function allows you to run executable files by adding the file location to the system path. Once a correct system path is not assigned, you will receive the message of ipconfig not working.
Step 1. Press Win + R at the same time to evoke the Run dialog.
Step 2. Type sysdm.cpl and hit Enter to open System Properties.
Step 3. In the Advanced tab, hit Environment Variables under Startup and Recovery.
Step 4. Find a variable named Path and double-click on it.
Step 5. Press New on the right pane and add a new path such as %SystemRoot%\system32.
Step 6. Hit OK and reboot your PC.
Tips:
If you cannot find a variable named Path, just hit New and name %SystemRoot%\system32 as Path in the New System Variable window.
Fix 3: Perform SFC and DISM Scans
If Windows 10 ipconfig is still not working after adding the path variables, there must be something wrong with its executable file. As soon as it is missing or corrupted, you will encounter ipconfig not working. In this case, you can fix the executable file by the SFC and DISM scanning. To do so:
Step 1. Type cmd in the search bar to locate Command Prompt and right-click on it to choose Run as administrator.
Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter to find if there is any system file integrity issue.
Step 3. After the process is done, run Command Prompt as administrator and run this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
Step 4. It will take about 15 minutes to scan, detect and repair the corrupted system files, please wait patiently. After the process is finished, run ipconfig in Command Prompt again to see if it works properly.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Aurelie is a passionate soul who always enjoys researching & writing articles and solutions to help others. Her posts mainly cover topics related to games, data backup & recovery, file sync and so on. Apart from writing, her primary interests include reading novels and poems, travelling and listening to country music.
ipconfig is a command line that shows the status of all the network configurations in the computer. ipconfig gives you the details of all the network adapters, Device IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. There are also other variations of this command that can be used to troubleshoot network issues.
Using the different variations of this command, users can flush DNS, release or renew the IP address for an adapter, modify the DHCP class id, and a lot more. All in all, it is the tool that provides solutions to numerous network issues.
In this article, we will suggest some fixes that you can use to resolve the “ipconfig not recognized” and other ipconfig-related errors.
It might sound silly but first of all, ensure that you have typed the command ipconfig correctly.
Moreover, administrator permission is also required while executing such commands. In such cases run the CMD with administrative rights.
Add Path Variables
The path variable function lets you run any executable files by adding file location to the system path. If a correct system path is not assigned then the “Ipconfig is not recognized..” message will appear on CMD.
To add the path variables follow these steps:
- Press Ctrl + R and type
sysdm.cpl
. - Click on the Advanced tab.
- You will see the Environment Variables button there. Click on it.
- On the new window, under system variables, you might find a variable named Path. Double click it to edit the variable.
- Now click on new to add a new path i.e.
%SystemRoot%\system32
- Click on Ok to save and restart the computer.
If you do not find a variable named Path as stated in step 4, perform these steps;
- Click on the New button.
- On the New System variable window, set the variable name as Path and enter this file path
%SystemRoot%\system32
. At last click on Ok to apply changes and restart the computer.
This will fix the issue for you to be able to use the ipconfig
command once again.
Run SFC and DISM Scans
Even after adding the path variables, if you are still unable to use the ipconfig
command tool, then there must be some issue with its executable file. It must be either missing or corrupted. This can happen if your system is affected by malware.
To ensure that the file is still in the system, go to %SystemRoot%\system32
or C:\Windows\System32
and check if there is an executable file under the name ipconfig.
In case you find the file missing or corrupted, you can use the system file checker tool to restore the files. To use this tool, follow these steps,
- Press Win + R. Type
CMD
and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. - Type the command
sfc /scannow
and hit enter. - This command will now start scanning the system and perform a repair if it finds any system file integrity issues.
- You can even use the DISM tool to fix the system files. Again, run the CMD with admin rights, paste this command, and then hit enter.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
It takes some time to scan and detect the issues in the system. Once it detects the faults on the system files, it repairs them and resolves the problem.
Use Powershell’s Alternative to Ipconfig
Powershell is a more powerful replacement for the Command prompt. It can do what CMD does and even better.
PowerShell boasts many alternatives for the ipconfig
command as well. Commands like Get-NetIPConfiguration
and Get-NetIPAddress
can give you better results than the ipconfig
.
To use these commands, use these steps,
- Press Win + R. Type Powershell then hit Enter.
- Now you can execute the PowerShell commands like
Get-NetIPConfiguration
andGet-NetIPAddress
If you’re using Windows 10 or a legacy version of Linux, you may have relied on the ipconfig (Internet Protocol Configuration) command line prompt to check the IP addresses assigned to your devices. It’s a versatile command, especially in Linux, where it can display Wi-Fi and Ethernet IP addresses. That makes it all the more frustrating when you get the dreaded “ipconfig Not Found” error.
This error can happen for several reasons, with the fixes being different depending on whether you’re using a Windows 10 or legacy Linux operating system.
Fixing ipconfig Not Found in Windows 10
In Windows 10, an ipconfig issue can manifest as either an “ipconfig not found” warning or an “ip config not recognized” alert. Either way, you’ve just lost a useful method for checking IP addresses, flushing Domain Name Servers (DNSs), and modifying various aspects of your Windows 10 PC.
There are three possible fixes for an “ipconfig not found” error in Windows 10.
Fix 1 – Use the Path Variable Function
With the path variable function, you can add file locations to a system path, giving you the ability to run executable files. That matters because an “ipconfig not found” error can result from the incorrect system path being assigned to the ipconfig function.
Fixing that issue is a case of adding the correct path variables.
- Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog box and type “
sysdm.cpl
.” - Hit “Enter” and select “System Properties.”
- Navigate to the “Advanced” tab.
- Find and click “Startup and Recovery,” which you’ll after clicking the “Environment Variables” button.
- Look for a variable called “Path” in the new window, and double-click it.
- Click “New” and type “
%SystemRoot%\system32
” to create a new path. - Select “OK” before restarting your computer.
After rebooting, you should find that your manually configured path allows the ipconfig command to work again. But you may also run into a problem when following these steps – the “Path” variable mentioned in the fifth step may not appear in the “Startup and Recovery” pop-up.
If that happens, you can create the Path variable and link its value to the ipconfig command with these steps:
- From the “Startup and Recovery” window, click “New.”
- Type “Path” as the “Variable name” in the popup box.
- Enter “
%SystemRoot%\system32
” into the “Variable value” textbox. - Hit “OK” and reboot your device.
Fix 2 – Perform DISM and SFC Scans
Sometimes, the ipconfig issue means there’s a problem with the executable file beyond wonky pathfinding. The file may be corrupted or missing, so configuring a new path won’t work because there’s nowhere for that path to go.
Fixing the broken or lost executable can resolve your ipconfig issue. And you can do that by running the SFC and DISM scanning tools:
- Navigate to your Windows search bar and type “cmd” to find the Command Prompt app.
- Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
- Type “
sfc/scannow
” and tap the “Enter” key to run a check for any integrity issues in your system. - After completing the process, repeat Step 1 and Step 2 to reopen Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
” and hit “Enter.”
Allow the process to run (it takes about 15 minutes) and it should detect and fix any corrupted executables or system files, including ipconfig. Once the scan finishes, type “ipconfig” into Command Prompt to see if it works again.
Fix 3 – Use Powershell
Using Microsoft Powershell isn’t technically a fix for the “ipconfig not found” issue. It’s a replacement, i.e., a way to get around the problem using what is essentially a more powerful version of the Command Prompt app. Its commands, such as “Get-NetIPConfiguration,” deliver more detailed results than the ipconfig command.
Using it is simple:
- Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog box.
- Type “
Powershell
” and open the app. - Type a Powershell command to check your IP address, such as “
Get-NetIPConfiguration
.”
This isn’t a perfect fix – you don’t get ipconfig back for your Windows 10 device. But as an alternative, it delivers better results and means you don’t have to mess around with creating new paths or fixing broken executables.
Fixing ipconfig Not Found in Linux
Older versions of Linux had the ipconfig command pre-installed, but a lack of maintenance led to most developers abandoning it as a defunct command. If you run into the “ipconfig not found” error in Linux, it usually means you’re running a new version of the operating system for which the command no longer exists.
But you can get your hands on it by installing the net-tools package.
Installing the net-tools package is a simple case of running a command, though the command differs depending on the version of Linux you have.
- Arch-Based Systems – Run “
sudo pacman -S net-tools
” - Debian and Ubuntu Systems or Derivatives – Run “
sudo apt install net-tools
” - RHEL, Fedora, and CentOS Systems – Run “
sudo dnf install net-tools
”
The relevant command for your system prompts Linux to install net-tools, which contains the ipconfig executable. Once installed, try running ipconfig from the command line to see if it works.
Running the Alternative to ipconfig in Linux
The main reason why you’ll run into the “ipconfig not found” error in Linux is that it (and the net-tools package) is considered “deprecated.” This means Linux developers collectively believe it to be out of date, so they’re no longer working on it.
Thankfully, the net-tools package was replaced by iproute2 in newer versions of Linux, which has a command that delivers the same output as the older ipconfig command delivered. Simply type “ip a” as a command and you should see an output displaying your Linux device’s IP address.
Solve Your ipconfig Woes
Running into the “ipconfig not found” error is annoying when all you want to do is check a device’s IP address. Still, it’s increasingly common, especially given that ipconfig is a legacy command that’s considered outdated on both Windows and Linux systems. In Windows, it’s replaced by the Powershell app, and its new command, whereas the iproute2 software suite replaces it in newer versions of Linux.
Uses of legacy systems, or in Linux’s case, those who just want to get access to ipconfig on a new operating system, have workarounds and fixes. Redownloading, fixing the path to ipconfig, and running scans to confirm the executable isn’t corrupted can all solve your “ipconfig not found” error.
Do you prefer to use ipconfig ahead of the new commands offered in Windows and Linux? How often did you use ipconfig before you ran into the “not found” issue? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Several users told us that the ipconfig /renew is not working for them. If they open a new Command Prompt and type ipconfig, they get the same old IP number.
If you are also facing a similar issue, this guide is for you.
What can I do if ipconfig /renew is not working?
1. Use troubleshooting tools
1.1 Run Windows Network Diagnostics
- Right-click on the internet connection icon in the Taskbar.
- Select Troubleshoot problems.
- The Windows Network Diagnostics tool will begin and will fix the problem.
1.2 Use internet troubleshooter
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Select Update & Security.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Under Incoming Connections, select Run the troubleshooter option.
Windows OS comes with a built-in troubleshooting tool that helps you diagnose and fix problems associated with the network.
Some users facing the ipconfig /renew not working issue reported that running the network troubleshooter helped them resolve the issue.
2. Reset TCP/IP
- Open the Start menu.
- Run command prompt as an admin.
- Type the below commands and press Enter after each one.
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart your PC.
Winsock settings if corrupted can often cause issues and could also result in the ipconfig /renew command not working problem.
You can try resetting the Winsock network infrastructure and check if this resolves the problem at your end or not.
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3. Reinstall the network adapter
- Press the Win + X key to open the context menu.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand the Network adapters section.
- Right-click on your network adapter and select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
- Open Device Manager again.
- Click on the Action menu at the top.
- Select Scan for hardware changes.
- Your system will install the drivers for your network adapter.
This is one way of reinstalling the network drivers for your network adapter as some file corruption can lead to the ipconfig/renew not working issue.
An alternate way of updating your drivers is using a third-party program called Outbyte Driver Updater. Using Outbyte Driver Updater, you can update all of the drivers with just a few clicks at once, create driver backup, and more.
⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater
4. Perform a system restore
- Open the Start menu.
- Type create a restore point and open it.
- Click on the System Restore button.
- Click on Choose a different restore point.
- Hit the Next button.
- Select the desired restore point and click Next.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to perform the restoration.
If nothing works, then it is best to restore your PC back to a state where everything was working normally. For such scenarios, you can make use of the system restore.
The ipconfig /renew command, when you execute this command in the Command Prompt, you are basically ordering your DHCP client to regenerate, renew, or renegotiate a new IP address from the DHCP server on your router.
Following the steps above you should be able to fix it when it’s not working. We also have a guide that will allow you to resolve the PC won’t acquire IP addresses issue. If your PC is facing issues contacting the DHCP client, then you can check out our article.
Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the problem at your end.
Sagar Naresh
Sagar is a web developer and technology journalist. Currently associated with WindowsReport and SamMobile. When not writing, he is either at the gym sweating it out or playing country music on his guitar.
He is an avid traveler and has been to 15 countries, going to more places soon. TRAVEL and WORK is his mantra for a peaceful life.
Are you attempting to run the ipconfig command on your Windows computer, instead you are confronted with the following error message instead:»ipconfig» is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. This article will show you how to resolve this issue.
What does the ipconfig command do?
The ipconfig displays all of the TCP/IP network configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) settings. This command is useful on computers that automatically attain an IP address. With this command users can establish which TCP/IP values have been configured by DHCP.
How to run the ipconfig command?
You need to launch the command prompt as administrator, to do so:
- Press the Windows key + X to display the Power User Menu of Windows and click on Command Prompt (Admin).
Now you are in the Command Prompt menu, follow these steps:
- Click on Start > Run
- Type the «cmd» command and press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to launch the command prompt as administrator.
- From there you can run the ipconfig /all command.
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