If you’ve ever wondered whether your IP address stays the same or can change over time, you’re not alone. Understanding how and why IP addresses change is essential for anyone using the internet — whether at home, work, or on the go.
In this article you’ll learn how IP addresses are assigned, why they might change, how often that happens, and what you can do about it.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) acts like a numeric mailing address for your device when it connects to the internet. Every time you send or receive data online, that address tells networks where to direct the traffic. It comes in two main versions: IPv4 and IPv6 — with IPv4 still dominant for most home users.
When you connect your computer, phone, or router to your internet service provider (ISP), your device receives a public IP address. That address can be used by websites and services to identify your connection’s origin. Because it plays a key role in routing traffic, whether or not it changes is an important question.
Static vs. Dynamic IP: The Fundamental Difference
One major factor governing whether your IP address changes is the type of assignment your ISP uses. The two categories are:
Static IP address
A static IP remains the same over time unless the network administrator or ISP makes a change. These are common for servers, businesses, or devices that need consistent access from external networks.
Dynamic IP address
Most home internet users have dynamic IPs. These are assigned temporarily and can change when the lease expires, when equipment resets, or when the network experiences changes.
Understanding which type you have gives insight into how often you might see your public IP shift.
Do IP Addresses Change? Yes — But Not Always
For many home users, your IP can and will change — but it may not happen as often as you think. Several factors determine whether a change occurs:
- Your ISP’s network policies and the size of its IP pool
- Whether you’re assigned a static or dynamic IP
- Events such as router reboots, network outages, or a change in your service location
- The lease time of the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) assignment
So yes — IP addresses do change, but whether yours changes quickly, slowly, or hardly at all depends on many variables.
How Often Do IP Addresses Change?
Quantifying “how often” your IP changes can be tricky, but recent data offer useful insights.
In one study, about 1.3% of IPv4 addresses changed cities every day, 16% changed in a month, and 44% changed over a year. Another measure found that for many residential users, despite being theoretically dynamic, the same IP can persist for several months because the router keeps renewing its lease.
For example, if you reboot your modem after the DHCP lease ends, you might instantly get a new IP — or you could keep the same one if it’s still available and recycled.
In short: Some users rarely see changes, others might see them more frequently — especially if network circumstances cause it.
Why Do IP Addresses Change?
Here are the primary reasons:
Efficient use of IP pools
ISPs manage large blocks of IP addresses and often assign them dynamically to optimize utilization. When one customer disconnects, that IP can get reassigned to another.
Lease expiry or DHCP renewal
Your device is given an IP for a lease period. Once the lease expires, the ISP may assign the same IP or a completely different one. If your modem goes offline during the renewal, the change may happen.
Change of location or ISP
If you physically move your residence or switch internet providers, your IP will almost certainly change. Even staying with the same ISP but moving to a different network segment often triggers a new IP.
Network maintenance or outages
If your ISP does infrastructure upgrades, resets, or you have a power outage that disconnects your modem, your next IP might differ.
Policy or service change
If you request a static IP, upgrade your service, or your ISP changes your plan, your IP assignment type may shift from dynamic to static (or vice versa). That can lead to a change.
Understanding these helps you anticipate when and why your IP might change, and whether you should act.
What It Means For You As a User
Knowing your IP may change has practical implications.
Remote access and hosting
If you’re hosting servers, remote desktops, or services that rely on your connection being reachable, a changing IP can disrupt them. That’s why businesses often purchase static IPs.
Security and tracking
Websites, services, and security tools use IP addresses to help identify users and networks. A dynamic IP means your “online identity” isn’t fixed — which can offer both privacy benefits and complications for consistent access.
Geolocation implications
Since IP addresses can tie to regional networks, a changed IP might show a different city, state, or even country in some geolocation services. This can affect content access, streaming services, or region-locked features. Data shows a portion of IPs do shift city over time.
Troubleshooting connectivity issues
If your IP changes and you’re experiencing unexpected network behavior, the shift might be the cause. For example, you were relying on a particular IP in your firewall rules. Rebooting your modem to force an IP change can sometimes fix issues.
How to Check If Your IP Changed
It’s simple to keep tabs on your public IP.
- Use a “What’s my IP” site before and after an event like a modem reboot or power loss.
- Record your IP over time to see if it remains stable or fluctuates.
- Log into your router’s status page — often the router will show the WAN IP and lease renewal information.
- Check if your ISP offers a static IP option — if it does, your public IP should stay the same across reboots and disconnects.
What to Do If You Need a Stable IP
If you determine that your connection’s IP changes too often and you need consistency, here are some options.
Request a static IP from your ISP
Communicate with your internet provider — many offer fixed IP assignments, especially for business or professional home users. While they cost more, they guarantee the same address.
Use Dynamic DNS (DDNS)
If a static IP isn’t feasible, DDNS lets you assign a domain name to your changing IP. When your ISP changes the address, the DDNS service updates the record automatically so you can still reach your network using a consistent hostname.
Minimize disconnections and power cycles
Since IP changes often occur when your modem restarts or network reconnects, keeping your hardware online continuously reduces the chance of change. Also, avoid switching routers or ISPs frequently.
Monitor your lease and service environment
If you notice whenever you reboot the router you lose your IP, you may have a short lease time. Ask your ISP about extending the lease length or understanding the policy for your service tier.
Myth-Busting: Facts vs Misconceptions
Here are some common misconceptions.
“My IP never changes so I must have a static IP.”
Not necessarily. You may have a dynamic IP that just hasn’t changed yet because your modem stayed online and the lease kept renewing without effecting a shift.
“Changing devices changes my IP.”
Unless you change your modem or network segment, the public IP is tied to the connection by your ISP — not each individual device. Switching a laptop from Wi-Fi to wired may not change the IP at all.
“My IP changes at every reboot.”
Not always true. Some ISPs assign you the same IP again after reboot if the lease is still valid and the pool has not reallocated it.
“An IP change means someone else now uses my old address.”
Often yes — when your IP’s lease ends, it goes back into the pool and could be reassigned to another customer. That’s standard for dynamic IP systems.
Final Thoughts
Yes, IP addresses do change — for most residential internet users, your ISP assigns a dynamic address that can shift under several circumstances. The frequency of change depends on the lease policy, network events, your location, and whether you’ve moved or restarted equipment. If you need a stable address for hosting, remote access, or business continuity, ask your provider for a static IP or use a dynamic DNS workaround. Understanding how your connection is set up helps you stay in control of when and why your IP might shift.
With over 30 years in network writing and explaining internet technology, I’ve helped thousands of users make sense of these behind-the-scenes details. Armed with this knowledge, you’re now well-equipped to monitor, manage, or request the right IP setup for your needs.