how to enable dhcp and connect to ethernet in windows 10

Enable DHCP in Windows 10

1: Firstly, on your desktop screen, press “Win + R” to start the run command box. Once opened, type in “ncpa.cpl”. This will take you to the network and sharing window.

2: Inside the Network and Sharing Window, right-click on the icon saying “Ethernet” and then tap on properties. If prompted by UAC, click YES.

3: Now, you have to scroll down in the properties box, and locate “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”. These play a significant role in how you use your internet. So be very careful whenever you are editing them manually. In our case, we don’t need much modification, rather a few clicks and we are done.

4: Double click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and check mark the following boxes: “Obtain an IP address automatically” and Obtain DNS server address automatically”. Once done click OK.

Also Read: How to Find Mac Address of your Windows 10 PC

5: For Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) do exactly the above steps and close the window.

Important: Whenever making such changes, ensure that your broadband router supports DHCP. A few router may have a control panel where you need to enable DHCP, but for most of the modern ones, they are enabled by default.

Short Instructions: Fast Method For Quick Learners via ncpa.cpl

If you’re already a little familiar with Windows 7, here are the instructions to enable or disable the DHCP in short (for more detailed instructions, scroll a little down)
1. Step Hit Windows key + R
2. Step Enter ncpa.cpl and hit Enter
3. Step Right-click your adapter, usually called “Ethernet” and click Properties
4. Step Scroll down, double-click Internet Procotol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
5. Step Select the option “Obtain an IP addres automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically”
6. Step Optionally, you may have to configure your router

Tip: Always make sure your broadband router actually supports DHCP. Most modern routers do, but don’t take it for granted. Some routers also have a control panel where you first may have to enable DHCP. Common routers like Linksys, Asus or Dell use the IP address 192.168.1.1 for its configuration panel. If that doesn’t work try changing the C Class IP (the third number from 1 to 0 or 2 and hit enter)

1 Network Properties: Right-Click Network Icon

Right-click on the “Network” icon on your desktop and click on “Properties”:

2 Local Area Connection: Click The Blue Link “Local Area Connection”

On the following screen you will get basic network information and see all of your current connections. One of the connections, should be called “Home network” (if you did not set it to something else, e.g. Work network).

• Click on “Local Area Connection”.

In some cases, the name will “Ethernet” or something else, but the layout always looks the same:

3 Connection Status: Click Properties Button

The status screen of your “Local Area Connection” will appear. Click on “Properties“:

4 LAN Properties: Double-Click Internet Protocol Version 4

Click “Ok” when prompted. Scroll down the list until you find the entry “Internet Protocol Version 4” and double-click on it. (as you can see the Internet Protocol 6 is currently unchecked, more about that later).

5 Internet Protocol 4 Properties: Enter IP Manually

Info: In the screenshot we have entered an IP manually. Most routers can assign the IP automatically, that’s why you should try to select the option “Obtain IP address automatically”

Next, you will find the settings that allow you to enable DHCP for your connection or disable it and retrieve a static IP. In this case I entered a fictive static IP:

We have the following entries that are important.

• a) Obtain an IP address automatically
• b) IP Address
• c) Subnet mask
• d) Default gateway
• e) Obtain DNS server address automatically
• f) “Use the following DNS server addresses”
• g) Preferred DNS server

To enable DHCP, you have to make sure to check the options a) and e). That’s how you tell your router to automatically find the addresses provided by the DHCP. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and is basically a protocol to retrieve IP addresses automatically and that’s exactly what we want to do, right?

Still no dice? You may have to configure your router. Open your web browser and enter this into the address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1, or Google your router manufacturer e.g. CISCO and “192.168” Next Configure your router to automatically assign an IP via DHCP (turned on by default)

Disable DHCP

If you want to disable DHCP instead of enabling it, you can enter a static IP. In your router manual, you will find the default IP gateway. Write it down or remember it. Then enter the IP into the field d) and g). Copy the gateway address from your manual again and enter it into the field IP address, but the last field should be a random number other than the default gateway IP.
Example:

• You router gateway IP could be:192.168.5.1
• Then you enter the IP address:192.168.5.xxx (every other number other than the one defined by your router, in this case “1”)