How to Set a Static IP Address (Windows, Mac, Router)

Some devices work best when their local address never changes — printers, NAS drives, game consoles you've set up port forwarding for, home servers. There are two ways to get that stability, and one of them is clearly better.

The better way: DHCP reservation (do this if you can)

Instead of configuring each device, tell the router to always hand a device the same address:

1. Log into your router (find its IP).
2. Open the DHCP / LAN settings and find reservations (sometimes "static leases" or "address binding").
3. Pick the device from the client list (or enter its MAC address) and assign the IP you want.
4. Reconnect the device once.

The device keeps automatic configuration, the router guarantees the address, and you'll never cause an IP conflict. Manage everything from one screen.

Device-side static IP: Windows

1. Settings → Network & internet → your connection → Properties.
2. Under IP assignment, click Edit → Manual → enable IPv4.
3. Enter: IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.50), subnet mask 255.255.255.0 (what this means), gateway (your router, e.g. 192.168.1.1), and DNS (router IP, or 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8 — see DNS explained).

Device-side static IP: Mac

1. System Settings → Network → your connection → Details.
2. TCP/IP tab → Configure IPv4: Manually.
3. Enter the same four values as above, then set DNS on the DNS tab.

Choosing a safe address

• Stay in your network's range (match the first three numbers of your current setup).
• Keep static addresses outside the DHCP pool — check the pool range in the router (commonly .100–.200) and pick below it.
• Never use the router's own address or .255.

Static local vs static public

Everything above concerns your local address. Your public IP (check it here) is your ISP's to assign — making that static is a paid ISP service, covered in static vs dynamic IPs.

Frequently asked questions