The situation when a mobile phone or laptop persistently displays "obtaining IP address" and then returns a connection error a minute later is familiar to many. This is a standard protocol issue. DHCP, which is responsible for automatically distributing network addresses on your local network. If this automatic mechanism fails, the device simply doesn't know where to send internet requests.
The causes may lie in either a software glitch in the router itself or a settings conflict on the connected device. Sometimes the router simply "forgets" to assign an address due to a pool overflow or a service freeze. In other cases, the problem lies in encryption incompatibility or outdated network adapter drivers.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at why address conflicts occur and how to force the network to work. We'll cover everything from a simple reboot to manually entering static parameters in Windows and Android settings.
How DHCP Works and Why Does the Process Hang?
Protocol DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is your network's manager. When you connect to Wi-Fi, your device broadcasts a request: "Who's in charge? Give me an address!" The router, acting as a server, must respond with a data packet containing the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.
If the router is overloaded with multiple simultaneous connections or its RAM is full of errors, it may ignore the request. Another common cause is a misalignment of the address lease time. The device "thinks" its address is still valid, but the router has already leased it to someone else.
⚠️ Note: If your router has been running for several years without a reboot, its ARP address table may be full. This is a common reason why new devices can't see the network, even though older devices work fine.
It's important to understand the difference between obtaining an IP address and actually accessing the internet. If the status changes to "Connected," but pages don't load, the problem lies with the DNS or ISP. If the status remains "Obtaining IP address," the connection between the device and the router has failed.
Basic steps: reboot and check the cable
Before delving into the intricacies of settings, it's important to rule out simple hardware failures. Electronics tend to accumulate errors in the clipboard. Simply powering off the router clears its RAM and restarts all network services, including the DHCP server.
If you're using a wired connection or your router is connected to your ISP modem via cable, check the physical integrity of the line. A damaged WAN cable can cause packet loss, preventing the ISP's response from reaching the router, which prevents it from generating an address for your device.
Follow these steps:
- 🔌 Completely power off the router by unplugging the cord from the outlet and wait at least 30 seconds.
- 📡 Turn off Wi-Fi on the problematic device and turn it back on a minute after turning on the router.
- 🔍 Check the indicators on the case: is the WAN/Internet light on and is the Wi-Fi indicator active.
Forgetting the network on your phone often helps. Go to Wi-Fi settings, select your network, and press Forget the network or DeleteThis will force the smartphone to request a new IP address from scratch, ignoring old, possibly conflicting settings.
Setting up a static IP address on Android and iOS
If automatic IP address acquisition doesn't work, the most reliable method is to enter the parameters manually. This is called a static IP. You'll need to know the gateway address (usually the router's address, such as 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
On Android, go to Wi-Fi settings, tap the gear icon or arrow next to your network. Find the option IP settings and switch from DHCP on StaticIn the IP address field, enter a free address. For example, if the router is 192.168.1.1, then give the device 192.168.1.150.
On iOS (iPhone/iPad) the algorithm is similar: tap the blue icon (i) next to the network name. In the IP Setting section, select ManuallyFill in the fields:
- 📍 IP address: for example,
192.168.1.55. - 🚪 Router (gateway): the address of your router (often
192.168.1.1). - 📏 Subnet mask: usually
255.255.255.0.
After saving the settings, the device should connect immediately. If the error persists, the issue isn't with the address being issued, but with authorization or the signal.
☑️ Checking manual settings
Windows Troubleshooting: Network and Driver Reset
In the operating system Windows 10 And Windows 11 The problem often lies in the network protocol cache. Service WLAN AutoConfig may not work properly. First, try the built-in diagnostic tool: right-click the network icon and select "Troubleshoot."
A more radical and effective method is a complete network reset. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) as administrator and enter the following command:
netsh winsock resetThen reset TCP/IP:
netsh int ip resetAfter this, be sure to restart your computer. You should also check the wireless adapter drivers. Go to device Manager, find the section Network adapters, select your Wi-Fi module (often labeled "Wireless," "802.11," or "Wi-Fi") and select "Uninstall device." After rebooting, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
⚠️ Important: When uninstalling the driver, make sure you have access to the Internet via a cable or other source so that the system can download updates if the built-in driver is not sufficient.
Router settings: address pool and filters
If the problem occurs on all devices, then the issue lies with the router settings. Go to the web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). You need the section LAN or DHCP Server.
Check the address pool size. If the range is too small (for example, only 10 addresses), and you have many smart bulbs, phones, and laptops, there may not be enough space for new devices. Expand the range, for example, with 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200.
Also check for MAC address filtering. If "Allow list" mode is enabled, only devices whose MAC addresses have been manually entered into the table will be able to connect. New devices will show as "obtaining an IP address" but will not be granted access.
Main parameters to check:
- ✅ DHCP server status: must be On (Enable).
- ⏳ Lease Time: Try reducing it to 120 minutes or 1 day to release addresses faster.
- 🚫 MAC address filter: Make sure it is not blocking your device.
What is an IP address conflict?
A conflict occurs when two devices on the same network are assigned the same IP address. The router loses track of where to send data and blocks the connection of both devices. The solution is to reboot the router or manually change the IP address on one of the devices.
Table: Comparison of solution methods
To help you choose a repair strategy, use the following table, which matches symptoms with the most likely solution.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution method | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Error on one device | Crash in the OS or client drivers | Forget network / Reset network | Low |
| Error on all devices | The router's DHCP server is frozen. | Rebooting the router | Low |
| Only old devices are connected | The address pool is full | Extending the DHCP range | Average |
| Infinite IP acquisition | Encryption conflict or MAC filter | Wi-Fi Security Check | High |
Specific Issues: WPA3 and Frequency Bands
Modern security standards can cause problems with older devices. If you have enabled the "Secure Mode" feature on your router, WPA3 or mixed mode WPA2/WPA3, some gadgets may not correctly complete the handshake procedure, getting stuck at the IP acquisition stage.
Try temporarily changing the encryption method to classic WPA2-PSK (AES)This is the most compatible standard. It's also worth experimenting with the channel width. Setting the channel width 20 MHz instead of 40 or 80 MHz can improve connection stability in noisy environments.
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces are constantly being updated. The menu items may differ from those described. Look for sections labeled "Wireless," "Security," or "WLAN."
If all else fails, there may be a hardware failure in the Wi-Fi module in the router or receiver. In this case, the only solution is to replace the hardware or use a USB Wi-Fi adapter for your PC.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Why does my phone keep saying "Obtaining IP address" endlessly?
This means that the device's request is being broadcast, but the router's response isn't received or is lost. Most often, the router is frozen and unable to process new requests, or the device's date and time settings are incorrect, which violates security protocols.
Can antivirus block IP address acquisition?
Yes, some aggressive firewall settings in antivirus software (for example, Kaspersky or ESET) may classify DHCP requests as suspicious activity and block them. Try temporarily disabling network protection.
What if static IP doesn't work either?
If even manually entering the address doesn't provide access, the problem is deeper. Check that the gateway (router address) is entered correctly. If the gateway is correct but there's no internet, it's possible that the router isn't connected to the ISP or its WAN port is damaged.
Does Wi-Fi password length affect IP address acquisition?
The password itself doesn't have any effect, but if the password contains special characters that the device doesn't encode correctly, the authorization process may be interrupted at the handshake stage, simulating an IP error. Try simplifying the password, using only letters and numbers.
How to find out the MAC address for filtering?
On Android: Settings → About phone → General information. On Windows: Command Prompt → ipconfig /all. Routers often have a Client List, which displays all connected MAC addresses.