FacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue On Mac

Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

When you don't have access to the internet, it can be very frustrating for everyone. If your Mac can't connect to the internet, you won't be able to access any servers that use an internet connection. This issue can occur when the user made major configuration changes to the system.

Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

The changes can be updating the macOS version, upgrading to a new version, switching to a new system, or restoring the whole system from a backup. When performing these kinds of configurations, settings might not migrate properly, creating problems.

Ethernet users can also experience such a problem. If in network settings, you see a message saying that "Ethernet has a self-assigned IP address and will not be able to connect to the internet," it means that the issue is a failure of DHCP on the cabled connection.

Don't worry, below you'll find ways how you can fix the issue with a self-assigned IP address on your Mac.

Video on Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Issue on Mac

Table of Contents:

Check Your Network Preferences

First, you'll need to check TCP/IP settings.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar.
2. Go to "System Preferences."
3. Find and go to Network settings.

To to Network

4. Click on the "Advanced" button.

Go to Advanced settings

5. Go to the TCP/IP tab.
 
If you see that Configure iPv4 is set to Using DHCP but Router is not set with any IP address, try the following method to fix the problem.

Check Network Preferences

[Back to Table of Contents]

Reset Network Configuration

This method will reset your network configurations.

1. Launch Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click on "Go" and then click on "Go to Folder."

To to Go To Folder

3. In the pop-up window enter the line: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

Go to System Configurations

4. Delete these files:

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
Networkinterface.plist
preferences.plist

Delete these files

5. Shut down your Mac and then power it back on.
6. Log in and connect your Wi-Fi.
7. Go to the TCP/IP setting again and check if the Router has an

Network connected

After your Mac restarts, it should recreate the files that you deleted.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Renew DHCP Lease

Try renewing your DHCP lease on your Mac.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar.
2. Go to "System Preferences."
3. Find and go to the "Network" settings.

Go to Network settings

4. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not selected automatically.
5. Click on the "Advanced" button.

Go to Advanced settings

6. Go to the TCP/IP tab.
7. Next to IPv4 Address line, find and click on the "Renew DHCP Lease" button.

renew-dhcp-lease

8. Click on "OK."

After the lease is renewed, check if you're able to connect to your network.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Create New Network Location

If renewing the DHCP lease didn't help, try creating a New Network Location and then renew the lease.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar.
2. Go to "System Preferences."
3. Find and go to the "Network" settings.

Go to Network

4. Next to "Location", click on the drop-down menu.

Go to Location drop down menu

5. Click on "Edit Locations."

Edit Location

6. Click on the + icon to add New Location.
7. Type in the name for the New Network Location.
8. Click on "Done."

Create New Location

9. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not selected automatically.
10. Click on the "Advanced" button.
11. Go to the TCP/IP tab.
12. Next to IPv4 Address line, find and click on the "Renew DHCP Lease" button.

Renew DHCP Lease

13. Click on "OK."

After the lease is renewed, check if you're able to connect to your network.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Reset The Firewall

As mentioned before, if you did any configuration changes to the system, your Mac's Firewall might have experienced configuration issues. Try to fix the problem by resetting the Firewall.

1. Launch Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click on "Go" and then click on "Go to Folder."

Go to Go To Folder

3. In the pop-up window, enter in: /Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/

Go to Macintosh HD Peferences

4. Delete file: com.apple.alf.plist

Reset Firewall by deleting file

5. Shut down your Mac and then power it back on.

After the system boots, if you are asked to allow access to numerous programs and services, choose depending on your preferences and then try to connect to your network.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Set Service Order

You can try to set the interface order that connects to the internet.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar.
2. Go to "System Preferences."
3. Find and go to the "Network" settings.

Go to Network

4. Click on the gear icon at the bottom next to the + and - buttons.

Click on the Gear icon

5. Click on "Set Service Order."

Set Service Order

6. Drag services to the top of the list.

Drag services to Set Service Order

If you're using Wi-Fi, select the Wi-Fi and drag it to the top.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Change DNS Servers

Try changing the DNS servers.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar.
2. Go to "System Preferences."
3. Find and go to the "Network" settings.

Go to Network

4. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not selected automatically.
5. Click on the "Advanced" button.
6. Go to the "DNS" tab.
7. Click on the + icon.

Go to DNS tab

8. Add these numbers:

  • 8.8.8.8
  • 8.8.4.4
  • 1.1.1.1
  • 9.9.9.9

9. Click on "OK."

Add DNS servers

If you're still having problems, please contact the Apple Support team.

If any of these methods helped, let us know in the comments!

[Back to Top]

▼ Show Discussion

About the author:

Karolina Peistariene

Author of how-to guides for Mac users. Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and presenting problem-solving solution articles related to macOS issues. Years of macOS experience combined with solid research and analyzing skills help Karolina provide readers with working and helpful solutions as well as introduce various features Mac has to offer. Contact Karolina Peistariene.

Our guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.

About PCrisk

PCrisk is a cyber security portal, informing Internet users about the latest digital threats. Our content is provided by security experts and professional malware researchers. Read more about us.

Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.