How to Use Ipconfig for Network Troubleshooting

If you’re troubleshooting internet problems in Windows, one of the first tools to use is ipconfig.

What it does:

• Shows your IP address (your computer’s ID on the network).
• Displays the Subnet Mask (defines your network range).
• Lists the Default Gateway (your router’s address).

Why it matters:

• If your IP starts with 169.254, your computer isn’t talking to the router.
• If the Default Gateway is missing, you can’t reach the internet.
• Running ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew can fix many DHCP problems.

Quick tip:
Always document what you find. Example:

“Ran ipconfig, saw 169.254.x.x, renewed IP, user now online with 192.168.1.105.”

Simple, quick, and one of the best first steps in network troubleshooting.