How to Fix Same NIC Having Multiple IP Addresses in Windows

Over the past many years, I have accumulated a range of modems and routers. I even have a very old US Robotics data and fax modem that I got from my dad. I personally use TP-Link TD-W8901N ADSL modem with WiFi capabilities. But yesterday, when it stopped working, I had to switch to a previous configuration – D-Link ADSL wired modem with TP-Link WiFi router. The combination is a little messy, but it does the job perfectly well. But then came another problem – I could not access the ADSL modem interface via 192.168.1.1, even though internet was working well and I could access the WiFi router interface through 192.168.0.1 without any problems. So I opened the command prompt (cmd shell) and entered the command ipconfig to see two IP addresses assigned to the same NIC (network interface card).

Fix Multiple IP Address for Same NIC Problem

Clearly this was the source of the problem and it turned out to be a very easy problem to solve. Here is how you can solve the problem if you are also having a similar issue:

  1. Press the Win+R hotkey on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. In the Run dialog, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.Fix Multiple IP Address for Same NIC Problem
  2. This will open the Network Connections window where you can see all of your network interface cards. Right-click on the one you are using and select Properties from the context menu.Fix Multiple IP Address for Same NIC Problem
  3. In the properties window of the selected connection, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click on the Properties button.Fix Multiple IP Address for Same NIC Problem
  4. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and then click on the OK button. Close all the open windows by clicking on the OK or Close buttons.Fix Multiple IP Address for Same NIC Problem
  5. Now check again using the ipconfig command, now you should have only one IP address assigned to the NIC card.

Making the network assign an IP address for your NIC automatically clears all the previous IP address settings manually assigned for that NIC. Later on you can change the IP address manually for the target NIC in the step 4 above if you want.