Windows has detected an IP address conflict

Anonymous
2009-09-22T07:04:32+00:00

I just recently purchased my laptop so I am just learning. The message I got on the computer said, Another computer on this network has the same IP address as this computer. Contact your network administrator for help resolving this issue. More details are available in the Windows System event log. What does this mean and is this something important I need to fix. I would appreciate any help in this matter.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-09-22T08:22:55+00:00

I see that message on my home network sometimes, and it's not critical.  If you have a home network, try powering off your router, waiting a few seconds, and powering it on.  If you're on a business network, consult with the network manager.


Steve Winograd, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience)

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

113 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2013-01-02T06:40:47+00:00

    I thought I had this error fixed, but a few weeks ago it started back again. Now I will be connected and my connection will terminate and the error will pop up again. I am able to reconnect but it stays connected for a while and then same thing happens again. I have tried all the reset steps numerous times with no good results. Please help Microsoft, this has to be a glitch in the OS...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-28T06:15:55+00:00

    I am having the same problem and I suspect the IP address conflict message is being generated by windows when it detects a USB modem that has been moved to a different computer or router.

    Maybe clearing windows cache or something of that sort may help

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T01:27:31+00:00

    I've been having the same problem for months - but ONLY at my home network...have tried everything suggested but all seems hopeless :(

    I have had some recent issues and found an option that may be helpful. I cannot take credit, nor do I accept the blame if it fails, this post is to simply help, with a solid solution.

    In Windows go to Start> All Programs> Accessories> 'right click' on Command Prompt= Run As Administrator

    In cmd type

    netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt

    This reset command is ran, it rewrites two registry keys that are used by TCP/IP. This has the same result as removing and reinstalling the protocol. The reset command rewrites the following two registry keys:

    SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\

    SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DHCP\Parameters\

    When ok Restart


    If still more problems try

    In Windows go to Start> All Programs> Accessories> 'right click' on Command Prompt= Run As Administrator

    Restore the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security policy to the default policy. The current active policy can be optionally exported to a specified file. In a Group Policy object, this command returns all setting to not configured and deletes all connection security and firewall rules.

    netsh advfirewall reset

    Reset IPv6 configuration to default state

    netsh int ipv6 reset

    (requires a restart) if proceeding with next step can restart after Winsock

    Reset Winsock Catalog to a default state. All Winsock Layered Service Providers which were previously installed must be reinstalled. This command does not affect Winsock Name Space Provider entries

    netsh winsock reset

    (requires a restart)

    ** note I have not needed to reinstall Winsock Layered Service Providers, my computer is personal/light work use

    These may help or they may not, there simply is not enough information or access to find solutions, to these problems without paying expensive repair fees.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2012-10-04T10:58:16+00:00

    Have received that message for years, and as you said  it has not cause any performance problems on my systems network, so I have just disregarded it.  Looked up all my systems IP addresses, and they are all different, so who knows why that message appears?

    There's no "performance" issues in terms of speed but this stops the VPN from connecting which stops me from working.  So yes, there is an impact.   The usual release, refresh, flushdns rarely works.  Usually my only option is to reboot.

    I just had my companys IT dept reimage my hard drive and that didn't work either.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments