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
    2015-01-19T13:52:45+00:00

    If the system gives this message it should know what IP address are conflicting.  Microsoft should make this message include those details.  Otherwise, it's a worthless annoyance.  I have one computer connected to my cell phone hot spot.  So, I have no idea how I would have a conflict.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-27T09:40:10+00:00

    I got the same message when my sister's smartphone connects to my router's wifi. I just ignore it because I am able to know if someone else has connected to my router's wireless network other than my sister's smartphone.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-27T03:04:47+00:00

    This issue has just crept up in the past week or so.  I use my W7 machine for media center and it streams the TV from a HD home run over gigabit ENET.  When the machine detects the ip address conflict it stops all the recording, so now my whole setup is garbage!  Nothing records reliably, and when watching shows on my xbox as an extender it is constantly quitting reporting connection issues.  I've assigned a static IP address, disconnected other PCs in the house, installed a different NIC, everything and NOTHING is working.  I installed W7 on this machine early this year and it's worked fine since, must have been a dreaded update.

    When I called Microsoft they want to bill me for support.  To whom do I turn, this is a Microsoft issue (and they just ignore the paying customers who pay their salary.)

    Anyone have any idea how to fix this????

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-05T17:51:09+00:00

    @csmbrunno01.......so you're suggesting that whoever has this message on the screen as been hacked or in some way accessed from outside? (just asking......not arguing)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments