IP Address Conflict

Problem
Two or more devices are assigned the same IP address on the network.

Symptoms

• IP address conflict message.

• Network disconnects.

• Unable to access the internet.

• Intermittent network connectivity.

• One of the two conflicting devices loses connection while the other keeps working.

Possible Causes

• Duplicate static IP addresses.

• DHCP server configuration errors.

• Router malfunction.

• Manual network configuration mistakes.

• A device rejoining the network with a previously assigned IP already taken by another device.

Resolution

Step 1
Restart the affected device.

Step 2
Release and renew the IP address.

Step 3
Verify DHCP settings.

Step 4
Assign a unique static IP address if needed.

Step 5
Restart the router.

Step 6
Check the router's connected devices list to identify which two devices share the conflicting address.

Prevention

• Use DHCP whenever possible.

• Document static IP assignments.

• Regularly review network configuration.

• Avoid duplicate IP addresses.

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