Resolve "Self-Assigned IP" Errors for Apple Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Resolving "Self-Assigned IP" Errors for Apple Mac

A "Self-Assigned IP" error on a Mac can prevent network connectivity, causing internet access issues. This guide will provide steps to troubleshoot and resolve the "Self-Assigned IP" error on your Mac.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Restart Your Mac and Router:
   • Restart both your Mac and your router to refresh the network connection.
2. Renew DHCP Lease
   • Go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Network,’ select your network connection, and click ‘Advanced.’ Then, go to ‘TCP/IP’ and click ‘Renew DHCP Lease.’
3. Reset Network Preferences:
   • Go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Network,’ delete the current network connection, and create a new one.
4. Reset NVRAM:
   • Shut down your Mac, then restart it while holding down Option + Command + P + R keys for about 20 seconds to reset NVRAM.
5. Check Firewall and Security Settings:
   • Ensure firewall and security settings are not blocking network access. Go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Security & Privacy’ > ‘Firewall’ and adjust settings as needed.
6. Contact Your ISP:
   • If the problem persists, contact your internet service provider for assistance.

Resolving "Self-Assigned IP" errors on a Mac involves renewing the DHCP lease, resetting network settings, and checking firewall configurations. Follow these steps to restore network connectivity on your Mac.

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1. Introduction: Apple Mac: Resolve Self-Assigned IP Address

One possible result of the inability to get online is that you have what is referred to as a self assigned IP address. This usually happens when your router (which normally provides you an IP address) does not provide you an IP address to talk to other computers.

This guide will help you to troubleshoot self assigned IP addresses.

2. Network: Reboot

One of the main causes with the inability to get on the Internet is that your networking equipment could have malfunctioned. Sometimes performing a reboot will resolve this issue.

Your network may consist of one or more of the following networking devices.

Modem

This is the primary device used to get you on the Internet.

• Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
• Typically has 1 or 2 Ethernet ports which connect to a router.

Gateway

This is an all-in-one device that has both a modem and a router built in. It is a primary device used to get you on the Internet.

• Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
• Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
• Typically has Wi-Fi built into it

Router

This device allows you to connect multiple devices to your Internet connection using a single external IP address.

• Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
• Typically has Wi-Fi built into it.

Switch

This device helps to extend the wired functionallity of devices by provuding your additional Ethernet ports.

• These are typically plug and play.
• This device is not a router.

AccessPoint

This device will provide wireless access to your existing network.

• Used to extend the range of your network
• Usually plugged into a router/gateway via Ethernet connection.

RangeExtender

This device will extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi network by rebroadcasting your Wi-Fi network.

• Standalone device plugged into a power source.
• Usually located 15-30 feet from the router.

Next we will want to power cycle the networking devices.

Modem / Gateway

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.
4. Wait for the device to go online.

Router

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.
4. Wait for the device to go online.

Switch

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.

Access Point / Range Extender

1. Unplug the power from the device.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power back into the device.

3. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

4. Network: Determine Connection Type

Next we need to know how your device connects to the Internet.

• Wireless - You connect using a wireless router or access point.
• Wired - You use an Ethernet cable plugged into your gateway/router/switch and the other end is plugged into your device.

5. macOS: Renew DHCP

1. Click the Apple Menu and then click on System Preferences.
   

1. Click on Network.
   

1. Click the connection you are having a problem with on the left.
   

1. Make sure Configure IPV4 is Using DHCP.
   

1. Click on Advanced.
   

1. Click Renew DHCP lease.

6. macOS: Forget Network

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. By default it will be in the upper right corner near the time and date.
   

1. If Wi-Fi is off, choose Turn Wi-Fi on.
   

1. Select Open Network Preferences.
   

1. Select Advanced within the Network window.
   

1. In the Preferred Networks list, select the network you wish to forget. Tap the minus icon (-) to forget the network.
   

1. Your device will no longer join this Wi-Fi network unless you reconnect once again.

7. macOS: Connect to Wi-Fi

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. By default it will be in the upper right corner near the time and date.
   

1. If Wi-Fi is off, choose Turn Wi-Fi on.
   

1. The strength of each nearby network is shown next to its name. More darkened bars indicate a stronger network connection.
   

1. Select the Wireless Network Name (SSID) of the network you want to connect to.
   

1. Networks that have a lock icon next to their name require a password. After you select your network, enter the network password when you're prompted. If you don't know the network password, check with the owner of the Wi-Fi network you're trying to join.

8. macOS: Reset Firewall

1. Open the Finder from the dock.
   

1. Click on the Go menu.
   

1. Click on Go To Folder...
   

1. Type "/Library/Preferences" in the box.
   

1. Click the Go button.
   

1. Find the file named "com.apple.alf.plist" and drag it to the trash.
   

9. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

10. Check Other Devices

To help troubleshoot the problem we should check if other devices can connect to the wireless network.

11. macOS: Renew DHCP

1. Click the Apple Menu and then click on System Preferences.
   

1. Click on Network.
   

1. Click the connection you are having a problem with on the left.
   

1. Make sure Configure IPV4 is Using DHCP.
   

1. Click on Advanced.
   

1. Click Renew DHCP lease.

12. Network: Ethernet Troubleshooting

While Ethernet connections are typically the most reliable connection to the Internet, there are still some issues that can arise. Test your connection after each of these steps.

• Plug your Ethernet cable into another port on your Gateway/Router/Switch.
  

• Try using another Ethernet cable.
• If you are plugged into a switch, try plugging directly into your Gateway or Router.

13. macOS: Reset Firewall

1. Open the Finder from the dock.
   

1. Click on the Go menu.
   

1. Click on Go To Folder...
   

1. Type "/Library/Preferences" in the box.
   

1. Click the Go button.
   

1. Find the file named "com.apple.alf.plist" and drag it to the trash.
   

16. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

14. Check Other Devices

To help troubleshoot the problem we should check if other devices can connect to the wireless network.