How to find your IP address and gateway at home

What the message looks like

Das Router-Menü lässt sich nicht öffnen, weil man die Adresse des Routers nicht kennt (z. B. 192.168.178.1).

Common causes

• The manufacturer default (for example 192.168.178.1 or 192.168.0.1) was changed or does not match your router.
• Your computer did not get a valid address and shows one that starts with 169.254.
• Two routers in the house (provider router plus your own) create two separate networks, and you are in the wrong one.
• A VPN changes the routes, so the gateway shown is not the one of your home network.

Check

1. Windows: show IP address and default gateway
   ipconfig /allCopy
2. macOS: show the gateway
   route -n get defaultCopy
3. Linux: show the default route and gateway
   ip routeCopy
4. Is the gateway reachable? (Windows: ping -n 4 …)
   ping -c 4 192.168.178.1Copy

Fix

• On Windows run ipconfig /all in the command prompt and read the Default Gateway line of your active adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
• On macOS run route -n get default in the Terminal and read the gateway line. Alternatively: System Settings, Network, Details, TCP/IP, Router.
• On Linux run ip route: the line starting with default via names the gateway.
• Type that address into your browser, for example http://192.168.178.1, and sign in with the router's login (often printed on the device).
• If your own address starts with 169.254, the computer got no address from the router: check cable and Wi-Fi and restart the router.
• With two routers, connect to the right network. The gateway is the router you are currently connected to.

FAQ

Is the gateway always the router?

In a normal home network, yes. In a company network or with an active VPN the gateway can be a different device.

My address starts with 192.168. Is that my public IP?

No. Addresses like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x are private and only valid inside your home network. The public address is shown in the router menu or on a website that displays it.