What Is 169 IP Address and Why It Appears

Alex B

Author

If your computer suddenly receives an address like 169.254.x.x, this is almost always a signal: “Internet is unavailable, DHCP is not responding.” This address is link—local (local to the communication channel) and is used as an emergency mode. Hence the question: “what is 169 IP address” and what to do with it?

It’s simple: when a device could not get a regular local IP from a router/DHCP server (for example, 192.168.0.25 or 10.0.0.57), it assigns itself a backup address from the range 169.254.0.0/16. With it, you can sometimes “transfer” files between two PCs sitting on the same cable/switch, but you cannot access the Internet with such an address: there is no gateway or correct DNS.

How does 169.254 differ from the “normal” local IP (192.168.x.x / 10.x.x.x / 172.16–31.x.x)?

• The normal local IP issues the DHCP of your router. Along with the address, you get a gateway and DNS, so the Internet works.
• 169.254.x.x the device assigns itself when the DHCP is “silent”. The gateway/DNS is not configured, so the Internet is “dead”.

The short conclusion is that we saw 169.254 — this is not “some strange provider IP”, but an emergency sign. Further in the article we will figure out what is 169.254 IP address technically and how to fix 169 IP address in practice.

Understanding What Is 169 a IP Address in Networking

The technical nature of 169.x.x.x is APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing), a standard OS feature. When the DHCP client does not receive a response, the system starts address self-assignment:

• The device selects a random address from the range 169.254.1.0–169.254.254.255 (edge /24 is usually reserved).
• Before use, it sends ARP requests (probe) to make sure that the address is not occupied by anyone.
• If there is no conflict, the address is assigned. If there is a conflict, another one is selected and the check is repeated.

This is how Windows works (in ipconfig you will see the Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address 169.254.x.x), macOS/iOS (Self-Assigned IP message), Linux (via avahi-autoipd and analogues). This is the answer to “what is 169 an IP address”: this is not a “left Internet address”, but an emergency local address for one L2 network.

When does the computer “give itself” such an address?

• The DHCP server is unavailable (the router is frozen, DHCP is disabled, the server crashes).
• The problem is at the channel level: bad cable, disconnected port, invalid VLAN, 802.1X/custom authorization, Wi-Fi is connected, but without IP.
• Software blocks: firewall/VPN/security agent interfere with the DHCP exchange.
• Configuration error: static subnet on the router, subnet conflict, broadcast packet filtering.

Why is this important? Because the message “a computer has been assigned an IP address of 169.254” literally means: there is a problem with the DHCP/network, and not “the Internet broke down on its own.” That is, not to fix the browser, but the communication channel and the output of addresses.

Remember the simple diagnostic rule: we saw 169.254 → we are looking for the cause at the DHCP and L2 levels. And in the practical sections, we’ll look at how to fix 169 IP addresses on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices to return to a normal 192.168/10.x address and internet connection. Sometimes even your IP reputation can lead to bad consequences about which you can find out in our article.

What Is 169.254 IP Address: The Role of APIPA

When you see the address 169.254.x.x, this is the result of APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing), an IP self—assignment mechanism.

Range. The operating systems use the range 169.254.0.1 – 169.254.255.254, with the exception of the first and last 256 addresses (reserved). That means there are actually about 65,000 unique IP addresses available.

Why do Windows and macOS use this fallback? Imagine: your computer is trying to ask the DHCP “give me the address”, but the server is silent. In order not to leave the device “completely without an IP”, the system launches APIPA. It’s like a spare tire: you can’t accelerate along the highway on it, but you can get to the nearest station. On Windows, such an ipconfig address will be signed as an Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address, and on macOS/iOS, a Self-Assigned IP will appear in the network settings.

When is it useful? Although 169.254 IP address usually means “network down”, it really helps in some scenarios:

• Local communication without DHCP. Two computers connected directly by a cable will be able to “see” each other and exchange files.
• Test and temporary networks. Fast connection diagnostics without configuring DHCP.
• IoT or closed environments. Devices can work with each other in a local segment without access to the Internet.

Thus, the answer to “what is 169.254 IP address” is not an “error”, but a fallback mode, which often interferes, but sometimes can be unexpectedly useful.

Symptoms: A Computer Has Been Assigned an IP Address of 169.254

The phrase “a computer has been assigned an IP address of 169.254″ usually means one thing: the Internet is not working. Let’s look at how it looks to the user.

What the user sees. The computer is connected to Wi-Fi or cable, in the IP settings there is “some strange 169.254…”, but the sites do not open. At the same time, the system honestly writes: “connected”, but “without Internet access”.

Errors in Windows.

• Network icon with a yellow triangle.
• The message is Limited connectivity or No Internet access.
• ipconfig displays Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address… 169.254.x.x instead of the usual 192.168.x.x.

Similar symptoms in macOS and Linux.

• On macOS, in the Network section, you will see a Self-Assigned IP and a red status indicator. The Internet will be completely unavailable.
• On Linux, the ip addr or ifconfig command will show 169.254.x.x, and there is no access to the external network, although the interface is technically “up”.

That is a common symptom.: you have an IP address, but no internet connection. And this is the main marker of APIPA — the computer could not get an address from DHCP and “insured itself”.

Common Causes of Getting a 169 IP Address

• When the question arises: “why has a computer been assigned an IP address of 169.254?”, the reason is almost always a connection failure with DHCP. But the list of possible sources is broader.:
• The DHCP server is unavailable. Your router or server, which is supposed to distribute IP, is frozen or turned off. Without his response, the computer goes into fallback and gives itself a 169.254 IP address.
• The network cable or Wi-Fi router is not working. A damaged Ethernet cable, a bad port, disabled Wi-Fi, or a broken router are common causes. The device is physically connected, but it does not receive an IP address.
• Driver or configuration errors. Incorrect TCP/IP settings, subnet conflict, old network card drivers — all this can lead to a situation where Windows or macOS issue “Self-Assigned IP 169.254”.
• Problems with VPNs and proxies. Some VPN or proxy clients block the DHCP traffic. As a result, the device connects to the tunnel, but does not receive a real address, and the question arises again: “what is 169 an IP address and why do I see it?”.

How to Check If Your Device Has 169.254 IP Address

If you suspect that you have this particular problem, it’s very easy to check. The question “how to check if your device has a 169.254 IP address” is solved in several ways:

Windows. Open a command prompt and type:

ipconfig /all

The line Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address will appear in the section of your adapter: 169.254.x.x. This is a clear indication that the DHCP did not work.

Mac/Linux.
In the terminal, use:

ifconfig

If the inet line specifies the range 169.254.x.x, this is the case.

Wi-Fi and Ethernet settings. You can check it without the command line: in the network settings (Windows → Settings → Network & Internet → Properties) or in macOS → System Preferences → Network. If the IP starts at 169.254, it means that it is issued automatically by the system. For most of the cases on Windows system you can find out how check your IP address with our article.

How to Fix 169 IP Address in Windows

Now the most important thing: how to fix 169 IP addresses on Windows. The algorithm is simple:

Rebooting the adapter. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Change adapter options, disable and enable the desired interface. Sometimes it solves the problem right away.

IP update. At the command prompt, type:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

If DHCP is available, the computer will receive a normal address (for example, 192.168.x.x).

Checking the DHCP client. Make sure that the DHCP Client service is enabled: Win+R → services.msc → find and run. Without it, Windows will not be able to request addresses.

When should I restart the router? If nothing helps, most likely the problem is not with the computer, but with the DHCP server. Restart the router: this often brings IP distribution back to normal.

After these steps, the question “a computer has been assigned an IP address of 169.254 — what do I do?” is usually removed: you will get your work address and internet access again.

How to Fix 169 IP Address on Mac

On Mac, the Self-Assigned IP message is exactly the same case as on Windows: the DHCP did not respond, and macOS issued a 169.254 IP address. To fix it:

• Renew DHCP Lease. Go to System Preferences → Network, select the connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), click Advanced → TCP/IP and click Renew DHCP Lease. If the DHCP is working, the address will change to normal (for example, 192.168.x.x).
• Checking TCP/IP services. Sometimes the problem is related to the TCP/IP stack itself. In this case, restarting network services via the terminal or simply restarting the Mac helps.
• Deleting and adding the interface again. If all else fails, delete the problematic interface (–) in the same Network section, and then add (+) it again. This resets the settings and forces macOS to request the address again.

As a result, the question is “what is 169.254 IP address on Mac and how to fix it?” it is solved most often by these actions.

How to Fix 169 IP Address on Linux

On Linux, the situation is similar: if you see 169.254.x.x in the ip addr or ifconfig output, it means that the DHCP client could not get the address.

Commands for updating. Open a terminal and run:

sudo dhclient

Checking configs. Look in /etc/network/interfaces or in the NetworkManager configurations to make sure that the interface is indeed configured for DHCP, and not for static IP.

Troubleshooting DHCP client. If the DHCP client does not start, you need to check the logs:

journalctl -u NetworkManager

How to Fix 169 IP Address on Mobile Devices

At first glance, it’s strange to see the message “a computer (or smartphone) has been assigned an IP address of 169.254” on the phone. But in reality, iOS and Android work the same way as Windows and macOS: if the DHCP server is silent, the system gives itself a fallback address from the range 169.254.x.x. As a result, Wi—Fi seems to be connected, the signal is excellent, but there is no Internet.

iOS: Reset Network Settings

On the iPhone and iPad, this problem occurs most often when access points are “frozen” or after iOS updates.

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
2. The system will delete the saved Wi-Fi, passwords, VPN and APN configurations.
3. After reboot, reconnect to Wi-Fi and get a fresh address from DHCP.

A more gentle option often helps — in Settings → Wi-Fi, select a network, press (i) and click Renew Lease. This forces the iPhone to request the IP again, without a full reset.

Android: Forget Wi-Fi → Reconnect

On Android, network reset works differently. If the phone has received a 169.254 IP address, try:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Pinch the problematic network → select Forget.
3. Connect again and enter the password.

This method erases all the old DHCP settings (lease, cached IP, DNS) and forces the phone to request a new address.

For deep cleaning, you can go to Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth is an analog of iOS Reset Network Settings.

Features of Mobile DHCP, Phones, unlike PCs, are much more likely to change IP addresses, as they:

• switch between different access points;
• work with short DHCP leases;
• they often “fall asleep” and wake up, which is why the server may not have time to issue a new address.

Therefore, on Android and iOS 169.254, the IP address is often solved by simply switching Airplane Mode ON/OFF or restarting Wi-Fi. This is a quick way to “kick” DHCP without major resets.

What to do if it doesn’t help

• Try connecting to another Wi-Fi network. If everything is fine there, then the problem is with the router.
• Restart the router — sometimes it stops responding with DHCP requests.
• Check if your phone has a third-party VPN or configuration profiles (often on iOS). They can block DHCP or redirect traffic.

Thus, the answer to the question “how to fix 169 IP addresses on mobile devices” boils down to a simple principle: reset the saved network settings, reconnect, and force the phone to request an IP from DHCP again. Airplane Mode helps in mild cases, and a full Reset of Network Settings helps in difficult cases.

When a 169.254 Address Is Useful Instead of a Problem

Although 169.254 IP address is most often perceived as a mistake and a headache, there are situations when it really turns out to be useful.

• Local peer-to-peer networks. Two computers can be connected directly with a cable without a router. There is no DHCP, but the devices will automatically assign themselves addresses from the range 169.254.x.x and will be able to exchange files or communicate using local protocols.
• Auto-configuration without DHCP for diagnostics. System administrators use APIPA to check whether devices “see” each other at the link level. If devices in the same subnet have received addresses 169.254 and can ping, it means that the problem is higher (DHCP or routing), and not in the cable.
• Scenarios in closed environments (IoT, test networks). Sometimes Internet of Things (IoT) devices or special test benches operate in a completely closed environment where DHCP is not needed. There, the self-assigned IP of 169.254 allows devices to find each other without unnecessary configuration.

That is, the answer to “what is 169 an IP address” is not always negative.: it can be a temporary working tool on a local network, although it is useless for accessing the Internet.

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