IPv4 and IPv6 Settings
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the address system used for devices on your local network and the internet. It uses four groups of numbers (e.g. 192.168.1.10). IPv6 (version 6) is the newer standard with longer addresses and many more possible combinations; it is increasingly used alongside IPv4.
Common Terms (IPv4)
- IP address: Your device’s address on the network (e.g. 192.168.1.10).
- Subnet mask: Often 255.255.255.0 at home. Defines network vs device part of the address.
- Default gateway: Usually the router’s IP (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Traffic to the internet goes through it.
- DNS server: Converts domain names to IPs. See DNS Settings.
Typical Home IPv4 Values
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.10 (varies per device) |
| Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 |
| Default gateway | 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 |
What is IPv6?
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal (e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334). It was introduced because IPv4 has a limited number of addresses. Many ISPs and networks now support both; your device may have an IPv4 address and an IPv6 address at the same time. Home routers often allow you to enable or disable IPv6 in the WAN or LAN settings.
View Your IPv4 and IPv6 in CMD
Open CMD and run ipconfig. You will see "IPv4 Address", "Subnet Mask" and "Default Gateway". If IPv6 is enabled, you will also see "IPv6 Address" and a longer address. Use ipconfig /all for more detail.
ipconfig
IPv4 and IPv6 on the Router
In the router interface (192.168.1.1 etc.), LAN settings control the local IP range and subnet for IPv4. Many routers have a separate section or toggle for IPv6 (WAN and LAN). WAN/Internet shows the public IPv4 (and often IPv6 if your ISP provides it). For static IP see Static and Dynamic IP.
When to Use Manual IP Settings
Most home users leave IPv4 on automatic (DHCP) so the router assigns an IP to each device. You might set a manual (static) IP on a PC or device if you need port forwarding to always point to the same address, or if you run a server, NAS or IP camera. You can set the static IP on the device itself (Windows: adapter properties, IPv4, “Use the following IP address”) or use DHCP reservation on the router so the router always gives the same IP to that device by MAC address. The second method is often easier because you don’t have to enter gateway and DNS on each device.