Mac OS - Displaying, Releasing, and Renewing a DHCP Lease

The following instructions will walk you through how to:
  • Display the network settings currently assigned. This information can be utilized to verify whether or not a network connection exists as well as what your network settings are.
  • Release the current DHCP configuration. Note: Releasing allows you to discard the current configuration settings (such as the IP address) which have been assigned to you.
  • Renew the DHCP configuration. Renewing will pull a new IP address lease from the DHCP host and in many cases resolves connection issues.

MacOS Sequoia 15 and up

  1. On your Mac, choose the Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
  2. Click the network service that needs a renewed IP address, then click Details.
  3. Click TCP/IP, then click Renew DHCP Lease.
  4. Click OK.

Network Preferences (Mac OS X - 10.7)

  1. Click on the Apple menu.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Click on Network (located under the Internet & Network section).
  4. In the left column you will see the Ethernet and/or Wireless available to select. Click on the desired ethernet or wireless connection to renew.
  5. On the right column click the Advanced button
  6. Select the TCP/IP tab and click Renew DHCP Lease

Network Preferences (Mac OS X - 10.5 - 10.6)

  1. Click on the Apple menu.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Click on Network (located under the Internet & Network section).
  4. In the left column you will see the Ethernet and/or Wireless available to select. Click on the desired ethernet or wireless connection to renew.
  5. On the right column click the Advanced button and click on DHCP Renew.

Network Preferences (Mac OS X - 10.4)

  1. Click on the Apple menu.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Click on Network (located under the Internet & Network section).
  4. Click the drop down window that says Show in order to select the available list of network connections to select from. Click on the desired ethernet or wireless connection to renew.
  5. Click the DHCP Renew button.

Network Preferences (Mac OS X - 10.3 and lower)

  1. Click on the Apple menu.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Click on Network (located under the Internet & Network section).
  4. Click on the Show drop-box and select Active Network Ports.
  5. Remove the check from the box next to Built-in Ethernet and click on Apply Now.
  6. Place a check back in the box next to Built-in Ethernet and click on Apply Now.

Keywords:
mac os dhcp resnet dsl cable modem dhcp release lease renew acquire ip mac configuration macos pdisclaimer 
Doc ID:
2258
Owned by:
Jeff W. in DoIT Help Desk
Created:
2003-09-17
Updated:
2026-07-09
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk