How to fix “Cannot renew IP address” in Windows

Posted by Aseem on Wednesday, November 5th 2008

5
Nov

Recently, I was working on a clients machine and after logging in realized that for some reason I was not able to connect to the server. I went to the command prompt and type in IPCONFIG and pressed Enter.

The IP address for the computer was 169.254.x.x and the subnet mask was 255.255.255.0. The 169.254 address is an APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) address that is assigned when no DHCP server is available or reachable.

So I decided to run the IPCONFIG /RENEW command to renew the computers’ IP address. Unfortunately, that didn’t work either and I got the following error:

An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : An operation was attempted on something that is not a socket.

If you get this error when trying to renew your IP address, you have a problem with the WinSock configuration on your computer. Luckily, you can read my post from Online Tech Tips on how to repair Winsock errors in Windows.

However, that may not be the only reason why an ipconfig /renew would not work. You may also get an error like this:

Limited or no connectivity
You might not be able to access the Internet or some network resources. This problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer.

For example, if you have a static IP address, then renewing will never work. You can tell if you have a static IP address by typing in IPCONFIG by itself and making sure it’s something other than 169.254. If it is, then someone may have manually set your IP address.

This means that even if there is a DHCP server on the network, it won’t get a new IP address. You can set your computer to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server automatically by going to Start, Control Panel, Network Connections. Right-click on the Local Area Connection and choose Properties.

On the General tab, scroll down in the list box till you see Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and highlight it. Then click on Properties.

Now make sure that both Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected.

Now try to renew your IP address and see if you can connect to the Internet or network. If this does not work, you have to make sure there is not some kind of software on your computer that could be blocking all the ports on your computer.

Disable any firewall software and remove or disable programs like Zone Alarm and Norton Internet Security as they can get in the way sometimes.

Finally, the problem of not being able to renew your IP address could be because of the network interface card (NIC) itself. It could be with the drivers, so download the latest drivers and update them.

You can also test out whether it is a problem with your network card by connecting the computer to another device such as a cable modem or another router and seeing if it can connect to the Internet. If so, it could be a problem with the router assigning IP addresses and it would be easiest to reset the router.

Hope this hepls! If not, post a comment with your error and I’ll try to help! Enjoy!

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14 Comments Already

DcarrollUSMC Said,

November 12th, 2008 @2:37 am

So here’s the deal, I’m having the same problem of getting the APIPA address when trying to connect to a Tut Systems Long Run LR2000T modem with ethernet cables. I’m trying to use this modem because my ISP gave it to me to alleviate high latency issues on their wireless network they have for my apartment complex due to high usage of portable devices on the same bandwith.

I have been trolling several forums after hours now and have tried all of the above options plus others. Some differences in my situation I note are my subnet mask is 255.255.0.0 (Not sure if it makes a difference) and when I type just “ipconfig” by itself it is still giving me the 169.254 IP address and 255.255 subnet mask.

One thing I have noticed is that I have the newest driver for the modem however the date on it is from 2005 which seems extremely old. I’ve heard that it depends what XP service pack you have (Because I also tried winsock fixes that I had found on some forums to no avail)…I don’t even know which Windows SP I have or how to figure out which one I have. If so can this make a difference?

Hopefully my ISP will get a work order in for me and be able to help soon I’m just trying everything I can think of. Can email me at dcarrollusmc@yahoo.com or post back here if you have any advice.

alishamommyof5 Said,

March 11th, 2009 @10:38 pm

I am getting after typing ipconfig/renew…
An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

Do you know what caused this and how I can fix it?

Dave Said,

July 15th, 2009 @1:04 am

Very helpful. My Internet was working the other day but for some reason has stopped, saying limited or no connectivity because of the network not assigning an ip address. I tried ipconfig, it is a 169.254 number, and disabling firewall and norton did not help. Ideas?

Emma Said,

August 26th, 2009 @2:11 pm

When I try to connect to the wireless network at home, I get the error message “limited or no connectivity”; even though the signal strength is strong. Also, attempts to renew the laptops’s IP address bring up the message “Error renewing the IP address: The semaphore timeout period has expired”.

Any ideas on how this could be resolved coz I find it rather bizarre that I am able to connect to other wireless networks without a hitch!!!

someone help!!!

davin09 Said,

September 25th, 2009 @1:45 am

I’m having this problem on my windows XP…when I do the ipconfig/renew…I get an error message saying it is unable to contact my dhcp server! Pleeease help!

Shortfatguy Said,

September 30th, 2009 @12:58 am

I am having same problem as Alishmommy above, I get the below message. I have two computers that have both been reformatted recently with XP, one because of a bug and the other was an institutional computer that i bought.

An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

I have tried everything that you have listed here. I have three other computers that are working on this network. Please help I am pulling out my hair.
Thanks for all you do.

mhan Said,

December 29th, 2009 @10:01 am

I have followed your instructions to renew the IP address and it worked, however, it comes back a few days later. Have you seen this issue before?

mcc Said,

January 3rd, 2010 @8:11 pm

I tried your suggestion to fix the IP address problem and it worked! thaks mcc

Benton Said,

January 12th, 2010 @2:28 pm

Great, I could not renew my IP address and this fixed the problem! Thanks!

Sheta Said,

January 17th, 2010 @7:10 pm

I see comments are moderated yet no one is answering. I’ve tried everything to get this computer I’m working on back online. It assigns the APIPA ip and renewing the ip results in a timeout. if I type in the (currently working on other systems) dynamic IP et al manually, I get a fine renewal function but nothing on the computer (firefox, etc) can access the internet (still!). I’ve been combing the internet for two days, and Comcast (the isp) are jerks who won’t troubleshoot a system if their modem will connect for other computers on the network.

The problem began after the cable was turned off due to non-payment. Since then my friend can’t get this system online. I’ve edited the registry to turn off APIPA, no change in ability to connect. Firewall was disabled, no effect. I’m at wit’s end, and apparently the wit’s end of most tech geeks posting online. I’d love to see someone respond to these comments soon.

JDB Said,

March 8th, 2010 @12:11 pm

Hi, I have what may be a very simple question, however, it’s giving me nightmares!! A friend recently asked me to help. He bought a business with it’s computers. Computers were previously connected to headoffice through some vpn software and routers. Not to sure exactly what they used. OS = Windows XP Proffesional SP2.

The problem: The computers cannot renew IP addresses when connected to the switch. However, when connected directly to the internet connection (plugged into the computer), it renews IP correctly and has internet access. Once the computers are connect to the switch (Dlink Ethernet Switch), no IP renewal and “Limited Connection”. I have had a different laptop connected to the network to check if it was the network, but it works fine. I have uninstalled everything that I could find on the computers related to the previous network setups. IPCONFIG /RELEASE & /RENEW has no effect. Ran resets using shell. Done winsock repairs. I’m out of idees other than reinstalling everything… and he did not get the discs with the computers… So that’s almost not thinkable.

Really hoping for a quick reply! Even if it’s only to say you can’t help.

Thanks!