---
title: "Mac self-assigned IP address (169.254): fix it · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/self-assigned-ip-address"
description: "Your Mac shows a self-assigned IP address that starts with 169.254 and has no internet. Find why DHCP failed and get a working address."
---

IP, routing and IPv6

# Mac has a self-assigned IP address

If the Mac gets no answer from a DHCP server, it gives itself a link-local address from 169.254.0.0/16. This address does not reach the internet.

Applies to: macOS 13 Ventura and later for the System Settings steps. The Terminal commands work on all current macOS versions. · Checked: 29 October 2026

## Symptoms

- Network settings say that the service has a self-assigned IP address.
- The IP address starts with 169.254.
- The Mac is connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but it has no internet.

## Likely causes

- **No DHCP answer.** The router or DHCP server did not answer. The ipconfig man page says macOS then can assign a link-local address.
- **A full DHCP pool.** The router has no free addresses to give.
- **A cable, adapter or Wi-Fi link fault.** The DHCP request does not reach the router.
- **A firewall or filter.** Security software can block the DHCP request or the answer.

## How to check

1. Find the device name of each network port, for example `en0` for Wi-Fi.

   ```
   networksetup -listallhardwareports
   ```
2. Show the IPv4 address of the interface.

   ```
   ipconfig getifaddr en0
   ```
3. Show the DHCP packet that the Mac accepted. No output means that DHCP did not work.

   ```
   ipconfig getpacket en0
   ```
4. Show the service's settings. Configure IPv4 must be Using DHCP for an automatic address.

   ```
   networksetup -getinfo Wi-Fi
   ```

## How to fix it

1. Renew the DHCP lease. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network. Click the service, then click Details.
2. Click TCP/IP, then click Renew DHCP Lease. Click OK.
3. If Configure IPv4 is Manually, set it to Using DHCP, or use this command.

   ```
   networksetup -setdhcp Wi-Fi
   ```

   Needs an administrator password.
4. Restart the router. Then renew the lease again.
5. For Ethernet, try another cable, port or adapter.
6. Turn off security software for a test. If DHCP then works, examine its settings.

## With Kilobat

1. `kilobat diagnose` checks the router and the internet, and gives advice when the router does not answer.

   ```
   kilobat diagnose
   ```

## Questions

**Is a 169.254 address always bad?**

No. Two Macs on one cable can talk with link-local addresses. But it does not reach the internet.

**Will the Mac try DHCP again by itself?**

Yes, it keeps trying. Renew the lease to try at once.

## Sources

- ipconfig(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
- [Apple Support: Renew your IP address from the DHCP server on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchlp1545/mac)
- [Apple Support: Change TCP/IP settings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-tcp-ip-settings-on-mac-mchlp2718/mac)
- [RFC 3927: Dynamic Configuration of IPv4 Link-Local Addresses](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3927)

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with `man <name>` in Terminal.

## Related guides

- [Renew the DHCP lease on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/renew-dhcp-lease-mac): A DHCP lease gives the Mac its IP address, router and DNS servers.
- [IP address conflict on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/ip-address-conflict-mac): Two devices on one network cannot use the same IP address.
- [Mac connected to Wi-Fi but no internet](https://kilobat.app/guides/wifi-connected-no-internet): A Wi-Fi connection is only the link to the router.
- [Mac does not detect a USB or Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter](https://kilobat.app/guides/ethernet-adapter-not-detected): A USB or Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter must appear as a hardware port and as a network service.