What Is A Self Assigned IP Address And How To Fix This Mac Error

If the Wi-Fi on your Network Preferences page shows a Self-Assigned IP Address error, then your Mac cannot establish a working internet connection. This error can be incredibly frustrating and prevent you from doing all the work that’s been piling up. Luckily, it’s straightforward to fix.

A self-assigned IP address is a private address that’s not visible on the internet. So, even if your Wi-Fi works perfectly, your Mac will show an “Internet not working” error. You can fix the issue by resetting your Mac’s network preferences or changing the DNS servers on your macOS. 

Mac’s self-assigned IP error prevents your computer from establishing a working internet connection, rendering the Mac essentially useless. Let’s look at a self-assigned IP address and what you can do to fix it.

What is a Self-Assigned IP Address?

A self-assigned IP address is essentially a private IP address within three number ranges reserved for the computers or devices in local networks. These private addresses are assigned to the computers in the network by the DHCP server and aren’t visible on the internet. 

So, even if you have working Wi-Fi, your Mac will keep showing the “Internet not working” message until you fix the error. 

How to Fix Self-Assigned IP Address Error

There are a lot of times when your Mac is given a self-assigned IP address, which prevents the internet from working on the machine. As a result, even if the same Wi-Fi network works perfectly on all your other devices, your Mac will display a “No Internet Connection” error.  

Luckily, a self-assigned IP address error on a Mac is extremely easy to fix. You can quickly resolve the issue and get your Mac’s internet working again by simply deleting a few files from the machine. 

Reset Your Mac’s Network Preferences

This solution works on all the latest macOS versions, including macOS Mojave and Catalina. Just make sure you log into an administrator account, follow all the steps below, and delete the mentioned files: 

1. Launch Finder on your Mac and select Macintosh HD.
   
2. Open the Library folder and then select Preferences.
   
3. Access the SystemConfiguration folder.
   
4. Delete all the following files:
   • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
   • Networkinterfaces.plist
   • com.apple.network.identification.plist

5. If the SystemConfiguration folder doesn’t contain all these files, then simply delete the ones in the folder.
   
6. Restart your Mac.

Once you successfully reboot your Mac, the self-assigned IP address error should be resolved, and the internet should start working normally. However, if the issue persists, move on to the next solution. 

Reset Your Mac’s IP Address

If deleting all the files mentioned above doesn’t fix your Mac’s self-assigned IP address issue, then resetting your Mac’s IP address might help solve the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
   
2. Click on the Network icon.
   
3. Make sure you’ve selected the Wi-Fi from the side panel and then select the Advanced button.
   
4. Go to the top navigation bar and select TCP/IP.
   
5. Click on the Renew DHCP Lease option at the right of the IPv4 address line.
   
6. Select OK to exit and then turn off the Wi-Fi from the top menu bar.
   
7. Wait a couple of seconds, then turn the Wi-Fi back on to connect your Mac to the Wi-Fi network. 

At this point, the self-assigned IP address error should get resolved, and your internet should properly start working on your Mac again. However, if it doesn’t, then try the next solution. 

Change DNS Servers on Your MacOS

Changing the DNS servers on your macOS can also help fix the self-assigned IP address. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Click on the Apple logo and then select System Preferences.
   
2. Click on the Network icon.
   
3. Select your Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Usually, they’re selected by default.
   
4. Click on the Advanced button.
   
5. Click on the DNS tab.
   
6. Select the + icon.
   
7. Add all the following numbers: 
   • 8.8.8.8
   • 8.8.4.4
   • 1.1.1.1
   • 9.9.9.9

8. Select OK.

This should fix the self-assigned IP address error. However, if the issue persists, it’s best to contact the Apple Support team.