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.

Network Preferences (Mac OS X - 10.7 and up)

  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.
Mac OS 9
UNSUPPORTED		 This product is no longer supported by the DoIT Help Desk. We can only provide best effort support. If we are unable to resolve your Mac OS 9 issue, you may be able to find help at Apple's Website. This product is no longer actively supported by Apple. No further development will take place on this product and security updates are no longer issued. It is highly recommended that you upgrade to OS X.


Open Transport (Mac OS 9.x)

  1. Click on the Apple menu.
  2. Select Control Panels and choose TCP/IP.
  3. Ensure that TCP/IP is in Advanced mode:
    • Click Edit.
    • Select User Mode.
    • Select Advanced.
  4. In the TCP/IP window, click the Options button.
  5. Select Inactive.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Close the TCP/IP control panel and choose to save changes when prompted.
  8. Open the TCP/IP control panel again, as described above.
  9. Again, click the Options button.
  10. Select Active.
  11. Click OK.
  12. Close the TCP/IP control panel and again save the changes.