IMac self assigning IP addresses to both Airport and Ethernet, randomly

So, I've seen some others complain about their Macs randomly dropping the internet since around the 10.6.6 update. I've had the same issue. Sometimes it will go days with no problems, other times I have to reboot the iMac multiple times a day because it won't stay connected to the internet.
I finally looked in my network part of my System Preferences to see what that said, and to my shock I found that when the iMac deops from the network (the only thing on the network that drops, cell phones on WiFi are fine, Windows computers are fine, PS3 and Xbox 360 are fine) that it tells me that it has self assigned the IP addresses for the AirPort and/or Ethernet port.
Before I discovered this, my one friend joked it was a user error (PBKAC), but now that I can confirm it is not, I know this to be an OS X problem. Somewhere along the way to the 10.6.6 update, someone at Apple did something to the TCP/IP stack that seems to randomly affect users, and it has not been fixed, since.
Telling the computer to renew the DHCP lease from the router works sometimes, but not all the time. When it doesn't work, then the iMac needs to be rebooted in order to reconnect to the network.
I have a video showing the issue, as well. http://youtu.be/dhncotyiqS0
Apple, you need to fix this problem, even though it appears to not affect all users all the time.

Hello djhalnon. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
At any rate, while the Netgear had a "LAN IP Setup" screen allowing me to specify device addresses assigned by its DHCP service, I haven't found any such thing in the Airport Utility. Searching the 'Net didn't help much, because what I found doesn't coincide with what I can do in the utility.
The "equivalent" for the AirPort would be to utilize the "Reserve a DHCP IP address" feature in the AirPort Utility.
To do this, select the Manual Setup option in the AirPort Utility, and then:
1. Reserve a DHCP-provided IP address for the host device.
Internet > DHCP tab
o On the DHCP tab, click the "+" (Add) button to enter DHCP Reservations.
o Description: <enter the desired description of the host device>
o Reserve address by: MAC Address
o Click Continue.
o MAC Address: <enter the MAC (what Apple calls Ethernet ID if you are using wired or AirPort ID if wireless) hardware address of the host computer>
o IPv4 Address: <enter the desired IP address>
o Click Done.

Similar Messages

AirPort has the self-assigned IP address .... and will not be able to connect to the Internet., AirPort has the self-assigned IP address ...and will not be able to connect to the Internet.

I came from the U.S to Spain and My laptop will not connect to the internet via airport I keep getting the message above what do I do?

Hi, the one below worked for my case.
I beleive there are different reasons for this problem. In my case, doing try and error, I found a solution for my case (at the ver end of this post). The reason I say this is because I had the same problem and googled the problem for quite a while ... none of the suggested solutions worked for me, although it seems like they worked for others in some cases. I tired taking my computer to different wifi networks (mainly unprotected ... ie no WAP) and alwasy got the same problem. I even took the computer to apple and no luck ... surprisely when I took it to apple it did connect to apple's wifi network in the store, so according to them it was probably some problem with my network ... when I walked out of the store I tried connecting to another open network in the mall and got the same problem ... went back to apple and they tried a few things without any luck (however it would connect to apple's network)
Of all the solutions I read the one that made more sense for me was the one related to keychain access, although in my case I had the problem trying to get into an unprotected network, which at some point was protected.
So this is what I did: among other things I compared the keychain access file with that from another macbook that was working ok, and I noticed that although my wifi network is unprotected there was an entry for it in the keychain access list (maybe from the time that I had the network protected with the deafult config from the router). So I went to network preferences on the computer that had the problem, went to advanced and selected the name of my network (configured without security), and changed it to WAP personnal security, and entered the previous access code from my router --- the same configured in the other mac keychain file ---. This created an entry for my network in the keychain access file, just as it showed in the other macbook. I then went back to network preference and change the configuration of my network back without security. AND NOW it is working, NO MORE SELF ASSIGNED IP ADDRESS. (remember that I actually I never really changed the configuration of my wifi router to make the network secured ... actually I didn't touch it at all .... well I did before some days ago trying to follow some of the suggested solutions, doing things like power cycle, reset to factory default etc, etc, which never worked)

Use both airport and ethernet

I'm in a mac unfriendly corporation so here's what I want to do:
use airport (wifi) to access external websites and use ethernet for intranet and shared folders.
How can I do that? thanks

If you value your job, don't turn them both on at the same time. You can accidentally create a sneak path from the global internet to your company's intranet. They will not be happy if this happens.
They have probably gone to great lengths to secure the intranet from outside access. If they have blocked access to the internet from the intranet, then they don't want you on the internet while at work. Subverting that is probably cause for instant dismissal.

Self Assigned IP Address redux

I am getting the "Self Assigned IP Address" in my Airport connection and I can't troubleshoot the problem.
Here's my setup and what I have been looking to accomplish..
I have an iMac G5 with a built-in Airport Extreme card running Leopard 10.5.3. I have created a network to provide my AppleTV and my work laptop with access to the internet. I've turned Internet sharing on, and have security set to a the WEP 128 key..
Recently I had to exchange my AppleTV for a new one, and during the 2 weeks I was without AppleTV - something has changed (and as I think through the issue, I'm not certain about when the last time I played youtube or purchased content - maybe the new appleTV doesn't have anything to do with it, and it was a software upgrade), as I am no longer able to access YouTube content or the iTunes Music store to authorize my purchased content or to purchase new music/movies. However, I am able to watch movie trailers, and preview songs. It connects to the network fine, shows a strong signal, but something isn't quite right.
I've performed about every known solution to the AppleTV problem, and have an open post over in the AppleTV area, but in tracking down my issue, I see that my Airport connection is showing that it has a "self-assigned IP Address" and my not be able to connect to the internet. My thoughs are that if i get the self-assigned IP address problem solved, I'll solve the ITMS/YouTube issue on the AppleTV.
My internet connection is via Verizon DSL, with a DSL modem, connected directly to my iMac with an ethernet cable. (no external router/firewall)
I find it interesting that I can watch trailers, preview music from ITMS with the 'Self-assigned IP' but not access ITMS for purchases, etc.
I do not have any expertise in networking and for the most part am just following what posts I've seen out there suggest to try - trashing the com.apple.airport.pref's - restarting in 'Safe' mode, etc. Rebuilding the network connections from scratch, etc. Repairing Keychain access, disabling the built in firewall, etc. Just can't get by this issue.
Anyone with any thoughts?

hey guys...I found the problem...it helped me very much just try to change the wireless mode from 11bgn mixed to 11bg mixed...do this from router settings . . .I guess this will help you

My ipad recognizes my home network but will not connect to the internet. When I click on AirPort/preferences at the top of the imac screen it says..."AirPort has a self-assigned ip address and may not connect to the internet".How can I change ip address?

My ipad recognizes my home network but will not connect to the internet. When I click on AirPort/preferences at the top of the imac screen it says..."AirPort has a self-assigned ip address and may not connect to the internet". If this is the root of the problem,how can I change ip address?
Ipad will connect no problem to other networks.

First thing you need I think is to get your iMac connected to the Internet.
Shut down your iMac and you iPad. Then power off your router. Wait 30 seconds and power up the router.
After the router indicates that it is connected to the Internet then start up your iMac and see if it connects. If the iMac connects to the Internet then your iPad should too.
If this power up sequence doesn't work you'll have to dig into the router setup to make sure it is working properly.

Self Assigned IP Address with Airport Extreme

I just changed my router from an Asus to AIrport Extreme.   The Airport Extreme is connected to an ATT DSL modem. I know the modem works because I can connect to the internet when I connect it directly to my IMac. However, when I try to access the internet through the airport extreme it connects temporarily and then loses the connection. It tells me that I have a self assigned IP address and cannot connect to the network. This is the case through both Ethernet and WiFi. It is also the case when I try it with other devices (e.g. IPad, MacBook).
I know there are lots and lots of threads in this forum (and others) on this topic. I have been pouring over them for days and trying everything I could find including but not limited to--
Rebooting/power cycling
Keychain clearing and repairing
Renewing DHCP lease
Turning off firewall and virus barrier
deleting and recreating network
The modem is set up based on the ATT instructions for when it is to be connected to a non ATT router, thus it is in Bridge mode and the Airport Express is set to use PPPoE.   OS and all firmware is up to date.
There is another issue which may or may not be related. It is also an issue for which there are many existing threads (but apparently no definitive solution). My Imac keeps giving me a message that the name of my computer is already in use and has been changed to.....
http://https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4207056?start=0&tstart=0
I have tried several suggested solutions (e.g. energy savings pref, using only wifi or only ethernet to connect). So far no luck.
Both of these issues seem to have started when I switched routers.
Anyone know if the two issues are related? And whether there is a solution? Seems like both issues have been around a long time.......

Was using the wrong password option in UIXperts driver. Kept thinking it was a different protection mechanism than it was. Once the password was set, all was well. Referred back to the IOXperts installation guide (RTFM) for a clue.

Airport self-assigned IP address, no internet

We got a new router from Verizon and my Mac will not connect. Network Status gave this message: 'Airport is connected to the network xxxxxx. Airport has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the Internet.
How do I fix this an get connected to the internet?
Thanks in advance,
Mike from Baltimore

I have also encountered this problem and I have been researching it all over the internet all evening and trying everything I could find a suggestion for. Here's what I have: Two G4 Powerbooks, one is a 550MHz 15" Powerbook, the other is a 1.5 GHz 17" Powerbook, they are both running 10.4.11 with all the updates that Software Update has to offer, the 17" is connecting via built in Airport Extreme card, the 15" is connecting via Sonnets Aria Extreme PC card. I have AT&T DSL and I'm using the 2Wire modem/router they provided me with. Neither of the Powerbooks can connect wirelessly to the internet. Furthermore, they cannot even ping the wireless router. 4 days ago, both were connecting without any trouble (and had been able to reliably every day since the beginning of August when I hooked everything up). I have made no changes to my router's settings over the weekend. Nor had I made any changes to the Powerbooks' settings during that time. It just stopped working. If I wire one or both of them to the router with ethernet cables, connection works fine. My Desktop G4 which is normally wired into the router via ethernet, connects fine so I know my internet service is available.
So far, I've restarted both machines numerous times, restarted the router numerous times. Reset the WEP password. Changed the wireless security to WPA. Changed it back to WEP. Trashed the airport plist. deleted every wireless network entry in Keychain. Disabled DHCP and assigned IP numbers manually. Changed the wireless channel (I've tried 1, 6, and 11 with and without interference robustness).
I've been reading posts about this issue on half a dozen web forums (dating back to as early as June 2004). It appears to affect a variety of routers (2Wire, Netgear, Linksys), a variety of machines (Powerbooks, iBooks, MacBookPros, iMacs) a variety of OSes (10.3, 10.4, 10.5).
This thing is really getting me down. Anybody have any other ideas?

Computer-to-computer Airport network no dice - "self assigned IP address"

I have spent hours reading posts on this and other forums about this problem with Airport, but none of the fixes have connected me to the Internet. My new iMac has a DSL line coming into it and an Airport card. My eMac has an Airport card too. I am not using a base station. The eMac recognizes the network I created, it even allows file sharing, but in the TCP/IP prefs, I get the dreaded notice about how the computer is using a "self assigned IP address and may not connect to the Internet." So I took one user's advie and set it up to use DHTP manually and I typed in an IP address of 10.10.10.x and my "network status" finally went from the yellow dot of death to green, saying I was connected to the Internet. But my browsers sure don't think so. I turned firewall off. Still no help. Do I have to turn firewall off on the iMac, from which the eMac is getting its Airport signal? I need a firewall, right? "Firewall good," right?
The issue was the IP address until I entered a manual one. Now the issue has changed. I am connected to the network, and at least technically to the Internet, according to the computer's ability to gauge such things, but I'm still not online. I have done the "unplug the DSL modem" thing, and unplugged the computers, and turned Airport on and off, trashed Airport prefs from the Library and all the sensible things people have mentioned online. I am hoping some fresh eyes see this. Can it have to do with my iMac's settings, not the eMac I'm having trouble connecting with? I've spent about 12 hours on this with no luck. Thanks,
George

O.K., I tried to launch the specified site in Safari and it never loaded anything or gave me an error message. The blue filled up the address bar to cover up "http://" but it didn't progress further. The IP address it self-assigned is 169.254.60.164. My iMac which should be Internet-sharing is not sending it a proper IP address.
Both computers are up to date with updates. The iMac has OS 10.4.10, and the eMac has 10.3.9 because I still run Classic mode. I don't know enough about computers to know if those system differences would cause a problem in Airport. They both have Airport Extreme cards. Any idea which settings in the source iMac I'm sending out the Internet signal from could cause this problem? I have personal file sharing on, personal Web sharing, and printer sharing.
In my Network preferences, under my SBC DSL, the IP address looks normal, starting with a 75, but under Airport, it starts with 169.254 like the eMac's IP address setting. I don't really understand these technical issues, and I've never dealt with a wireless network before. I guess I can always pony up $180 and use a base station, and problem solved. I would think. But computer to computer Internet sharing is supposed to work, so now I am obsessed with it. Thanks again.

Airport Connects but has Self-Assigned IP address and no internet

All right Apple this is some Bull#@$% I own 3 Apple units One is a MacBook Pro, one is a Macbook and the other is a G5 Dual processor tower. The MacBook and Tower are using OS X 10.5.5 and the MacBook Pro has OS X 10.4.11. Ok here is my problem all of a sudden all 3 units that had been connecting to the same wireless router for the past year started saying (AirPort has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the internet) Apple Care suggested replacing the router well I did that and hello I have the same message. Its connecting but not going to the internet. Under network status I have green lights for Airport and Airport settings a yellow light for network settings and red lights for ISP, Internet and Server. I have this problem with both MacBooks both at the library, my friends house and my neighbors house thats 4 different wireless networks that do the same dang thing. I need help!!

I have also encountered this problem and I have been researching it all over the internet all evening and trying everything I could find a suggestion for. Here's what I have: Two G4 Powerbooks, one is a 550MHz 15" Powerbook, the other is a 1.5 GHz 17" Powerbook, they are both running 10.4.11 with all the updates that Software Update has to offer, the 17" is connecting via built in Airport Extreme card, the 15" is connecting via Sonnets Aria Extreme PC card. I have AT&T DSL and I'm using the 2Wire modem/router they provided me with. Neither of the Powerbooks can connect wirelessly to the internet. Furthermore, they cannot even ping the wireless router. 4 days ago, both were connecting without any trouble (and had been able to reliably every day since the beginning of August when I hooked everything up). I have made no changes to my router's settings over the weekend. Nor had I made any changes to the Powerbooks' settings during that time. It just stopped working. If I wire one or both of them to the router with ethernet cables, connection works fine. My Desktop G4 which is normally wired into the router via ethernet, connects fine so I know my internet service is available.
So far, I've restarted both machines numerous times, restarted the router numerous times. Reset the WEP password. Changed the wireless security to WPA. Changed it back to WEP. Trashed the airport plist. deleted every wireless network entry in Keychain. Disabled DHCP and assigned IP numbers manually. Changed the wireless channel (I've tried 1, 6, and 11 with and without interference robustness).
I've been reading posts about this issue on half a dozen web forums (dating back to as early as June 2004). It appears to affect a variety of routers (2Wire, Netgear, Linksys), a variety of machines (Powerbooks, iBooks, MacBookPros, iMacs) a variety of OSes (10.3, 10.4, 10.5).
This thing is really getting me down. Anybody have any other ideas?

Airport extreme 4th generation - self-assigned IP address

2 Airport extreme 4th generation with latest firmware. extented network in bridge mode.
After switching providers, I reset both my airports and set them up new accordingto manual.
Only some devices (less than 50!) at times can't get an IP address.
Error msg: Airport has a self-assigned IP address .......... and will not be able to connect to the internet.
My new provider told me it is an internal probem. Quote: This is an internal issue between your devices and your internal routers. we only gives an address to your router and it is your router that gives your devices an address.
My question is, which part of the manual settings in Airport Utility affect the distribution of internal IP addresses?
or how to change my set-up to avoid the problem I'm experiencing?
thanks a lot.

When in brigde mode your provider has to supply at least one IP address for each devices you want to connect.
Alt. turn bridge mode off in Airport Utilities and let your Base station distribute IP addresses. For that you have to enter two DNS addresses.
HTH.

Airport " Self Assigned Ip Address" Issue SOLVED

Hi Guys,
I finally solved my problem and i just wanted to share for those who are in the same predictament. Well, for starters i have an iMac OS X Desktop. I recently just started having problems with my airport connection. I would get the following message. " Airport has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the internet"
Now, this post is specifically for those who have tried other solutions and had no luck such as my self. Also, for those who are trying to share connection from the ethernet to airport. I have tried the "New Location" Method, The turn airport off and on method etc
So, i had to investigate myself and i have found a quite simple solution.
1. Go To > System Preferences > Network ( You should be on the exact image above )
2.Highlight Ethernet > Copy or write down The IP Address > Press the left arrow at the top left of the page, In other words go back.
3.Now Highlight Airport such as the image above > Click On " Advanced" at the bottom right of the screen.
4. You should be at the screen SIMILIAR to the one above ( depending on your computer) > Where it states " Configure IPv4" Select " Using DHCP with manual address " from the the drop down menu.
5. Where it states " IP Address" Enter your "Ethernet" IP address that you copied in step 2.
6. Click on " Apply Now" at the bottom right of the screen > A second message should now pop up confirming whether to " Apply Now " " Don't Apply" or whatever it says on your computer, just continue on clicking "Apply Now" or " Continue" , " Okay" or whatever the exact word is on your computer.
7. Go back to the original network screen, such as the one shown in the first image. ( System Prefrences >Network) , & Airport should now say connected.
So, that's what worked for me. Hopefully it will work for you too. If you need help with anything feel free to comment and i will reply soon as possible. I know how annoying this problem was for me so i am willing to help.

I'm glad it worked for you. Okay, if I understand you correctly, You are asking what password do you need when connecting to wifi on the other device ? If so, it depends on how you have your network setup. For starters, I would need to know your network specifics before I can answer. Is it an unsecured network ? Such as, your cable provider "optimumwifi" or "xfinitywifi"? Or did you create the network yourself ? If you are connecting using the Internet your cable provider provides from the modem, you do not need a password. If it asks you for an password, try using the password you used on your cable providers website. If you are using a created network. There are a few steps to retrieve the password. Also, it depends, What type of device are you trying to connect too ?

Cannot connect to internet as Airport "has a self assigned IP address"?

I suddenly cannot connet to wireless internet as the Airport has a "self assigned IP address" whatever that is. I have tried removing other wireless connectons but it makes no difference. I'm trying to use the wireless connection at the hotel I'm stying in..its working fine on this computer. Any suggestions ...PLEASE?
Thanks

Hmmm... well, not what I was hoping to find b/c that is not really a helpful answer, l.b, but thanks for joining in on the discussion. I too just experienced the same problem. Yesterday I was connected just fine, a little slow, but connecting just the same. I was able to do my banking, browsing & what have ya. Today I get up and have no internet connection and my computer says it Airport has self-assigned an ip address and I cannot connect to the Internet. I haven't done anything different and as I can tell, they haven't done anything different either. My iMAC will not connect, but this piece of poop del mini will as will my iphone4 and all three of my kids' ipod touches. Soooo.... anyone else have a solution b/c I am totally at a loss here. I really need my iMac to connect. Got things to do that I can't do on here.

MY imac has a self assigned IP address

I cant use my imac coz it has a self assigned IP address and wifi not be able to connect to internet. We actually change to fiber net. when fiber net was installed in our home that's the beginning of my wifi problem. The sad thing is only my Imac got the prob. the rest of the computers at home got signal. They said fiber network makes your surfing to internet even faster but its not what I expected. one imac and one mac book pro are functioning using wifi but slower than before .The only Imac which I am using is the only one that cant be used. any suggestions from u. I tried everything. unplugged, turn off routers, rebooth imac, rebooth routers. but it still the same the IP address is self assigned.

Hello, try this...
Go to System Preferences
Click Network
Highlight AirPort and click Configure...
Choose “By default, join: Preferred networks”
Select your access point and Remove your access point with the minus button.
Launch your keychain access in Utilities and delete your access point keychain entry.
Reboot
Go back to the “By default, join:” page and click the plus this time to add your access point. Enter the correct password, save, reboot.
Instead of joining it from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.

I getting airport has a self-assigned ip address and may not be able to connect to the internet

I getting airport has a self-assigned ip address and may not be able to connect to the internet

I have got exactly the same message after we re-configured our router. I was connecting using my iMac wirelessly before hand, but now cannot. Our other PCs can connect wirelessly to the router so it's not the router. I have also tried the firewall solution but that doesn't work either.
I did call Apple Support who said that a full troubleshoot would cost £35 as my computer is older than 90 days (well yes it's been working fine that's why it's over 90 days old, it's only now that it isn't!). He said a trouble shoot didn't guarantee success so I declined his offer to charge me an extortionate amount of money for nothing! He did say that the router needs to be giving the Airport an IP address, but it isn't doing it now. His only suggestion was to turn off the router and turn it back on or power down the iMac. Neither of which help.
Anyone else had any success?

Airport has a self assigned IP address. Why and how can I fix it

Airport has a self assigned IP address and can't connect to the internet. Why and how can I fix it?

First thing you need I think is to get your iMac connected to the Internet.
Shut down your iMac and you iPad. Then power off your router. Wait 30 seconds and power up the router.
After the router indicates that it is connected to the Internet then start up your iMac and see if it connects. If the iMac connects to the Internet then your iPad should too.
If this power up sequence doesn't work you'll have to dig into the router setup to make sure it is working properly.

IMac self assigning IP addresses to both Airport and Ethernet, randomly

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