Change a 169 IP Address

If your IP Address starts with 169.XX.XX.XX you have an invalid IP Address and will not be able to access the Internet. The reasons you would have such an IP Address are: (1) You've hooked a new computer up to your modem (or a different computer), (2) You have reformatted your hard drive, (3) You connected another device to your modem or router and have lost your correct IP Address. The above mentioned are usually the reasons you lose your IP. A correct IP Address starts with 192.168.X.XXX if you have a router, if you're connected directly from the modem to one computer your IP Address will start with 2 numbers before the first decimal point instead of 3, in a format like 24.XX.XX.XX, or 72.XX.XX.XX, or 68, 69, 72, etc.

This article will show you how to "release and renew" your IP Address and restore your Internet connection
Instructions

1. Renewing your IP Address will require that you initially unplug your router and connect directly from your modem to your computer. Bypass the router altogether by unplugging the power and any cables going from the router to your modem and from the router to your computer. Once your modem is connected directly to your computer proceed to step 2.
   
2. Open your Control Panel and click on "Network Connections" if you're using Windows XP. Windows Vista, go to Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center, on the left under "Tasks" click on "Manage Network Connections," a window will open, there you will see a "Local Area Connection" icon. Right-click on this icon and select "disable." Windows 7, go to Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center, Change Adapter Settings, then right-click on Local Area Connection and disable it.
   
3. Once you have disabled your local area connection you will then unplug the power to your modem. If your modem has a backup battery, remove the battery. By disabling your Local Area Connection and unplugging your modem, you have now "released" your IP Address. Proceed to step 4 to "renew" the IP Address.
   
4. If you have unplugged your modem and there are still lights on you have a battery back up. Find the battery and remove it otherwise the "release and renew" will not work. Leave the modem powered off for 20-30 seconds then plug it back in and re-insert the battery. Give your modem at least one minute to reset. Once the lights on your modem are back to their normal state, the modem has reset. It's a good idea to wait a minute or two, even if the lights are back to normal in 20 seconds or so.
   
5. When the modem is reset, go back to Local Area Connection, right-click, and select "enable." You will see the word "enabling" beneath the Local Area Connection icon, quickly followed by "Acquiring Network Address" with Windows XP, and "Initializing" with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Once this is done your IP Address has been "renewed" and the 169 IP will have been replaced with a valid IP Address and you now have access to the Internet.