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How to Set Up DHCP and Reserve an IP Address for a Device

If you need a device on your network to always keep the same IP address, most routers allow you to do this using a DHCP reservation.

This article explains:

  • What DHCP is
  • How to make sure DHCP is enabled
  • How to reserve an IP address for a device
  • What information you’ll need before starting

What is DHCP?

DHCP is a feature on your router that automatically gives devices an IP address when they connect to your network.

This allows devices such as computers, printers, payment terminals, or servers to connect without needing to manually configure network settings.

A DHCP reservation tells the router:

“Whenever this specific device connects, always give it the same IP address.”

This can be useful for devices that need a consistent network connection or are referenced by IP address.

Before You Begin

Before setting this up, you will need:

  • Access to your router or firewall settings
  • The username and password to log into that device
  • The MAC address of the device you want to reserve
  • A desired IP address for that device

Information You May Need

1. Router Login Address

Most routers are accessed through a web browser using a local address such as:

  • 192.168.1.1
  • 192.168.0.1
  • 10.0.0.1

If you are unsure which one your network uses, you may need assistance from your internet provider or network administrator.

2. MAC Address of the Device

The MAC address is a unique hardware identifier for the device.

It is often shown as a value similar to:

00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E

This may also be labeled as:

  • Physical Address
  • Ethernet Address
  • Wi-Fi Address
  • Hardware Address

You can usually find it in the device’s network settings or system information.

3. IP Address You Want to Reserve

This is the address the router will always assign to that device.

Example:

192.168.1.50

If you are unsure which IP to use, select one that matches your network but is not already being used by another device.

Step 1: Confirm DHCP is Enabled

  1. Open a web browser
  2. Enter your router’s login address
  3. Sign in with your router credentials
  4. Locate the section labeled something similar to:
  • LAN Settings
  • Network Settings
  • DHCP Server
  • Local Network
  1. Confirm that DHCP is turned On or Enabled

You may also see a DHCP range, such as:

  • Start: 192.168.1.100
  • End: 192.168.1.200

This is the range of addresses your router automatically gives to connected devices.

  1. Save or apply any changes if needed

Step 2: Create a DHCP Reservation

Once DHCP is enabled, you can reserve an IP address for a specific device.

1. Find the Reservation Section

Depending on the router, this may be labeled as:

  • DHCP Reservation
  • Address Reservation
  • Reserved IP
  • Static Lease
  • IP Reservation

2. Add a New Reservation

You will usually be asked to enter:

  • Device Name
    Example: Front Desk PC
  • MAC Address
    Example: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
  • Reserved IP Address
    Example: 192.168.1.50

3. Save the Reservation

After entering the information:

  • Click Save
  • Click Apply
  • Or click Add, depending on the router

Step 3: Reconnect the Device

To allow the reservation to take effect:

  • Restart the device
    or
  • Disconnect and reconnect it to the network

Once it reconnects, it should receive the reserved IP address.

How to Verify It Worked

After reconnecting the device, confirm that it now has the IP address you assigned.

You can usually check this in:

  • The device’s network settings
  • Your router’s connected devices list
  • Your network management page

Best Practices

When reserving an IP address:

  • Make sure the IP address is not already in use
  • Use a naming convention that helps identify the device
  • Keep a record of reserved devices for future reference

Common examples of devices that often benefit from reservations include:

  • POS systems
  • Printers
  • Access points
  • Servers
  • Security devices
  • Specialty network equipment

Common Issues

The device did not receive the reserved IP

Try the following:

  • Restart the device
  • Reboot the router if needed
  • Double-check the MAC address entered in the reservation

The router will not save the reservation

This may happen if:

  • The IP address is already assigned to another device
  • The MAC address was entered incorrectly
  • The router requires changes to be manually applied or saved

I cannot find the DHCP settings

Router menus vary by manufacturer. If you do not see the options described above, check under:

  • LAN
  • Network
  • Advanced
  • Local Network
  • DHCP Server

If you still cannot locate the setting, you may need to refer to your router manufacturer’s documentation.

Summary

A DHCP reservation allows your router to always assign the same IP address to a specific device.

To complete this setup, you will need:

  • Access to your router
  • The device’s MAC address
  • An available IP address on your network

Once configured, the device should continue receiving the same IP address automatically whenever it reconnects.