How to Reset TCP/IP Stack on Windows & Mac (2020)

TCP/IP review: when to reset it?

TCP/IP implies a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The TCP part helps in making a connection between two endpoints and indicates the method data is transmitted and obtained. It also provides stable and proper obtaining of packets. The IP component only works with packets. In other words, TCP IP stands for a range of communication protocols that are applied to unite network devices on the web.

“just spent nearly 4 hours fixing a windows box. in the end it was the same as tech support in ‘97…”, — writes Twitter user @kastner.

TCP/IP Reset restores PC’s Internet Protocol settings to the default values and often fixes connection problems. Resetting these values is a typical practice while encountering the “This Site Can’t be Reached” or “Unable to Connect to the Internet” or “Hmm… cannot reach this page” grey alerts with error codes DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND.

Feel free to apply the navigation panel to quickly scroll down to the data on how to reset TCP IP depending on your Windows OS version.

Review of CMD commands for resolving the network issues

You may apply various commands for resetting particular network parameters. Nevertheless, be sure to execute the Command Prompt with Admin’s rights initially. Failure to do so will result in TCP/IP reset not functioning. Otherwise, you may experience the Access is Denied error.

• Netsh int ip reset – restores the Internet Protocol Settings to the default value. The command performs rewriting of two registry keys: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\
  SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DHCP\Parameters\
• Netsh Winsock reset – Resets Winsock Catalog to fresh condition. Winsock commonly deals with Internet application input/output requests.
• netsh interface ipv4 reset – resets all amendments to IPv4 parameters.
• netsh interface ipv6 reset – resets all amendments to IPv6 parameters.
• Ipconfig /release command renounces the client’s IP address obtained via the DHCP server. The /release command transmits the server a DHCP release alert so that the previous IP address could be flagged as vacant and applied by other customers.
• Ipconfig /renew – this command is applied for requesting a new IP address as well as refreshing DNS data via the DHCP server.
• ipconfig /flushdns command is applied for clearing the DNS cache and forcing hostnames to be obtained freshly and with the application of the new DNS data. Inspect our complete tutorial on flushing DNS on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ubuntu.
• netsh advfirewall reset – resetting Windows Firewall rules to the default values.

The below-given tutorial applies netsh int ip reset command. Nevertheless, feel free to apply extra commands set forth above in the case of necessity.

Resetting TCP/IP on Windows

Windows 10

1. Taking into consideration the type of your taskbar, either perform a click on magnifying glass icon in the taskbar to reveal Windows search or, if the search bar is obvious, type CMD in the field.
2. Search will give you Command Prompt result. Right-click it and select Run as Administrator.
3. Now, the User Account Control window should come up. Select Yes. If needed, provide the Admin’s password.
4. In the command prompt, specify netsh int ip reset and hit Enter. Take time until the TCP/IP resetting is completed.
5. Restart your PC.

Windows 8/8.1

If you need to reset TCP/IP on Windows 7, implement the below-given measures.

1. Apply the Windows key + R to start Run prompt. Specify cmd in it and use the Ctrl+Shift+Enter hotkey to start it as Administrator.
2. In User Account Control Window area, select Yes. If needed, provide the Administrator’s password to proceed.
3. In CMD, specify netsh int ip reset and hit Enter.
4. Take time until a full reset is completed and restart your workstation.

Windows 7/Vista

1. Proceed to the Windows icon in the bottom left area and then specify CMD in the search area.
2. Windows 7 search will display either CMD or Command Prompt under the Programs section. Right-click this matching result and choose Run as Administrator.
3. Click OK or indicate the Admin’s password to proceed.
4. In Command Prompt, specify netsh int ip reset and hit Enter.
5. Take time until TCP IP reset is successfully accomplished and then restart your workstation.

TCP/IP Reset on Mac

On MacOS or Mac OS X devices, TCP IP reset is known as Renew DHCP Lease. Refer to the given guidelines for resetting your Internet protocol parameters.

1. Proceed to the Apple icon in the top-left area and then choose System Preferences.
2. Then, select Network.
3. Click on Internet connection showing the status Connected. The next step is to click the Advanced button in the bottom left area.
4. Proceed to TCP/IP tab and select Renew DHCP Lease.
5. Hit OK for completing the task.
6. Reboot Mac.

Upon successful implementation of these guidelines, your TCP/IP stack should be reset.

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