Buzz
Networks are divided into smaller subnets to enhance data transmission speed and simplify management. Routers achieve this by assigning subnet masks, a sequence of numbers that indicate the position within an IP address to identify subnets. Finding a subnet mask on a computer is generally straightforward, though it may be more complex on other devices. If another device requires a subnet mask, you can use the same settings as on your computer.
Steps
On Windows
Open Command Prompt. Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to open the Command Prompt window.
- If Command Prompt does not open, click the Start button or the Windows icon at the bottom left of the screen. Then, type "command prompt" into the search bar and double-click the icon that appears. You may need to press the Search button first to access the search bar.
- If there is no icon at the bottom left of the touch screen, move the cursor to the bottom right and swipe up or swipe from the right side.
Enter the ipconfig command. Precisely type ipconfig /all, including the space in between, then press ↵ Enter. Windows ipconfig is a program that tracks all network connections, and this command will display a list containing all network information.
Locate the subnet mask. This option is found under the "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection" section. Look for the line starting with "Subnet Mask" and carefully note the subnet mask details. Most subnet masks are sequences starting with 255, such as 255.255.255.0.
Alternatively, you can find this information in the Control Panel. Here’s another method to locate this data:
- Navigate to Control Panel → Network & Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
- On most newer Windows operating systems, click on "Change adapter settings" on the left. For Windows Vista, click on "Manage Network Connections".
- Right-click on "Local Area Connection" and select "Status". Then, click on "Details" in the window that appears to find the subnet mask information.
On Mac
Click on the "System Preferences" icon in the Dock. If the Dock does not have this icon, click on the Apple logo at the top left of the screen and select "System Preferences".
Click on the "Network" icon. On most versions of Mac OS X, the gray globe-shaped Network icon is typically located within the "System Preferences" window. If you can't find it, type Network into the search bar at the top right of the System Preferences window.
Select your Internet connection from the list on the left. Click on the network name that shows a green dot and the status "Connected" below it.
Click on "Advanced" if you're using WiFi. This option is located at the bottom right of the window. For most connection types, you'll see the Subnet Mask details displayed on the right side of the screen.
Select the TCP/IP tab in the "Advanced" window. TCP/IP on Mac specifies the network access protocol.
Locate the subnet mask. The subnet mask will be labeled as "Subnet Mask" and typically starts with the number 255.
- If the only numbers you see are in the lower half of the screen under the heading "Configure IPv6," it means you're connected to an IPv6 local network, which doesn't use a subnet mask. To access the internet, you'll need to select "Using DHCP" from the "Configure IPv4" menu and then click Renew DHCP Lease to refresh your IP address.
On Linux
Open the command line. If you're unsure how to access the command line, refer to a detailed guide specific to your Linux distribution. Familiarizing yourself with the command line environment is also recommended before proceeding.
Enter the ifconfig command. In the command line window, type ifconfig and press ↵ Enter.
- If nothing happens except a notification that you need to be an administrator, follow this guide to gain root access.
Locate the subnet mask. This information will be labeled "Mask" or "Subnet Mask" and typically starts with the number 255.
Set up your TV or another device
Use the same settings as on your computer. When setting up a smart TV or another device, you might need to input the subnet mask. This parameter is specific to your local network. For optimal results, follow the earlier instructions to locate the subnet mask on your computer. These settings can also be applied to other devices on the network.
- If the device still fails to connect, open the information on your computer to reference while adjusting the device settings.
- If you can't find the subnet mask on your computer, try entering 255.255.255.0. This is a common subnet mask for most home networks.
Change the IP address. If the device still can't go online, check the IP address. This information is also available in the subnet mask settings window. Use any method to find the subnet mask and compare this address with the IP address on your computer. Then, copy the entire IP address of your computer except for the last number or group of numbers after the final dot, and replace it with a larger number (but less than 254). It's advisable to use a number at least 10 higher, as closer numbers might already be in use by other devices on the network.
- For example, if your computer's IP address is 192.168.1.3, you could set the device's IP address to 192.168.1.100.
- If you can't find your computer's IP address, check the label on your router or search online using the router's brand along with "IP address." Then, change the last group of numbers and use it for the new device.
- If you still can't find the information, try using 192.168.1.100, 192.168.0.100, 192.168.10.100, or 192.168.2.100.
Set up the Gateway. The Gateway value should match the one on your computer, which is essentially the router's IP address. This value is usually similar to the device's IP address, differing only in the last group of numbers (replaced with 1).
- For instance, if a device on the network has an IP address of 192.168.1.3, you could set the Gateway value to 192.168.1.1.
- On any browser, type http:// followed by the Gateway value. The router's information page will open if the Gateway is correct.
Configure DNS. You can use the DNS settings from your computer or the Gateway value. Alternatively, search for "public DNS" online to explore more options.
Contact the manufacturer. If the device still can't connect after setup, reach out to the manufacturer's technical support team.
Advice
- If the subnet mask displays all zeros (e.g., 0.0.0.0), you might be offline.
- The subnet mask will appear on the active adapter. For instance, if you're using a Wi-Fi card, the subnet mask will be listed under the wireless network card. If your computer has multiple adapters, such as a Wi-Fi card and a network card, you may need to scroll up or down to locate the relevant data field.
- IPv6 networks do not use subnet masks. The subnet information is integrated directly into the IP address. The fourth group of characters, separated by a colon (or the 49th–64th binary value), represents the subnet parameter.
Warning
- Changing the subnet mask may result in a loss of Internet connectivity.
