- The message “obtaining IP address” is usually due to configuration errors in Android or the router, especially in DHCP, MAC filtering and Wi-Fi encryption.
- On mobile devices, it's crucial to check saved networks, reset network settings, test static IP, and, on recent models, disable random MAC addressing on the problematic network.
- For a stable connection, it's advisable to perform a thorough router restart, update the firmware, check the MAC filters and firewall, and use modern encryption such as WPA2-PSK or WPA3.
- If, after trying everything on different networks, the problem persists only on that phone, there may be a hardware problem or a device that is already obsolete compared to current networks.
When the phone gets stuck on the message screen indefinitely “Obtaining IP address” when connecting to Wi-FiThe feeling of being stuck is complete: you see the network, enter the password, it seems like it's going to connect… and nothing. Sometimes it stays like this for minutes, connects briefly, and then loses the connection again. Luckily, although it's a very annoying problem, it usually has a solution if you know where to look.
This problem can come from both your Android phone as well as the router or Wi-Fi access point...and even small "hidden" options like MAC filtering or the firewall. Furthermore, on modern phones, things like random MAC addressing or Google Play services come into play. Let's look, step by step, at all the possible causes and what you can do in each case to get your Wi-Fi working smoothly again.
Why does the message “obtaining IP address” appear?
For a mobile phone to connect to Wi-Fi, the router must assign it a internal IP address via DHCPIf something goes wrong during this exchange, the phone gets stuck in the "obtaining IP address" loop and cannot browse the internet. This error can be due to incorrect configuration, a software bug, or even a physical problem with the device.
In many cases the origin lies in a incorrect Android configurationCorrupted network settings, conflicting saved networks, use of incompatible IP addresses, or a specific bug after an update. The function of random MAC addresswhich some mobile phones use by default and which, with certain routers, causes strange behavior.
Don't forget the router part: a poorly configured MAC address filtering, a outdated firmware, outdated Wi-Fi encryption, or an overly aggressive firewall They can block IP address assignments without it being obvious. There may even be internal rules in the router that assign static IPs to certain devices and exclude the rest.
Less common, but possible, is that the problem is of hardware: damaged Wi-Fi antenna, poor build quality, or severe interference from other networks and devices. In this case, the phone sees the network but cannot establish a stable connection and gets stuck in the IP address acquisition phase.
Solutions when the problem is with your mobile phone
The first thing to do is rule out that the problem is with you. Android phone and its network settingsBefore making drastic changes, it's a good idea to try the simpler adjustments that usually fix most cases.
Restart your phone and use airplane mode
It may sound basic, but many network failures are fixed with a simple Restart your device or activate airplane mode for a few seconds.Android resets all wireless modules (Wi-Fi, mobile data, Bluetooth, NFC, location…) and forces a new negotiation with the router.
First try activating the airplane mode from quick accessWait 15-30 seconds and then turn it off. If your phone is still stuck on "obtaining IP address," perform a full power cycle and turn it back on. This type of restart clears minor app and system process blocks that may be interfering with Wi-Fi.
Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect
If you've been connected to the same network for a while, there may be saved data causing conflicts. A quick way to "start from scratch" is Delete the saved Wi-Fi network and add it again like it was the first time.
On most Android phones, the process is similar: you enter Settings > Connections > Wi-FiTap the problematic network and choose the "Forget" or "Delete" option. This erases the stored password and any additional settings. Then, reselect your Wi-Fi network and re-enter the password. Retrieve your Wi-Fi password and check if the IP address acquisition message stops appearing.
Keep in mind that, depending on the customization layer (One UI, MIUI, etc.) and the android versionThe menu names may change, but it's always based on the same concept: accessing the specific network and removing it. If you have another network available (for example, your work Wi-Fi or someone else's mobile hotspot), try connecting to that to see if the problem is only with your home network or with any network. If you manage multiple networks, you can also... prioritize Wi-Fi networks on Android to improve the connection.
Reset Android network settings
If deleting the network isn't enough, the next logical step is reset all mobile network settingsThis erases all saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, Bluetooth connections, and other connectivity settings that may be corrupted.
In general terms, you can do it like this: open the app of Settings and go to System, Additional Settings or General Administration (This depends on the brand.) Inside, look for the "Reset" or "Reset options" section and select "Reset network settings." Android will ask for your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint as confirmation, and upon acceptance, it will reset all network settings.
After this process you will have to Re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and pair your Bluetooth devicesbecause the phone will have forgotten them. In return, you instantly remove any unusual settings inherited from previous versions, apps, or changes you made without remembering.
Use a static IP address on your mobile device
In many networks, the router automatically assigns IP addresses using DHCP, but sometimes this system fails and the mobile device gets stuck. One possible solution is set up a Static IP on Android for that specific networkso that the phone does not depend on the router's DHCP server.
To do this, go to Settings > Wi‑FiPress and hold the problematic network and select "Manage network settings" or something similar. Enable "Advanced options" and locate the "IP settings" field, which is usually set to "DHCP". Change it to "Static", and the fields for entering the IP address, gateway, and DNS will appear.
The usual thing is to use the same subnet as the routerFor example, if your router's IP address is 192.168.1.1, you can assign your mobile device an IP address of 192.168.1.X by changing only the last number (between 2 and 255) and ensuring that no other device is using it. The gateway is usually the router's IP address, and you can leave the router's default DNS servers or use public ones (for example, 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1). Once saved, check if the "Obtaining IP address" message disappears.
Keep in mind that when choosing a static IP address, the mobile phone It will always connect to that same addressIf you change the router's configuration in the future, reset everything, or if the network administrator adjusts the range, you could experience conflicts. This is a useful solution for diagnosis and, in some cases, for permanent configuration, but it's important to know exactly what you're doing.
Disable random MAC addressing and use the real MAC address
Many current mobile phones use a default random MAC address for each networkThe goal is to improve privacy and make it harder to track the device. The problem is that some routers or MAC filters don't work well with this feature.
Some users have found that the "obtaining IP address" loop disappears when Disable random MAC addressing and use the phone's physical MAC address.To do this, access your Wi-Fi network settings (just like before, by pressing and holding the network name and selecting "Manage network" or a similar option) and look for the section related to "MAC address type" or "Privacy". Change the option from "Random" or "Private" to "Use device MAC address" or equivalent.
Then, forget the network and reconnect with the original MAC address of the mobile phoneIf your router uses MAC filtering, you may need to add this real address to the allowed list. In many cases, this simple change is what unlocks access.
Change the name of the Android device
It may be surprising, but there are reported cases where the problem of The error obtaining the IP address was resolved by changing the phone nameSome network services or tools misidentify certain generic names or unusual strings and cause conflicts.
To try it, go to Settings> About phone (or a similar menu) and locate the field where the device name is displayed. Change it to something simple, without unusual characters, save the changes, and try connecting to Wi-Fi again. On phones managed through "Find My Device" or your Google account, you can also change the name from your browser.
Clear the cache of Google Play Services
On Android, the Google Play services are involved in a multitude of internal processesThis includes some related to connectivity and account management. If your cache becomes corrupted, it can cause unusual behavior, including IP address assignment failures.
To clear the cache, go to Settings> Applications (or “App Manager”), search for “Google Play Services”, go to “Storage”, and tap “Clear cache”. Do not delete all data, only the cache. This operation is safe and often resolves conflicts that seemed unrelated to Google.
Update the smartphone's operating system
Another possible cause is that you are using a old or known buggy version of Android in Wi-Fi management. Manufacturers are correcting these problems through system updates and security patches.
To check it, go to Settings > System > Software updates (or a similar menu depending on the brand) and check for new versions. If an update is available, download and install it with a good battery and, if possible, connected to a different, working Wi-Fi network or using mobile data. After updating, restart your device and test the connection again.
Reset your phone to factory settings (last resort)
If none of the above works and you're almost certain the problem is with the phone, you can consider a factory resetIt's a drastic measure, but it completely cleans the system and removes any trace of corrupted configurations, conflicting apps, or improperly applied updates.
Before doing so, it is essential to create a Back up your photos, files, contacts, and appsYou can use your Google cloud backup, a computer, or both. Then, in Settings > System > Reset, look for the "Factory data reset" option. Keep in mind that this will erase all content on your phone and return it to its initial state, so you'll have to set it up from scratch and restore from your backup.
When the fault originates from the router or access point
If you have tried with your mobile phone in other networks and connects without a problemThe problem is most likely with your home router, a Wi-Fi repeater, or the specific access point you're trying to connect to. In this case, there are several checks worth performing.
Restart the router properly
Turning the router off and on randomly isn't always the best approach; it's recommended to perform a Perform a full restart, leaving the device off for at least 30 seconds.This thoroughly clears the device's RAM and cleans up minor internal errors, including DHCP server blockages that assign IP addresses.
Turn off your router (and any repeater or PLC you're connected to), wait half a minute, and turn it back on. Once all the lights are stable, try connecting your phone again. If you were using a Wi-Fi repeater or PLCRestart them too, because many times the IP error is generated by the repeater and not the main router.
Check the router's MAC filtering
Many routers offer the option to Filter by MAC address to control which devices can connect. If your mobile phone is not on the allowed list (or is on a block list), it will remain stuck on “obtaining IP” without actually browsing.
To check this, go to the router administration interface from the browserYou usually access it with an address like 192.168.1.1 (look for it on the router's sticker if you don't know it) and a username and password, which are also usually printed there. Once inside, look for the Wi-Fi or wireless security section, and within it, something like "MAC Address Filtering" or "Access Control."
If filtering is active, check if your device appears on the blocked list or simply temporarily disables the MAC filter To see if the phone can connect. If disabling it eliminates the IP address acquisition error, you know that was the problem. Afterward, you can either reconfigure it more neatly or leave it off and strengthen security with a strong password.
Change the encryption and security of the Wi-Fi network
The type of network encryption also plays a role. Some phones have problems with it. older security methods like WEP or with unusual mixed configurations. Furthermore, outdated ciphers are far less secure and can be broken with brute-force tools.
Go back into your router's Wi-Fi settings and check which security mode you're using. Currently, the most recommended option is... WPA2-PSK with AESor WPA3 if your router and devices support them. Avoid WEP and configurations that mix incompatible modes. After changing the encryption, save the settings, restart your router if necessary, and re-enter the password on your mobile device.
Update the router firmware
Just like with mobile phones, routers need to have a Firmware updated to fix bugs and vulnerabilitiesIn some older models, errors in DHCP management or address tables can cause problems when assigning IP addresses to certain devices.
The update is usually done from the router's control panel, in a section like "Firmware Update" or "Router Software." On many modern models, simply clicking "Check for Update" will allow the device to download and install the new version automatically. On others, you'll first need to download the file from the manufacturer's website.
Keeping the firmware up to date not only helps with the network stability and performancebut it also reduces the risk of attacks that could crash the router or manipulate the allocation of IP addresses.
Check the firewall on the router or other equipment
Some routers, external firewalls, or even advanced security suites may have overly restrictive rules that block IP address acquisition traffic from mobile devices. If the firewall blocks DHCP requests, the mobile device never receives its address and remains stuck in a loop.
If you suspect this, enter the router or gateway firewall configuration And check the rules. As a test, you can temporarily disable the firewall to see if the phone connects without problems. If the error disappears when you disable it, you'll need to adjust the rules to allow DHCP traffic and access for your specific device.
However, disabling the firewall leaves your network more exposed, so You should only do it occasionally and in a controlled manner.If you're not comfortable with these options, it might be a good idea to consult someone with experience or your carrier's technical support.
Potential hardware failures and outdated mobile phones
If you've checked both your phone and router, tried several networks, and the error persists, it's time to consider that there might be a... physical problem with the phone's Wi-Fi antenna or that the device has become outdated compared to modern networks and standards. In these cases, consult how Improve Wi-Fi stability on mobile devices with older hardware.
Problems with the Wi-Fi antenna or interference
In very budget-friendly or older devices, it's not uncommon for the Wi-Fi antenna has limited quality or even a defect. This results in very poor reception, constant dropouts, or an inability to establish a connection properly even if the network appears in the list.
In addition, there is interference from other networks or devices (microwaves, cordless phones, other routers) operating on the same frequencies. If there is a lot of congestion, communication between the mobile phone and the router can become unstable, and the phone can get stuck during the IP address acquisition stage, especially on weak or congested networks.
In these cases, in addition to checking the behavior of the mobile phone in other networks and at different distances from the routerChanging the Wi-Fi channel can help, or use the 5 GHz band If both the router and the phone support it. If only your mobile phone has problems while other devices work fine in the same location, the suspicion of a hardware failure becomes stronger.
When to consider changing your mobile phone
Although it's annoying, there are situations where the most sensible thing to do is to change phones because the current one has become obsolete or it may simply no longer be compatible with modern networks and standards. Very old devices may not handle certain types of encryption, frequency bands, or current speeds well.
Furthermore, a mobile phone that no longer receives security updates is more vulnerable to malware, data theft, and other attacksThis can cause performance issues when accessing apps and services that rely on faster, more stable connections. If your phone fails on multiple networks, hasn't received updates in years, and shows other signs of aging, it might be time to consider a replacement.
Ultimately, the "obtaining IP address" error is usually resolved by combining several of the above measures: checking Android settings, trying a static IP address, disabling random MAC address selection, restarting and updating the router, and even adjusting encryption, filtering, and firewall settings. Only in very specific cases will it be due to physical damage to the phone or an irreparably outdated device, but it's worth keeping in mind if nothing else works and the rest of the devices in the house connect without issue.
