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My Network Camera Keeps Changing Its IP Address: 5 Common Causes & Fixes

Feb 233 min read


my network camera keeps changing its ip address

Introduction


When you’re in the Education or Public Sector managing a network of security cameras, you need consistency. But what happens when your cameras keep changing IP addresses, causing interruptions in monitoring, connectivity issues, or even downtime? This frustrating problem is common, but the good news is that there are straightforward solutions.


In this post, we’ll explore five common reasons why your network camera keeps changing IP addresses—and what you can do to fix it.



 

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1. Your Cameras Are Using Dynamic IP Addresses (DHCP)


The Problem:

Network cameras often default to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which means they receive a random IP address from the router every time they reboot or reconnect.


The Fix:

Assign a Static IP Address to each camera:

  • Access your camera’s web interface or configuration tool.

  • Locate the network settings and switch from DHCP to Static IP.

  • Choose an IP address outside the DHCP range of your router (e.g., if your router assigns 192.168.1.100-200, pick 192.168.1.50).

  • Save and restart the camera.


2. Your DHCP Lease Time Is Too Short


The Problem:

Even if DHCP is enabled, your network’s DHCP lease time determines how long a device keeps an IP address before expiring and assigning a new one. Short lease times can cause frequent IP changes.


The Fix:

  • Log into your router or DHCP server.

  • Locate DHCP Lease Time settings.

  • Increase the lease time (e.g., change from 24 hours to 7 days or longer).



3. Conflicting IP Addresses on Your Network


The Problem:

my network camera keeps changing its IP address

If multiple devices are assigned the same IP address, your network may force a change to avoid conflicts, making your camera’s IP unstable.


The Fix:

  • Ensure each device has a unique static IP.

  • Check the DHCP reservation list on your router to avoid overlaps.

  • Use an IP Scanner Tool (e.g., Angry IP Scanner) to detect duplicate addresses.


4. Your Router or Network Switch Is Rebooting Frequently


The Problem:

If your network hardware is experiencing frequent reboots, your cameras may request new IP addresses every time they reconnect.


The Fix:

  • Check your router’s uptime logs to see if it’s rebooting unexpectedly.

  • Ensure your firmware is up to date.

  • Replace old, failing network hardware if necessary.


5. Your Network Is Using Multiple Subnets or VLANs


The Problem:

If your network is configured with multiple subnets or VLANs, cameras might switch between them due to misconfiguration or inconsistent routing policies.


The Fix:

  • Confirm that your cameras and NVR (Network Video Recorder) are on the same subnet.

  • If using VLANs, configure proper inter-VLAN routing so cameras don’t lose connectivity.

  • Work with your network admin to properly segment and route traffic.


Final Thoughts

Having network cameras that keep changing IP addresses can cause major operational headaches, but the good news is that it’s preventable. By using static IPs, extending lease times, avoiding conflicts, ensuring hardware stability, and managing VLANs properly, you can keep your cameras online and accessible without interruption.


For IT teams in the Education and Public Sector, ensuring network stability is critical—especially for security systems. If your cameras are still experiencing issues, consider conducting a full network audit to identify other potential network bottlenecks.



 

Ready to improve your school network infrastructure? Take action today. Contact us below:



 

My Network Camera

Keeps Changing its IP Address


Problem

Explanation

Try

Cameras Using Dynamic IP Addresses (DHCP)

Cameras default to DHCP, meaning they get a new IP every time they restart, causing connectivity issues.

Assigning a Static IP Address by accessing the camera’s settings switching from DHCP to Static IP, and choosing an IP outside the DHCP range.

DHCP Lease Time Is Too Short

A short lease time causes frequent IP changes as addresses expire and get reassigned.

Increase DHCP Lease Time in router settings (e.g., from 24 hours to 7 days or more).

Conflicting IP Addresses on the Network

Multiple devices sharing the same IP can force the network to reassign addresses, making the camera's IP unstable.

Ensure unique static IPs, check the DHCP reservation list, and use an IP Scanner Tool to detect conflicts.

Router or Network Switch Rebooting Frequently

Hardware reboots force devices to request new IPs, disrupting connectivity.

Check router uptime logs, update firmware, and replace failing hardware if needed.

Multiple Subnets or VLANs Causing IP Changes

Cameras might switch between subnets due to misconfiguration or inconsistent routing policies.

Ensure cameras and NVR are on the same subnet, configure inter-VLAN routing, and work with a network admin for proper segmentation.

Need help troubleshooting? Let's talk.

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