Many of us use a network device at home or in the office to connect several clients (computer, TV, tablet, smartphone...) to the Internet. As a rule, to access the global network, a router is used, which assigns each device connected to it its own unique IP address. A unique network address will be assigned to the device automatically if you enable DHCP on the router and activate the “Obtain an IP address automatically” option in the settings of the created connection for all clients on the local network.
After this, all devices located on the home or office network will access the Internet under the same IP address, but on the local network they will have different IPs. DHCP is a very popular option and if you decide on a second device using a media server or want to transfer, then the DHCP function on the router must be activated, otherwise everything will have to be configured manually. Using a DHCP server you can.
To enable DHCP you need. To do this, enter the gateway address into the browser address bar (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), enter your login and password in the form and click the “Login” button. By the way, if the network device was previously used to connect to the network of another Internet provider, then I recommend that you first do so and connect to the current service provider.
Activating the automatic configuration protocol on the router.
As a rule, by default this option is enabled on the network device, but for various reasons, for some users it is not in an active state. I will show you how to enable DHCP on an ASUS and TP-Link router, and by analogy you can enable the dynamic host configuration protocol on any other model from any manufacturer. The principle is the same on all devices, only the interface shell is different.
ASUS. After activation in the interface, go to the “Local Network” section to the “DHCP Server” tab and in the “Enable DHCP Server” item, move the switch to the “Yes” position. On the same page you can set the starting and ending pool of IP addresses. Essentially, this is a range of unique network addresses, one of which the router will assign to the device when connecting to it.
So that every time you connect a device (computer, TV, smartphone...) to the local network, the router assigns it the same network address, you need (the procedure for assigning a static IP is described in detail). This way, your tablet, laptop and other devices on your home or office network will have their own permanent network address, and you are guaranteed to avoid any kind of conflicts.
For example, to give a permanent IP address to a laptop, you must first, and then activate the “Enable manual assignments” option in the settings and select this device from the drop-down list. In the adjacent field, enter the desired free IP from the range and click the add button. The changes will take effect after clicking the “Apply” button and rebooting. As you can see, four clients receive my permanent IP.
TP-LINK. After logging into the network device interface, go to the “DHCP” -> “DHCP Settings” tab. On this page you can enable the DHCP server and set the starting and ending IP addresses in the fields of the same name for the local network. Please note that on the “Network” - “Local Network” (LAN) tab the current IP address of the router is indicated, therefore, it cannot assign it to any other device.
Therefore, the initial IP must be set taking into account the router’s network node and assigned the next one after it. For example, if it is 192.168.1.1, then the starting IP address can be 192.168.1.2; 192.168.1.3 or in my case 192.168.1.100. All other settings are optional, but if necessary, you can reduce the validity period of the address.
At the end of the period, the device to which the IP was issued will ask to renew it. The dialogue occurs unnoticed by you, and if there are a lot of clients on the network, then in this case the option is relevant because it does not clog the table. You can see the address expiration date, name, MAC and IP address in the list of clients connected to the network (DHCP Clients List). If there are from 3 to 10 clients on the local network, then leave everything at default or set the maximum value (2880 minutes).
The router has the ability to assign a permanent IP address to the client. Thus, when connected to a network, the network device will issue the same IP to the device. To do this, go to the “Address Reservation” tab and click the “Add New” button. Enter the MAC address of the device, set a free IP address from the available range. In the “Status” drop-down list, select “Enable” and click the “Update” button. All settings will take effect after rebooting the router.
After you enable the DHCP server on the router, make sure that all clients (computer, TV, set-top box...) have the “Obtain an IP address automatically” status in the settings. Bye!
For a modern person, life is not pleasant without the World Wide Web, and problems with the Internet connection are our worst enemies, with whom we are fighting an irreconcilable struggle. This article will equip you with the knowledge to deal with the situation if you receive the error “DHCP is not enabled on the network adapter” when establishing a connection.
What is DHCP?
DHCP is a network protocol that performs the function of automatically configuring TCP/IP network parameters, receiving them upon request from a DHCP server.
In practice, this means the exchange of certain messages between the DHCP client on the device and the server during the establishment of a network connection. During communication, the client receives new or confirms old values of the following network parameters:
IP address for the device;
subnet mask;
Default gateway IP address.
DHCP: how does it work?
The server processes client requests and leases IP addresses from its range for a certain time. If the time runs out, the client either extends the lease period or releases the address, which also happens by exchanging special messages. The server records all requests in its database to avoid address conflicts, that is, not to allocate one address to two nodes at the same time.
An address conflict can still occur if one of the devices on the network has an IP assigned manually. When connecting a new computer, the server may try to give it an address that is already occupied, as a result of which the Internet connection will not be established. How to solve this problem will be discussed further.
The DHCP protocol is widely used because it makes it possible to easily add new computers to the network and change connection settings on the server, instead of manually reconfiguring each device.
To use the DHCP protocol you will need:
configure DHCP on the router, which will play the role of a DHCP server.
start the DHCP service on the PC (it acts as a client);
In the network adapter settings, select the option to automatically obtain an IP address.
Let's look at each step in detail.
How to enable DHCP on a router?
You need to start the DHCP server on the router through the web interface. You will need to do the following:
If you can’t immediately open the router settings, try logging in from another browser or from another device. The most radical and effective solution to the problem is to reset the router settings. To do this, find the small button labeled “Reset”, press it with something thin and hold it for 5-15 seconds. It is important to keep in mind: the downside of this solution is that you will have to configure the router completely from scratch.
Launch and setup on a Windows computer
To enable DHCP on a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 10, you need to follow a similar set of steps.
Service check
To enable the DHCP client service on your PC, or make sure that it is working, open “Run” (Win + R), write “services.msc”.
In the “Services” window that opens, find the dhcp client, right-click and select “Properties”.
If you see that the service is running and starts automatically, you don't need to change anything.
If other parameters are displayed, start the service and set it to start automatically.
Configuring the network adapter
Enter “Network Connections” by pressing Win + R and entering “ncpa.cpl”.
Open your network properties, TCP/IPv4.
Select to automatically obtain an IP address and DNS server address, save the changes.
Similar manipulations can be carried out from the command line. Open “Run” (Win + R), write “cmd”.
Command to set IP address automatically:
netsh interface ip set address "your connection name" dhcp
Command to set DNS server address automatically:
netsh interface ip set dnsserver "your connection name" dhcp
Look at the connection name in its properties.
For convenient interaction of individual machines, we propose to combine them into a local network. This way you will be able to:
- access the Internet from one or another PC using one single connection;
- exchange files and print documents on one printer.
Enabling DHCP simplifies setting up any network
In addition, you will be able to remotely control any computer that is part of the network. An ADSL modem or built-in router will help organize this opportunity. All you need to do is enable DHCP on the network adapter of each PC and start the modem or router service of the same name. The device will act as a server. The great thing is that setting up DHCP will not cause problems even for an unprepared user.
How to enable DHCP? This question interests many users, because few have encountered it before. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - this is how the above abbreviation is translated. This is a special configuration protocol that provides the ability to automatically configure computers. It helps them interact with each other.
Enable DHCP
Before you start creating a network between your computers, you need to enable the DHCP server service on your router or modem. If you do not know how to do this, please refer to the operating instructions for your device. After activating the service, it needs to be rebooted. Next, you need to check whether the DHCP client service is running on all computers. This is quite easy to do. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, you just need to type the command services.msc in the search that appears above the Start button after clicking it. Press Enter. In the window that opens, you can enable or disable DHCP. The service startup type must be automatic, otherwise it needs to be made that way. As for Windows XP, the above command must be entered into the input field, which can be called up by pressing Ctrl + R. Having found the appropriate line, right-click on it and select “Properties”, then set the “Startup type” field to “Automatic” . Click "OK" and restart your PC. By the way, by performing the same steps in reverse order, the service can be disabled.
The next step is to find the mentioned service on the network adapter in the connection settings. To do this, use the Ncpa.cpl command in the above fields depending on the operating system. If you are not used to using such commands, you will find connection settings in the Control Panel. Right-click and go to “Properties” of the connection that is related to your local network. To avoid confusion, network adapters that are obviously not used in creating a shared connection can be disabled. Select "TCP/IPv4" - "Properties". Set the IP address and DNS values to be obtained automatically and click OK. After all this, it is recommended to restart your computer.
As you can see, setting up DHCP is quite simple, so even a novice PC user can easily connect several computers into one network. If you no longer need to share your PCs, you can disable the service using all the above steps.
DHCP is a network protocol with which computers can automatically receive all the necessary parameters for working on a TCP/IP network. Thanks to this service, you do not have to register IP addresses on each machine, and the process of creating a local network will be much faster and more convenient than with manual setup.
But let’s leave the general information and move on to the practical part - how to enable DHCP and configure the network correctly.
A local network is created using a router, which in this case plays the role of a server. Therefore, you must first enable the DHCP service on your router.
To do this, you need to go to the router’s web interface and find the “DHCP server” section, and then check that access is allowed there.
Also enter the starting and ending IP addresses to limit the number of possible connections. This is the easiest way to protect your network from unauthorized access.
Depending on the router model, these parameters can be configured in different interface menus. Check the instructions for your router to see where you can specify the DHCP server settings.
After saving the changes and rebooting the router, you can begin to study the question of how to enable DHCP on the computer’s network adapter.
Setting up network adapters
First of all, check if the DHCP service is running on your computer. Press Win+R and type the command “services.msc” (in Windows 7 you can write it through the search bar in the Start menu).
Scroll through the list of active available Windows services and find "DHCP Client". Make sure the Status field says it's running and the Startup Type field is set to Automatic.
To change the settings of a DHCP client, right-click on it and select “Properties”.
Through the “Control Panel” or using the “ncpa.cpl” command, open the list of available connections. Find the connection that is used on the local network and open its properties by selecting the appropriate item in the context menu. 
In the Components field, select TCP/IPv4 Internet Protocol and open its Properties. Set the values for automatically obtaining IP addresses and DNS server addresses. Save your changes. 
The router and computer network adapters are configured properly, and the DHCP protocol is ready to perform its functions.
Conclusion
Be sure to apply what you have learned if you need to connect a laptop to a laptop. Using a DHCP server, you will significantly speed up and simplify the process of connecting computers and protect yourself from possible connection errors.
If you need not just a local network that allows you to transfer data between two computers, but a wireless network to which you can connect several devices with a Wi-FI adapter, then it will be useful for you to learn how to set up mypublicwifi.
This program allows you to turn your computer into a kind of router that distributes Wi-Fi to other devices. But it would be better to buy and configure a D-Link DIR-300 router or a router of another well-known brand - in this case, the capabilities of your wireless network will be almost unlimited, and the transmission quality will allow you to use Wi-Fi without problems even at a considerable distance from the signal source.
Sometimes this error occurs when connecting wirelessly or trying to connect computers over a local network. Let's try to fix this error.
1. One of the most common causes of this error is an incorrect IP address. To fix this error, enable automatic IP address configuration.
To do this, right-click on the icon Network connections in the tray and select the item Network and Sharing Center.
Find a wireless connection or wireless network, right-click on it and select Properties.
In the window that opens, look for the item IP version 4 (TCP/IPv4), click on it with the left mouse button and click on the button Properties.
Now, in the window that opens, set a point opposite the items Obtain an IP address automatically And Obtain DNS server address automatically. Click OK. After this, this error should not appear. In some cases, you will also need to reboot the router.
2. Enable DHCP in the router settings.
In the settings we look for the item DHCP – DHCP Settings(Dynamic IP Address Mode).
Here, opposite the point DHCP server set a point opposite the point Turn on. Click on the button Save.
3. You also need to make sure that the DHCP client is running on each computer that you plan to connect to the network.
To do this, press the key combination Win+R, in the window that opens, enter the command services.msc and press the key Enter.
In the window that appears, find the item DHCP client, you need to make sure that he is able Performed. If not, right-click on this item and click Launch.
