When Connecting to WiFi what does Obtaining IP Address Mean?

Want to fix failed to obtain IP address error? Learn what does obtaining IP address mean for Android and how to fix Obtaining IP address Android WiFi problems.

When connecting to WiFi what does Obtaining IP address mean? You might ask such question if your Android phone WiFi stuck on Obtaining IP address or failed to obtain IP address.

Have you ever come across a situation when you are trying to connect your Android phone to a wireless network but your smartphone refuses to connect or stay connected to WiFi networks?

Well, there can be multiple reasons behind this behavior why you are not able to connect to WiFi and access the Internet properly. However, we have narrowed down and come up with only a few prime reasons that are responsible for endless Obtaining IP address loop issue on Android devices. And these reasons are:

  • Weak WiFi signal
  • Router glitch
  • Changes in the wireless security settings
  • Faulty Android devices
  • Black-list / whitelist settings in mac address settings on a router
  • IP address conflict
  • Wireless interference

Over the past few days, we have received many comments and emails from our readers saying they are not able to connect to the Internet and are experiencing Obtaining IP address problem in WiFi hotspot.

obtaining IP address

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If you are also facing a similar WiFi connectivity issue, you are at the right place as today we are going to explain to you how to fix failed to obtain IP address on Android mobile phone and tablet.

But before we tell you how to fix Obtaining IP address Android WiFi problems, let’s find out first what this error really means.

What Does Obtaining IP Address Mean?

If you want to connect to the Internet using any smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop, your host machine needs an IP address. There are two common ways of assigning IP address with one being the Dynamic allocation and other one being Static allocation.

Smartphones use the Dynamic allocation with which the device will automatically retrieve IP address from the DHCP servers.

If your Android device is stuck in an infinite loop of the wireless network status like “Connecting…“, “Obtaining IP address” or “Obtaining IP address from” etc. It means whether the device is unable to determine which IP address to use for connecting to the network or some unusual problems are blocking the connectivity.

In such circumstances, you will have to troubleshoot Android WiFi stuck on Obtaining IP address problems and fix failed to obtain IP address error as if this issue is not resolved, you won’t get an IP address and access to the World Wide Web.

How to Fix Obtaining IP Address Android WiFi Problems

Since now you are familiar with the main subject “when connecting to WiFi what does Obtaining IP address mean for Android?”, so now it’s time to dive into the solutions and get rid of failed to obtain IP address Android error.

There are different methods available which will help you in resolving the issue and here we have listed some of the most effective ways. You can try these solutions one by one and troubleshoot the issue on your end.

So let’s find out how to fix stuck obtaining IP address while connecting to WiFi on Android devices:

Method 1: Reconnect to Your WiFi Network

Before we go with advanced troubleshooting, it is advised to follow the basic troubleshooting steps. Reconnecting to your WiFi network should be the first thing which you can do to fix WiFi problems on your smartphone.

  • First of all, go to Settings > WiFi on your Android smartphone.
  • Next, long press on the network which is causing the problem and then tap on Forget Network option.

wifi stuck on obtaining ip address

Once the saved WiFi network is removed, try connecting to WiFi again on your android smartphone by entering the password. Now you should be able to connect to the WiFi network without facing errors like failed to obtain IP address.

Method 2: Reboot Your Router and Android Devices

Rebooting is another valuable option here which might come in handy for solving Android wifi stuck at obtaining IP address problem. You should try rebooting both: your WiFi router and your Android smartphone or tablet whichever you are using.

All of us know very well how to reboot Android devices, simply press and hold the Power button and then tap on Restart or Reboot option.

obtaining ip address android

Restarting Wifi router via the power cable is the easiest way. At first, unplug the power cable from your Wifi router and then wait 20-30 seconds for it to fully power off. After the wait, plug the power cable back into your Wifi router then wait one or two minutes for it to fully power on. Now you can try using it.

what does obtaining ip address mean

If rebooting your WiFi router and Android devices didn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to follow some more specific troubleshooting (as explained below) for whatever your network or internet issue is.

Method 3: Rename Your Android Device

It is also possible that the WiFi router is not able to identify your Android device which is leading to obtaining IP address problem in WiFi hotspot or wireless internet connection.

In this case, changing Android device name for WiFi connection is the best option. Renaming Android device is a very easy process, follow the steps mentioned below to change device name on Android:

  • At first, open Settings on your Android smartphone or tablet.
  • Next, scroll down and tap on the About device or About phone option.
  • Now, tap on the Device name option and then type in a different name according to your wish.

failed to obtain ip address

  • Finally, tap on OK button to save the changes.

Once the Android device name is changed, now see if you are able to connect to WiFi network.

You might also like to know: How to Recover WiFi Password on Windows 10

Method 4: Set a Static IP Address on Android Device

If the above-explained solutions didn’t help you in getting rid of obtaining IP address Android WiFi problem, you should assign a static IP address to your Android device.

Well, we know this is not a very solid solution for fixing failed to obtain IP address or WiFi stuck at obtaining IP address on Android phone. But it would work for sure and you may apply it as a temporary solution.

Follow the below-mentioned steps and learn how to set static IP address in Android mobile device:

  • First of all, go to Settings > WiFi and turn on WiFi if it is not already.
  • Next, tap and hold on the WiFi network for which you want to set Static IP address and then select Modify Network or Modify network config option.
  • Check the Show advanced options checkbox and then scroll down.
  • Now set the IP Settings as Static.
  • And in the IP Address field, assign IP of your choice but leave other variables untouched.

obtaining ip address problem in wifi hotspot

  • Finally, tap on the Save button to save the changes.

Suggestion: In the IP Address field, only change the last octet (you can choose any from 1-225) and it will do the job. For the example, type in 192.168.1.133 instead of your current address and then Save it.

Method 5: Disable Network notification on Android

According to some smartphone users, disabling Network notification helped them in order to fix obtaining IP address error in Android devices. Basically, Network notification is an advanced feature on Android devices which notifies you if there are any open networks around you available to connect.

Follow the steps given below and disable Network notification on Android phone or tablet:

  • First of all, open your android phone’s Settings and then tap on the WiFi option.
  • Next, tap on the three dots Menu icon or Settings icon and then select Advanced option.

how to fix obtaining IP address android wifi problems

  • Now simply disable the “Network notification” option by dragging the toggle.

Once you have disabled the Network notifications feature on your Android smartphone, now you can try connecting to your WiFi network.

Method 6: Reduce the Distance between WiFi Access Point and Android Device

As we have mentioned above, the weak signal is also one of the prime reasons that are responsible for endless Obtaining IP address loop issue on Android devices. So, if you are far away from your WiFi router then it might prevent your phone from not getting IP address and not connecting to the Internet.

Get closer to your WiFi Access Point and then connect your Android phone to WiFi network. When the signal is weak, you won’t get proper bandwidth and you might experience various connectivity issues.

Simply, reduce the distance between WiFi Access Point and Android devices you are using and check if your problem is solved.

Method 7: Use a Different Wireless Channel

Wireless Interference is another possible reason that can lead to connectivity problems with your WiFi router. Wireless interference typically happens due to walls and floors blocking wireless signals, other WiFi networks using the same channel as your own WiFi network, or appliances and electronic devices emitting radio frequency interference.

If there are multiple WiFi routers in your environment then it might lead to the interference. In this situation, changing the wireless channel of your WiFi network is the best option.

In order to change the wireless channel, you can use any free and reliable WiFi Analyzer application. There are plenty of WiFi analyzer apps available on the Internet that shows different wireless channels around you and helps you to find a less crowded WiFi channel for your wireless router.

Method 8: Use WiFi Fixer for Android

Using a WiFi troubleshooting Android application to fix all kind of WiFi connection problems on your smartphone or tablet is also a very helpful way.

There are plenty of WiFi troubleshooting apps and Wifi fixer for Android devices available on the web which you can install from the Google Play Store and resolve Android WiFi connection problems along with the endless loop of WiFi stuck at Obtaining IP address situations.

Conclusion

So these are some of the most suitable methods that can be used to resolve the obtaining IP address problem in WiFi hotspot on Android mobile phones or tablets. Usually, reconnecting to WiFi network or configuring a static IP address on Android device works in most of the cases but it would be better if you try all of them one by one.

We hope this step by step tutorial “How to fix Obtaining IP address Android WiFi problems” helped you in solving failed to Obtain IP address Android error and connecting your Android phone to a wireless network without any interruption.

If you are able to fix the issue on your end do let us know which method helped you out. If you are still having any queries regarding when connecting to WiFi what does Obtaining IP address mean for Android, contact us using the comments section below.

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