Overview
When adding a new network to your Dashboard, you may receive an error. In this article, we cover the most common errors and solutions to help you successfully add your network.
Common errors and how to resolve them
This error occurs because private IP addresses are used for devices within your local network (like your computer, phone, or printer connected to your router). These addresses are only visible and used for communication within your home or office network.
OpenDNS resolvers, however, operate on the public internet. They can only see the external, public IP address that your ISP assigns to your router. This public IP is the single address that represents your entire network to the outside world. Because OpenDNS interacts with your network via this public address, private IP addresses cannot be added to your OpenDNS dashboard or used for configuration.
For more detailed information on private IP addresses and network addressing, you can refer to resources like the Wikipedia article on Private Networks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_network
To find your current public IP address, which is what OpenDNS sees, look at the top of your dashboard where it says Your Current IP is or visit a service like myip.dnsomatic.com.
This error means that your IP address is already registered in our database. This problem will occur when someone on your network has already registered your IP address or another OpenDNS user does not keep their network settings properly maintained and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or carrier leases you the improperly maintained network.
This error means that your IP address is part of a network already registered in our database.
If you are encountering errors related to your public IP address when adding your network, obtaining a new public IP or ensuring OpenDNS is correctly identifying your current one can help. Here are some troubleshooting steps:
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Power Cycle Your Router and Modem: This is the most frequent and often effective solution for dynamic IP addresses. Unplug both your modem and router completely from their power sources. Wait for at least 10-15 minutes (some users find waiting even longer, like 30 minutes or more, to be more effective). Plug the modem back in first and wait for it to fully boot up and establish an internet connection (all lights should be stable). Then, plug in your router and let it boot up. This process can encourage your ISP's DHCP server to assign your equipment a new public IP address.
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Release and Renew IP via Router Interface: Many routers have an option in their web-based administration panel to release and renew the WAN (public) IP address lease. Access your router's settings (usually by typing its IP address into a web browser), find the internet or WAN connection settings, and look for buttons or options labeled "DHCP Release" and "DHCP Renew." Clicking these in sequence can prompt your router to request a new IP address from your ISP.
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Contact Your ISP: If power cycling or using your router's interface doesn't result in a new public IP address, contact your Internet Service Provider's technical support. Explain that you are encountering issues with a service (OpenDNS) because your current public IP address appears to be in conflict or previously registered. Inquire if it's possible for them to assist in assigning your connection a new public IP address.