How To Fix ifconfig Not Found

If you’re using Windows 10 or a legacy version of Linux, you may have relied on the ipconfig (Internet Protocol Configuration) command line prompt to check the IP addresses assigned to your devices. It’s a versatile command, especially in Linux, where it can display Wi-Fi and Ethernet IP addresses. That makes it all the more frustrating when you get the dreaded “ipconfig Not Found” error.

This error can happen for several reasons, with the fixes being different depending on whether you’re using a Windows 10 or legacy Linux operating system.

Fixing ipconfig Not Found in Windows 10

In Windows 10, an ipconfig issue can manifest as either an “ipconfig not found” warning or an “ip config not recognized” alert. Either way, you’ve just lost a useful method for checking IP addresses, flushing Domain Name Servers (DNSs), and modifying various aspects of your Windows 10 PC.

There are three possible fixes for an “ipconfig not found” error in Windows 10.

Fix 1 – Use the Path Variable Function

With the path variable function, you can add file locations to a system path, giving you the ability to run executable files. That matters because an “ipconfig not found” error can result from the incorrect system path being assigned to the ipconfig function.

Fixing that issue is a case of adding the correct path variables.

1. Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog box and type “sysdm.cpl.”
   
2. Hit “Enter” and select “System Properties.”
   
3. Navigate to the “Advanced” tab.
   
4. Find and click “Startup and Recovery,” which you’ll after clicking the “Environment Variables” button.
   
5. Look for a variable called “Path” in the new window, and double-click it.
   
6. Click “New” and type “%SystemRoot%\system32” to create a new path.
   
7. Select “OK” before restarting your computer.
   

After rebooting, you should find that your manually configured path allows the ipconfig command to work again. But you may also run into a problem when following these steps – the “Path” variable mentioned in the fifth step may not appear in the “Startup and Recovery” pop-up.

If that happens, you can create the Path variable and link its value to the ipconfig command with these steps:

1. From the “Startup and Recovery” window, click “New.”
   
2. Type “Path” as the “Variable name” in the popup box.
   
3. Enter “%SystemRoot%\system32” into the “Variable value” textbox.
   
4. Hit “OK” and reboot your device.
   

Fix 2 – Perform DISM and SFC Scans

Sometimes, the ipconfig issue means there’s a problem with the executable file beyond wonky pathfinding. The file may be corrupted or missing, so configuring a new path won’t work because there’s nowhere for that path to go.

Fixing the broken or lost executable can resolve your ipconfig issue. And you can do that by running the SFC and DISM scanning tools:

1. Navigate to your Windows search bar and type “cmd” to find the Command Prompt app.
   
2. Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
   
3. Type “sfc/scannow” and tap the “Enter” key to run a check for any integrity issues in your system.
   
4. After completing the process, repeat Step 1 and Step 2 to reopen Command Prompt as an administrator.
5. Type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and hit “Enter.”
   

Allow the process to run (it takes about 15 minutes) and it should detect and fix any corrupted executables or system files, including ipconfig. Once the scan finishes, type “ipconfig” into Command Prompt to see if it works again.

Fix 3 – Use Powershell

Using Microsoft Powershell isn’t technically a fix for the “ipconfig not found” issue. It’s a replacement, i.e., a way to get around the problem using what is essentially a more powerful version of the Command Prompt app. Its commands, such as “Get-NetIPConfiguration,” deliver more detailed results than the ipconfig command.

Using it is simple:

1. Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog box.
   
2. Type “Powershell” and open the app.
   
3. Type a Powershell command to check your IP address, such as “ ” or “Get-NetIPConfiguration.”
   

This isn’t a perfect fix – you don’t get ipconfig back for your Windows 10 device. But as an alternative, it delivers better results and means you don’t have to mess around with creating new paths or fixing broken executables.

Fixing ipconfig Not Found in Linux

Older versions of Linux had the ipconfig command pre-installed, but a lack of maintenance led to most developers abandoning it as a defunct command. If you run into the “ipconfig not found” error in Linux, it usually means you’re running a new version of the operating system for which the command no longer exists.

But you can get your hands on it by installing the net-tools package.

Installing the net-tools package is a simple case of running a command, though the command differs depending on the version of Linux you have.

• Arch-Based Systems – Run “sudo pacman -S net-tools”
• Debian and Ubuntu Systems or Derivatives – Run “sudo apt install net-tools”
• RHEL, Fedora, and CentOS Systems – Run “sudo dnf install net-tools”

The relevant command for your system prompts Linux to install net-tools, which contains the ipconfig executable. Once installed, try running ipconfig from the command line to see if it works.

Running the Alternative to ipconfig in Linux

The main reason why you’ll run into the “ipconfig not found” error in Linux is that it (and the net-tools package) is considered “deprecated.” This means Linux developers collectively believe it to be out of date, so they’re no longer working on it.

Thankfully, the net-tools package was replaced by iproute2 in newer versions of Linux, which has a command that delivers the same output as the older ipconfig command delivered. Simply type “ip a” as a command and you should see an output displaying your Linux device’s IP address.

Solve Your ipconfig Woes

Running into the “ipconfig not found” error is annoying when all you want to do is check a device’s IP address. Still, it’s increasingly common, especially given that ipconfig is a legacy command that’s considered outdated on both Windows and Linux systems. In Windows, it’s replaced by the Powershell app, and its new command, whereas the iproute2 software suite replaces it in newer versions of Linux.

Uses of legacy systems, or in Linux’s case, those who just want to get access to ipconfig on a new operating system, have workarounds and fixes. Redownloading, fixing the path to ipconfig, and running scans to confirm the executable isn’t corrupted can all solve your “ipconfig not found” error.

Do you prefer to use ipconfig ahead of the new commands offered in Windows and Linux? How often did you use ipconfig before you ran into the “not found” issue? Let us know in the comments section below.