Applies to: Windows 10 or 11 using automatic IPv4 address assignment on a home network. Managed or intentionally static networks need administrator guidance.
A 169.254.x.x IPv4 address usually points to an address-assignment problem on a network that expects DHCP. Microsoft explains that this address can appear when Windows does not obtain an address from the router. It does not, by itself, prove that the Tenda router is broken or that your provider has an outage.
Capture the current state
Open Windows Settings > Network & internet and inspect the properties of the active connection. Note the IPv4 address, gateway if shown, and whether you are using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Make sure you are reading the active adapter rather than a disconnected Ethernet or virtual adapter.
Compare one other device
| Observation | Next investigation |
|---|---|
| Other devices work on the same Wi-Fi | Focus on this computer’s saved connection, adapter and address settings. |
| Several devices fail to obtain addresses | Check the network’s DHCP service and the connection path to it. |
| The problem occurs only through an extender | Compare a direct connection to the main router to isolate the extender path. |
These are diagnostic branches, not certain diagnoses. Record what changed and test the same ordinary website after each step.
Recover an automatic address carefully
Reconnect to the correct Wi-Fi network or reseat the Ethernet cable. On Windows 11, the Network and Internet troubleshooter in Get Help is a useful next check. If this is your own DHCP-configured computer, Microsoft’s guide also describes renewing the lease with ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew in an administrator Command Prompt. This temporarily interrupts the connection; avoid doing it during remote support or unsaved network work.
Verify the result
Reopen the active connection details. Look for an address and gateway appropriate to your actual network, then test local router access and internet access separately. Do not invent a static address simply to make the 169.254 value disappear: that can hide the cause or create an address conflict. If the address still fails to renew, pass the comparison results to the person managing DHCP.
Sources and review notes
Documentation checked 7 October 2026. This independently written guide combines cited documentation with practical diagnostic checklists. It is not a report of hands-on product testing. Model, firmware and app interfaces can change.