Wi-Fi Error: Obtaining IP Address Stuck (Android) — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

When Android gets stuck on 'Obtaining IP address', it means your phone connected to the Wi-Fi network but is waiting for the router to assign it an IP address. If it waits too long and never gets one, the connection fails. This is almost always a DHCP problem on the router or a conflict with another device on the network.

Affected Models

Android 10
Android 11
Android 12
Android 13
Android 14
Samsung Galaxy
Google Pixel
OnePlus

Common Causes

The router's DHCP server is not responding or has crashed
The router has run out of available IP addresses to assign
Another device on the network has the same IP address Android is trying to use
The router has MAC address filtering and is blocking the Android device
The Android device's network settings are corrupted and it is sending malformed DHCP requests

How to Fix It

Restart your router. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Wait for it to fully restart, then try connecting your Android phone again.

A crashed or stuck DHCP server on the router is the most common cause — restarting fixes it immediately.
Forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnect. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, long-press the network name, tap Forget, then reconnect and enter the password.

This clears any corrupt saved connection data that might be causing malformed DHCP requests.
Try assigning a static IP address temporarily to bypass DHCP. In Android Wi-Fi settings, tap the network name > Modify network > Advanced options > IP settings: change from DHCP to Static. Enter an IP like 192.168.1.200, and use 192.168.1.1 for the gateway and DNS.

If this works, the router's DHCP server is the problem. Switch back to DHCP after fixing the router.
Check if the router has MAC address filtering enabled. Log into the router admin page and look for Access Control or MAC filtering. Make sure your Android phone's MAC address is allowed.

Your phone's MAC address is in Settings > About phone > Status > Wi-Fi MAC address.
Reset network settings on your Android phone. Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. This often clears corrupted DHCP request behavior.

You will need to reconnect to all Wi-Fi networks after the reset.

When to Call a Professional

Getting stuck on 'Obtaining IP address' is almost always fixable at home. If the fix requires accessing the router admin page and you do not know the login, contact your ISP — they can help you access it or remotely fix DHCP issues. An ISP support call is usually free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should 'Obtaining IP address' take before it is considered stuck?

Normally it takes 3 to 10 seconds. If it is still showing after 30 seconds, it is stuck. The phone will eventually show an error or fail silently and disconnect. Do not wait more than a minute — if it is not working by then, restart the router.

Does using a static IP instead of DHCP cause any problems?

Using a static IP is fine for your home network. The risk is accidentally choosing an address that conflicts with another device. To be safe, choose a high number like 192.168.1.200 — most routers assign DHCP addresses below .100, so .200 is unlikely to conflict.

My router has plenty of capacity. Why would it run out of IP addresses?

Routers have a DHCP range set in their settings — for example, 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.50. If 50 devices are connected or were recently connected, the range is exhausted. Old phones, smart home gadgets, and guest devices all count. Expand the DHCP range in your router's admin page to fix this.