An Automatic Private IP Address (APIPA) is a Windows computer’s automatic IPv4 fallback when it is configured for DHCP but cannot obtain an address from a DHCP server. It uses the 169.254.0.0/16 range and supports communication on the same local network link—not normal access through a router to other networks or the internet.
What APIPA means
APIPA stands for Automatic Private IP Addressing. Microsoft uses the term for a Windows feature that can assign an IPv4 address to a DHCP-configured computer when a DHCP server is unavailable or does not respond. The standard networking term for this kind of address is IPv4 link-local addressing.
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The address falls within 169.254.0.0–169.254.255.255, the range Microsoft identifies for APIPA. The IETF standard specifies the prefix as 169.254/16. Microsoft’s APIPA overview and RFC 3927 describe the range and its intended use.
What a 169.254.x.x address can—and cannot—do
A link-local address can support communication with suitably configured devices on the same physical or logical network link. It is not a substitute for a normal DHCP-assigned address when the computer needs to communicate across subnets or reach the internet. Routers must not forward packets with a link-local address as the source or destination, so that traffic stays on its local link. RFC 3927 defines this scope.
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APIPA and DHCP addresses compared
| Address type | Who provides it | Intended scope | Router forwarding |
|---|---|---|---|
APIPA / IPv4 link-local (169.254/16) |
The computer assigns itself an address when DHCP does not provide a valid IPv4 address. | Communication on the same physical or logical link. | Routers must not forward packets using a link-local source or destination address. |
| DHCP-assigned IPv4 address | A DHCP service supplies a lease through the client-server exchange. | The configured network; the lease may include settings used for ordinary network access. | Depends on the assigned network configuration. |
Microsoft describes the DHCP exchange as Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledgement. A client that does not receive a valid IPv4 address may use APIPA instead. Microsoft’s DHCP troubleshooting guide explains the exchange and this possible fallback.
Why a computer may have an APIPA address
A 169.254.x.x address is evidence that a DHCP-configured Windows computer did not obtain a valid IPv4 address. It is a clue to investigate DHCP acquisition and network connectivity, not a diagnosis of a specific failure. The address alone does not tell you whether the issue is on the computer, DHCP server, relay, or network path.
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To inspect Windows IP configuration, Microsoft’s APIPA guidance points to ipconfig /all. Check whether autoconfiguration is active and whether the adapter has a 169.254.x.x address. Microsoft’s guidance covers identifying APIPA on Windows.
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IPv4 link-local implementations are expected to detect address conflicts and select another address when a conflict is detected. RFC 3927 advises against assigning addresses in this range manually or through DHCP: doing so can bypass the special automatic configuration and duplicate-address detection behavior intended for link-local use. RFC 3927 specifies these rules.
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