I have been trying to assign a static IP address to my Raspberry Pi Zero W 2 for days. I have followed numerous tutorials and tried the nmcli route and the Raspberry Connect GUI route.
When I initially flash the SD card and boot up the Pi, everything works fine. I can get into settings, download stuff, etc. Everything works.
BUT Every time I enter the new IP address in the IPv4 field with the correct gateway and DNS servers (either through Connect or nmcli in terminal), execute the command, and reboot the Pi, the Pi becomes unreachable. Meaning that when I try to ping it from my computer, the terminal returns the message "Destination unreachable" and I can't ssh into it either (I use puTTY). I've also checked on Raspberry Connect and it no longer sees my Pi as Active once this happens. This is despite the Pi being on the same wifi as my computer and plugged into my computer.
I then have to completely wipe the SD card and reflash it with imager before I can try again. (For reference I am imaging 2.6)
I've now tried to change the address 11 times, and I've assigned a static address through my router (Cox) that is tied to the MAC for my Pi, but when I pull the newly imaged Pi up each time, it does not show the static IP; it shows a temporary IP my server just assigned it. I already tried reserving its current IP address through my router config but Cox hates me.
I'm at my wits' end and don't know what else to try.
My goal is to download the Pi-Hole software and use my Pi as a DNS sinkhole, so I need the static IP, but none of the forum posts address this problem; they keep recommending the steps that I've tried already. I've triple-checked my gateway address (192.168.0.1) and my DNS server addresses (primary and secondary) to ensure those are correct and the reserved IP in my router settings.
As it is, Cox won't allow users to input new DNS servers or reconfigure the DHCP server so I'll have to connect all of my devices manually (or maybe do something with port forwarding?), but I know it's critical to have a static IP address for any of that to work.
For additional information: I'm using a 16gb micro SD card, Raspberry Pi OS 32-bit (not the legacy one), I have a Windows 11.
I really don't know how to fix this. I just bought my Raspberry Pi a week ago for this sole purpose. If someone could help me that would be great. Happy to share any additional information needed; hopefully this makes sense.
When I initially flash the SD card and boot up the Pi, everything works fine. I can get into settings, download stuff, etc. Everything works.
BUT Every time I enter the new IP address in the IPv4 field with the correct gateway and DNS servers (either through Connect or nmcli in terminal), execute the command, and reboot the Pi, the Pi becomes unreachable. Meaning that when I try to ping it from my computer, the terminal returns the message "Destination unreachable" and I can't ssh into it either (I use puTTY). I've also checked on Raspberry Connect and it no longer sees my Pi as Active once this happens. This is despite the Pi being on the same wifi as my computer and plugged into my computer.
I then have to completely wipe the SD card and reflash it with imager before I can try again. (For reference I am imaging 2.6)
I've now tried to change the address 11 times, and I've assigned a static address through my router (Cox) that is tied to the MAC for my Pi, but when I pull the newly imaged Pi up each time, it does not show the static IP; it shows a temporary IP my server just assigned it. I already tried reserving its current IP address through my router config but Cox hates me.
I'm at my wits' end and don't know what else to try.
My goal is to download the Pi-Hole software and use my Pi as a DNS sinkhole, so I need the static IP, but none of the forum posts address this problem; they keep recommending the steps that I've tried already. I've triple-checked my gateway address (192.168.0.1) and my DNS server addresses (primary and secondary) to ensure those are correct and the reserved IP in my router settings.
As it is, Cox won't allow users to input new DNS servers or reconfigure the DHCP server so I'll have to connect all of my devices manually (or maybe do something with port forwarding?), but I know it's critical to have a static IP address for any of that to work.
For additional information: I'm using a 16gb micro SD card, Raspberry Pi OS 32-bit (not the legacy one), I have a Windows 11.
I really don't know how to fix this. I just bought my Raspberry Pi a week ago for this sole purpose. If someone could help me that would be great. Happy to share any additional information needed; hopefully this makes sense.
Statistics: Posted by SnorlaxLover — Thu Feb 19, 2026 9:27 pm — Replies 7 — Views 81