Knowing the IP address of the default gateway (usually a router) on a home or business network is important information for successfully troubleshooting a network problem or accessing the router's web-based management. In most cases, the IP address of the default gateway is the private IP address assigned to the router. This is the address that the router uses to communicate with a local home network.

The default gateway IP address is stored in Windows network settings. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to find it.

Open the Control Panel, which you can access from the Start menu in most versions of Windows.

Select Network and Internet. In Windows XP, select Network and Internet Connections.