What is an IP address?
IP Address stands for Internet Protocol Address. An IP address allows for one computer to communicate with another through the internet. Every device that connects to the internet has an IP address.
How can I find my IP Address?
There are typically two IP addresses assigned to your device, a public IP address and a private IP address. These two IP addresses are used to uniquely identify a device on the internet. The private IP address is used within your local network and the public IP address is used outside the local network. In most circumstances, private and public IP addresses are automatically assigned, so you do not have to worry about managing them. To Find Your Local IP Address (for your home network)
- Windows:
- 1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Win + R
- 2. Type cmd and press enter
- 3. Type ipconfig and hit enter
- 4. Look for the line that says IPvA or IP Address. This is your local IP address
- MacOS:
- 1. Open System Preferences > Network
- 2. Choose your active connect (WiFi or Ethernet) on the left
- 3. Your local IP address will be shown under Status
- To Find Your Public IP Address (the one the internet sees)
- Visit a website like WhatIsMyIP.com or simply search Google for “What is my IP”
Why does my IP address show the wrong location?
This could be for a few reasons.
- Have you been to a website or used an app that can detect what city and state you are in? This is called geolocation and it’s powered by third-party databases.
- Not all geolocation services are the same. These services use different algorithms that look at factors like:
- Public IP address
- Geolocation databases (provided by third parties)
- Cell tower IDs
- GPS information
- A list of Wi-Fi access points
- Signal strength
- MAC IDs (Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth)
The location information is usually a close approximation but isn’t 100% accurate all the time.
What can I do if my location is not displaying correctly?
1) If your location is not displaying correctly, the quickest way to correct the issue is to change your location settings with the content provider (the website or app). Below are a few links to streaming apps on how to update your home location for each content provider.
- How to update your home location on Hulu
- How to update your home location on YouTube TV
2) Check Whois, the main entity for IP ownership and registration, to confirm your IP location is correctly registered by Sparklight.
- The city and state that displays will be the location or region that our service originates (or our main office location), not necessarily the city in which you live.
- If the location region is incorrect, please submit a support ticket.
