Note: This process may be different depending on your router. I'm using the one Verizon gave me a few years ago, their Quantum Gateway (model G1100), because I'm too lazy and cheap to bother changing it out. It's just me and my cats in this house anyway, so what use do I have for a $200+ router with custom firmware and all that?
First, log into your router by going to 192.168.1.1 and then proceed through the redirect it foists upon you for alleged security reasons. On the top left of the resulting dashboard, you'll see some status stuff. Take note of your current IP address so you can confirm its changing later. Then navigate as follows:
- Top: My Network
- Side: Network Connections
- Center: Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax)
- Bottom: Settings
You can also try clicking this link, but I'm not sure if it'll work or take you to the right place. What we're looking for is the connection that handles the DHCP stuff, and only one of them will (or should). I think; I ain't no networking guy. We're looking for this:
I have two top-level items in the list in the third step above, and only the "Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax)" one has DHCP stuff ⸺ presumably because it's what's connected back to the ONT box.
Click the release button, wait a little bit, and it'll refresh the page and disappear. Wait as long as you feel like waiting, maybe 5-10 seconds, and click the renew button. It'll refresh the page again and both buttons will be back. Go back to the main dashboard page and see if your listed IP address has changed. If so, you're done. Congrats!
If not, you've got some fussing about to do. Set a timer on your phone for the shown "expires in" time minus a minute or two. The default expiration time is two hours, so you may be in for a wait.
You'll need a laptop for this next part. When your phone's timer goes off, take your laptop up to the router, log into it again, and get back to this page. Click the release button, and once you've confirmed that it's done that, unplug the router from its power source as quickly as possible. If you don't have a laptop, you'll want someone to assist you: yell for them to unplug the router!
Leave it unplugged for awhile. Given the release/renew cycle is two hours, leave it unplugged for at least that long plus a few minutes to be sure. Don't think you can handle going that long without internet? Do it right before you go to bed!
When you plug your router in again, you should hopefully have a new IP address. Log into it again and check the status section of its main page. Did it change? Congrats! Did it stay the same? Well, shit. Not much you or I can do about it, then, but feel free to try again later. Maybe leave the router unplugged all day and see how that goes. You may need to kill power to the ONT itself before Verizon will get the message. 🤷♀️