Cannot Find MAC or Ethernet Address

Overview

This article was made to assist with finding your computers MAC address. In certain situations or requests, a MAC address may be required when including information for your machine. 

Environment

Windows, MacOS

Troubleshooting/Resolution

To find your MAC address on:

Windows:

  1. Click Search Windows icon on the task bar.
  2. Type Cmd to pull up the black screen C:..... command prompt
  3. Type ipconfig /all (note the space between the g and /)
  4. The MAC address is listed as series of 12 digits called the Physical Address  (Ex. 64-00-6A-52-6C-C1) found under the Ethernet adapter Ethernet: section
  5. Type Exit to leave the command prompt screen

MacOS (13 or Higher)

  1. Select System Settings from the Apple menu at the top left of the screen
  2. Select Network
  3. For Wireless:
    1. Select Wi-Fi
    2. Select Details
    3. Select Hardware
    4. Use the MAC Address listed (Ex. c8:2a:14:56:3a:b6)
  4. For Wired:
    1. Select Ethernet
    2. Select Details
    3. Select Hardware
    4. Use the MAC Address listed (Ex. c8:2a:14:56:3a:b6)
Additional Information or Notes

A MAC (Media Access Control) address, also known as networking hardware or physical address, is a unique ID assigned to every internet-connected device that allows it to be identified when connected to a specific network.

When trying to determine your MAC address, make sure that you are connected with the interface that you need the MAC address for (Wi-Fi if you need your wireless card’s MAC address, or Ethernet if you need your wired card’s MAC address).

Please note, some newer devices have software that will hide the devices MAC address, and use a randomized address when connecting to a network. This is most common in newer Android and iOS devices. This is a way the manufacturer of these products are assisting with security and anonymity. However, this address can change randomly. When providing a MAC address for a networking request, please be sure that the address is the permanent MAC address of the device. 

For additional questions you can contact the JMU IT Help Desk at helpdesk@jmu.edu or 540-568-3555.

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