What Is IPv6?
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the next-generation addressing protocol of the internet. While 32-bit IPv4 offers about 4.3 billion addresses, 128-bit IPv6 provides a practically unlimited number (about 3.4 × 1038). IPv6 addresses are written as groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons, such as 2001:db8:3::1; consecutive groups of zeros can be shortened to ::.
Why Does IPv6 Matter?
- It solves the address shortage: because IPv4 addresses have run out, carriers have to share one IP among many customers (CGNAT). With IPv6, every device can have its own public address.
- Direct connections: without NAT, port forwarding problems largely disappear for gaming, video calls, remote access and camera systems.
- Future-proof: major websites and mobile carriers already rely heavily on IPv6, and a large share of Google's traffic arrives over IPv6.
How to Enable IPv6
- Check whether your internet provider offers IPv6 on your plan.
- Open your router's admin page (usually
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1) and enable IPv6 or “IPv4 + IPv6 (Dual Stack)” in the WAN or Internet settings. - Make sure IPv6 isn't disabled on your computer. On Windows, Network adapter → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) must be checked.
- Restart the router and run this test again.
What Do the Results Mean?
- IPv4 + IPv6 (dual stack): the ideal setup; you connect over whichever protocol a site supports.
- IPv4 only: your provider or router doesn't give you IPv6. Almost everything still works, but behind CGNAT you may not be able to forward ports.
- IPv6 only: rare, found on some mobile networks. You reach IPv4 sites through your carrier's NAT64 gateway.
To see all your IP details, go back to the What is my IP address page.