DHCP scope - BAD Address issue

Question

Hello

Please i need your help on this issue.

BAD_Address is causing DHCP scope to be filled up and there are no available IP's in Scope.

The users is experiencing difficulties connecting machines to the network.

Answer 1

Hi IBN,

Usually that message on an IP address in a scope means that the DHCP server detected that the IP address was in use when it went to lease the IP to a client.

Have a look at the logs to see what is going on.

confirm if the IP addresses marked as bad address are in use on the network.

Ping the ip addresses from the DHCP server - that is what DHCP is doing - and see if you are getting replies and if so, then, find out where those replies are coming from.

You may have a configuration conflict, unauthorised DHCP on the network, misonfigured switch, incorrect scope configuration, or something else.

Here are some links which may or may not help

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/event-4199-windows-client-cannot-get-ip-address-dhcp-server

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/troubleshoot-dhcp-guidance

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/dhcpserver/set-dhcpserversetting?view=windowsserver2025-ps