heresmyip.com

Why is my IP address showing a different location?

You checked your IP and the location is wrong — it shows a city you have never been to, or even a different region entirely. This is more common than you might think, and it is usually not a problem with your connection.

How IP geolocation works

IP geolocation does not use GPS or any signal from your device. Instead, it relies on databases (like MaxMind GeoLite2, which heresmyip.com uses) that map IP address ranges to geographic locations. These databases are built from:

  • -ISP registration data (where the company is headquartered or registered the IP block)
  • -Regional Internet Registry (RIR) allocation records
  • -Crowdsourced data and network measurements
  • -ISP-provided data (when they choose to share it)

The result is an educated guess, not an exact measurement. At the country level, accuracy is around 99%. At the city level, it drops to 50-80% depending on the region.

Common reasons your location is wrong

1. Your ISP routes traffic through a different city

This is the most common cause. Your ISP may assign you an IP address from a pool registered in their headquarters or a regional hub, not your actual city. For example, you might be in Valencia but your ISP routes all traffic through a node in Madrid — so every lookup tool will show Madrid.

2. You are using a VPN or proxy

If you are connected to a VPN, the location shown will be the VPN server's location, not yours. This is by design — it is exactly what a VPN is supposed to do. Disconnect your VPN and check again to see your real location.

3. You are on a mobile network

Mobile carriers (4G/5G) frequently route traffic through centralized gateways. Your phone might be in Barcelona while your mobile carrier exits to the internet from a node in another city. Mobile IP geolocation is consistently less accurate than fixed-line broadband.

4. The geolocation database is outdated

ISPs regularly reassign IP address blocks between regions. When they move a block from one city to another, it can take weeks or months for geolocation databases to update. During this gap, your location will appear wrong.

5. Your ISP uses CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT)

Many ISPs share a single public IP among hundreds of customers using CGNAT. The geolocation for that shared IP might be registered to a data center or exchange point far from your actual location.

Can I fix it?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly change what geolocation databases report for your IP. However, there are a few things you can try:

  • -Restart your router — Your ISP may assign you a different IP from a pool that geolocates more accurately.
  • -Contact your ISP — Ask them to update the geolocation data for your IP range with the major databases (MaxMind, IP2Location, DB-IP).
  • -Submit a correction to MaxMind — You can report an incorrect location at maxmind.com/en/geoip-location-correction. It typically takes 2-4 weeks for corrections to propagate.
  • -Use a VPN — If you need a specific location to appear (for geo-restricted content, for example), a VPN lets you choose the server location.

Does a wrong location matter?

For most people, no. IP geolocation inaccuracy mainly affects content localization (seeing ads or content for the wrong city) and geo-restricted streaming services. It does not affect your internet speed, security, or the functionality of any service. Websites that need your real location (like maps or delivery apps) use your device's GPS, not your IP address.