# Networking: dhcpd: DHCPDISCOVER from aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff via eth0: network 192.168.1.0/24: no free leases

**Code:** `DHCPDISCOVER: no free leases` · **Category:** Networking · **Seen on:** Linux, Networking

The DHCP server has no unused addresses left in the scope.

## Meaning

Increase the pool or shorten the lease time (guests and phones fill small pools), remove stale reservations, find devices flooding with random MACs, and check for a DHCP-starvation attack. Reduce lease time from days to hours on guest networks.

## Common causes

- Pool too small for the number of devices
- Very long lease times on a busy network
- Many stale leases or random-MAC devices
- DHCP starvation attack
- Static devices inside the dynamic range

## Quick fix

1. Enlarge the range or use a bigger subnet
2. Shorten lease times
3. Clear stale leases and enable DHCP snooping/limits

## Detailed fix by platform

### Linux

1. 

```bash
sudo journalctl -u isc-dhcp-server | grep "no free leases"
sudo dhcp-lease-list | wc -l
```


## How to diagnose

1. **Free leases** — None?
2. **Lease time** — Too long?
3. **Clients** — Unexpected spike?

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Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/networking/dhcp-no-free-leases-pool-exhausted)