A method and an apparatus for handling an address conflict. The method for handling an address conflict includes: acquiring a media access control (MAC) address of an associated first node and a first auxiliary identifier; receiving a MAC frame that carries the first auxiliary identifier; and sending an auxiliary identifier conflict report message to the first node when it is determined that the MAC frame is sent by a second node. According to the method and the apparatus for handling an address conflict in the embodiments of the present invention, the following problem can be detected and resolved. An AP auxiliary identifier conflict is caused by a MAC header compression method where an auxiliary identifier is used to replace a MAC address.