Mastering DNS: A Comprehensive Guide to Changing Your Domain Name System Settings

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet’s phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to locate each other. When you type a website address into your browser, a DNS server is consulted to find the corresponding IP address, allowing your browser to connect to the correct server and load the page. While your internet service provider (ISP) usually assigns DNS servers by default, there are many reasons why you might want to change them. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to change your DNS settings on various devices and operating systems, explaining the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’.

Why Change Your DNS Settings?

Before diving into the technical details, let’s discuss why changing your DNS settings is beneficial:

• Speed and Performance: Some DNS servers are faster and more reliable than others. By switching to a public DNS server like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS, you might experience faster browsing speeds and reduced latency.
• Security and Privacy: Default ISP-provided DNS servers can be less secure or even collect data about your browsing habits. Switching to privacy-focused DNS servers can enhance your online security and anonymity.
• Accessing Region-Restricted Content: In some cases, a different DNS server can allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that might be blocked in your region.
• Customization and Filtering: Some DNS providers offer additional features, such as content filtering and malware blocking, which can be beneficial for families or organizations.
• Troubleshooting: If you are experiencing issues connecting to websites, changing your DNS servers can sometimes resolve the problem.

Understanding DNS Records

Before we proceed, let’s briefly understand DNS records. A DNS record is a mapping between a domain name and an IP address, allowing devices to locate the servers that hold the website. The most commonly used DNS record types include:

• A Record: Maps a hostname to an IPv4 address.
• AAAA Record: Maps a hostname to an IPv6 address.
• CNAME Record: Creates an alias, forwarding one domain name to another.
• MX Record: Specifies mail servers responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of a domain.
• TXT Record: Allows associating arbitrary text with a domain name. Used for domain verification and other purposes.

When changing DNS settings, you’re primarily concerned with specifying the IP addresses of the DNS servers you want to use. These addresses will typically be primary and secondary (or alternative) servers for redundancy.

Public DNS Server Options

Here are some popular public DNS servers you can use:

• Google Public DNS:
  • Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS:
  • Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
  • Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1
• Cloudflare DNS (Privacy Focused):
  • Primary DNS: 1.1.1.2 (Malware Blocking)
  • Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.2 (Malware Blocking)
  • Primary DNS: 1.1.1.3 (Malware and Adult Content Blocking)
  • Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.3 (Malware and Adult Content Blocking)
• OpenDNS:
  • Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
  • Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
• Quad9:
  • Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
  • Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112

Select the DNS servers that best fit your needs. Google Public DNS is known for its speed and reliability, while Cloudflare DNS emphasizes privacy and speed. OpenDNS offers various filtering options, and Quad9 focuses on security and privacy.

How to Change DNS Settings: Detailed Instructions

The following sections will detail how to change DNS settings on various devices and operating systems. Note that specific menu options and layouts might vary slightly depending on your operating system version and device.

1. Changing DNS Settings on Windows

Step 1: Access Network and Sharing Center

You can access the Network and Sharing Center in a few ways:

* Right-click the network icon in your system tray (usually in the bottom-right corner) and select “Open Network and Sharing Center.”
* Press the Windows key, type “Network and Sharing Center”, and press Enter.
* Go to “Control Panel”, then “Network and Internet”, and then click on “Network and Sharing Center”.

Step 2: Change Adapter Settings

In the Network and Sharing Center, click on “Change adapter settings” on the left-hand side panel. This will open the Network Connections window.

Step 3: Select Your Active Connection

* Right-click on your active network adapter. This is typically labeled “Ethernet” for wired connections or “Wi-Fi” for wireless connections. Select “Properties”.

Step 4: Access Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties

* In the properties window, scroll down and select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on the “Properties” button. Do not uncheck the box. Make sure that the Internet Protocol Version 4 option is selected, but that its checkbox is still checked.

Step 5: Change DNS Server Addresses

* In the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, select “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
* Enter your preferred Primary DNS server address in the “Preferred DNS server” field.
* Enter your Secondary DNS server address in the “Alternate DNS server” field.
* Click “OK” to save your changes.
* Click “Close” to close the network adapter properties window.
* You can also apply the same settings for IPv6, using the IPv6 version of the public DNS that you have chosen, if required for your local network.

Step 6: Clear DNS Cache (Optional)

To make the changes take effect immediately, you can flush your DNS cache. To do so, open the Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for “cmd” or “command prompt” in the start menu, right clicking the entry, and selecting “Run as administrator”. Then, type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

You should receive a confirmation that the DNS Resolver Cache has been flushed. Your computer should now be using the new DNS server settings.

2. Changing DNS Settings on macOS

Step 1: Access System Preferences

* Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
* Select “System Preferences…”

Step 2: Access Network Settings

* In System Preferences, click on “Network”.

Step 3: Select Your Active Connection

* Select your active network connection from the list on the left (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet). If your ethernet is currently connected, select this. Otherwise select “Wi-Fi”.

Step 4: Open Advanced Settings

* Click on the “Advanced…” button in the bottom-right corner.

Step 5: Access the DNS Tab

* Click on the “DNS” tab in the Advanced settings window.

Step 6: Add New DNS Server Addresses

* Click on the “+” button at the bottom of the left-hand column to add a new DNS server.
* Enter the primary DNS server address. Click the “+” button again to add a secondary DNS server.
* You can repeat this process if you want to add additional DNS servers.
* To remove an existing address, select the address and click the “-“ button.
* Click “OK” to save your changes.

Step 7: Apply Changes

* Click “Apply” in the main Network settings window.

Your Mac should now be using your selected DNS server. You can verify the settings by going back to the same screen and inspecting the DNS list.

3. Changing DNS Settings on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Step 1: Access Settings

* Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2: Access Wi-Fi Settings

* Tap on “Wi-Fi”.

Step 3: Select Your Wi-Fi Network

* Tap on the “i” icon (information) next to your currently connected Wi-Fi network.

Step 4: Configure DNS

* Scroll down and tap on “Configure DNS”.

Step 5: Select Manual Configuration

* Select “Manual”.

Step 6: Add New DNS Server Addresses

* Tap on “Add Server”.
* Enter the primary DNS server address. Tap the “Add Server” button again, and enter the secondary DNS address.
* To remove an existing address, tap the “-“ button next to that entry.

Step 7: Save Changes

* Tap “Save” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Your iOS device will now be using your specified DNS server whenever it’s connected to your selected Wi-Fi network.

4. Changing DNS Settings on Android

The process for changing DNS settings on Android devices can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and Android version, but here’s a general guideline:

Step 1: Access Settings

* Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.

Step 2: Access Network & Internet Settings

* Tap on “Network & Internet”, “Connections”, or a similarly labeled option.

Step 3: Access Wi-Fi Settings

* Tap on “Wi-Fi”.

Step 4: Select Your Wi-Fi Network

* Tap on the name of the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to, or long-press the name of the network and select “Modify network” or a similar option.

Step 5: Open Advanced Options

* Look for and tap on “Advanced options”, “Advanced”, or a similarly labelled option.

Step 6: Change IP Settings

* If you see a “DHCP” setting, tap on that and choose “Static”.

Step 7: Configure DNS Settings

* You may have to scroll further down to see the DNS settings, labeled something similar to “DNS 1” and “DNS 2”.
* Input the primary DNS into DNS 1, and the secondary DNS into DNS 2.

Step 8: Save Changes

* Tap the save or apply button, which may have a checkmark on it, or a label similar to “Save” or “Apply”.

Your Android device should now use the new DNS settings.

5. Changing DNS Settings on Your Router

Changing your DNS settings on your router will apply the new settings to all devices connected to your network. This is often a convenient way to change DNS settings for multiple devices simultaneously. The process varies depending on your router’s manufacturer and model, but here are general steps:

Step 1: Access Your Router’s Settings Page

* Open a web browser on a device connected to your network. In the address bar, type in your router’s IP address (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but it might vary). If you’re unsure, consult your router’s manual or search online for your router model’s IP address.

Step 2: Log In to Your Router

* You will be prompted to enter your router’s username and password. If you’ve never changed these, there might be default credentials. You can typically find these on the router itself or in the manual.

Step 3: Locate the DNS Settings

* Once logged in, look for a section labeled “DNS,” “WAN Settings,” “Internet,” or “Network Settings.”
* The exact placement varies, but it’s often found under an advanced settings or a network tab.

Step 4: Change DNS Server Addresses

* You should see fields for “Primary DNS Server” and “Secondary DNS Server.” Enter your desired DNS server addresses.
* Sometimes these are named “DNS 1” and “DNS 2”, or a similar variation.
* Make sure to not make any other changes you may be unfamiliar with.

Step 5: Save and Apply Settings

* After entering the new DNS settings, click “Apply,” “Save,” or a similar button.
* Your router may reboot or temporarily lose its connection during the process, which is normal.

All devices connected to your network will start using the new DNS settings after the router restarts.

Verifying Your DNS Changes

After changing your DNS settings, you should verify that they were successfully applied. Here are a couple of methods to check:

• Using DNS Lookup Tools: Online tools such as DNSLeakTest.com or WhatIsMyDNS.net can show you which DNS servers are currently being used by your internet connection.
• Using the Command Line (Windows/macOS): Use command line tools such as “nslookup” or “dig” to perform a DNS lookup. The output of these tools should contain the IP address of the DNS servers that you have configured.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues and their potential solutions:

• No Internet Connection: If you lose internet connectivity after changing your DNS settings, double-check that you have entered the DNS server addresses correctly. Try switching back to your default DNS settings to see if the problem is resolved. Then try one of the public DNS options from this guide again to rule out any typos.
• Slow Internet Speeds: If your internet speeds are slower than before, try using a different public DNS server or reverting back to your ISP’s default settings.
• Inconsistent Website Access: If certain websites are inaccessible or are not displaying properly, try flushing your DNS cache. If problems persist, check for DNS server problems or issues from your provider.
• Incorrect IPv6: You can try using an IPv6 public DNS in addition to IPv4 for further network stability, but it is not always necessary. Note that some DNS providers do not have an IPv6 option. If you have entered the wrong IPv6 address, you may lose connectivity, and be unable to remove it. In this case you can disable IPv6 in the settings for your network connection, and still use IPv4.

Conclusion

Changing DNS settings can be an effective way to improve your browsing experience, enhance your privacy and security, and bypass geo-restrictions. This comprehensive guide has provided you with detailed steps to change DNS settings on various devices and operating systems, as well as explained why it is important to understand your DNS settings. Whether you are a tech novice or a seasoned expert, having a good understanding of DNS will help you navigate the internet more efficiently. As the internet evolves, and your networking needs change, you may find that having the knowledge of how to change these settings can save you time and money. Always make sure that you keep your router’s firmware up to date for the latest security updates and features, and understand the potential risks of using public DNS servers which are not properly vetted. With the knowledge you have gained here, you can make an informed choice about your DNS settings and how you access the world wide web.