What DNS does and why you might change it
DNS is the system that translates web addresses (like google.com) into the numbers your computer actually uses to find websites. When you type an address into your browser, your computer asks a DNS server "where is this website?" and gets back the answer.
By default, Windows 10 uses the DNS server your internet provider assigns to you. You might change this to a different DNS provider — like Cloudflare, Google, or Quad9 — if you want faster lookups, better privacy, or filtering that blocks malicious sites. Some people also change DNS when their internet provider's server is slow or unreliable.
Changing DNS does not require a technician or special software. It takes about five minutes and you can reverse it just as quickly if something goes wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 stores DNS settings in the network adapter properties, which you reach through Settings rather than the old Control Panel.
- You need two DNS addresses (called primary and secondary) to set up, and these come from the provider you choose — Cloudflare, Google, Quad9, or others.
- After you change DNS, your computer uses the new server when ready, but cached results may take a few minutes to clear.
- If websites stop loading after you change DNS, you can revert to automatic settings in the same menu within seconds.
Find your network adapter in Windows Settings
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. In the Settings window, click Network & Internet on the left side.
On the Network & Internet page, look for your connection type on the left menu. If you use an ethernet cable, click Ethernet. If you use WiFi, click WiFi. Then click the name of your actual network connection — for WiFi this might say "Connected" next to it, and for ethernet it will show your connection name.
A details panel will open on the right. Scroll down until you see DNS server assignment with a button that says Edit next to it. Click that Edit button.
Switch from automatic to manual DNS
A small window titled "Edit DNS settings" will open. At the top, you will see a dropdown menu that currently says Automatic (DHCP). Click that dropdown and select Manual.
When you select Manual, two text fields will appear below it labeled Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS. These are where you enter the addresses from your chosen DNS provider. Leave the toggle for IPv4 turned on unless you have a specific reason to change it.
Enter the DNS addresses from your provider
Before you proceed, you need the DNS addresses from the provider you want to use. Here are the addresses for three common options:
| Provider | Preferred DNS | Alternate DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
Click in the Preferred DNS field and type the first address. Then click in the Alternate DNS field and type the second address. Type carefully — even one wrong number will cause lookups to fail. If you are not sure about the addresses, visit the provider's website on another device or browser tab to copy them directly.
Save your changes and test the connection
Once you have entered both addresses, click the Save button at the bottom of the Edit DNS settings window. Windows will explore the change when ready.
To test that DNS is working, open your browser and visit a website you use often. The page should load normally. If it does not load, or if you see an error message, go back to the DNS settings, click Edit again, and select Automatic (DHCP) to revert to your provider's default DNS. Then try the website again.
If the website loads fine, your DNS change is working. You do not need to restart your computer — the change takes effect right away.
What to do if websites stop working after you change DNS
If you change DNS and then find that websites will not load, the problem is almost always a typo in one of the addresses you entered. The fastest fix is to go back to Settings, click Network & Internet, select your connection, click Edit next to DNS server assignment, and change it back to Automatic (DHCP).
Once you revert to automatic DNS, websites should load again within a few seconds. Then you can try entering the addresses again, checking each one character by character against the provider's website. Some people find it easier to copy and paste the addresses from the provider's site rather than typing them by hand.
If you change DNS and websites load fine for a while but then stop working later, the issue may be with the DNS provider itself rather than your settings. In that case, try a different provider's addresses, or revert to automatic DNS and contact your internet provider to ask if their DNS server is having problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing DNS make my internet faster?
It may, depending on your internet provider and location. Some DNS providers have faster servers than others, and you might notice quicker page loads. The only way to know is to try it for a few days and see if you notice a difference. If you do not, you can always switch back to automatic.
Can I use different DNS addresses for different networks?
Yes. The DNS settings are stored per network connection, so you can set one DNS provider for your home WiFi and a different one for a work network. Just go to Settings, select the network you want to change, and edit the DNS for that connection only.
What if I want to go back to my internet provider's DNS?
Go to Settings, Network & Internet, select your connection, click Edit next to DNS server assignment, and change the dropdown from Manual back to Automatic (DHCP). Windows will use your provider's default DNS when ready.
Do I need to change DNS on every device in my house?
No. DNS changes are per device, so if you want the same DNS on your phone, tablet, or laptop, you need to change it on each one separately. You can also change DNS at the router level, which would affect all devices on your network at once, but that is a different process.
Is changing DNS safe?
Yes, as long as you use addresses from a real DNS provider. Stick to well-known services like Cloudflare, Google, or Quad9. If you enter random numbers, your internet will not work, but it will not damage your computer — just revert to automatic DNS and you are back to normal.