What changing your DNS server does, and when it matters

Your DNS server is the service that translates web addresses like google.com into the numerical addresses computers actually use. When you type a URL, your device asks a DNS server "where is this website?" and the server sends back an answer. By default, your internet provider controls this translation — but you can point your device to a different DNS server instead.

Changing DNS servers is useful for three practical reasons: some public DNS services are faster than your provider's, some block malicious websites automatically, and some let you control what websites your household can reach. It does not hide your browsing from your internet provider — they still see which websites you visit. It does not encrypt your traffic. It is a single piece of a larger security picture, not a complete solution on its own.

The change itself is straightforward and takes about five minutes. You can change it on a single device (your laptop, phone, or tablet), on your entire home network (so every device connected to your Wi-Fi uses the new server), or on your router itself (which affects every device that connects to it). Most people change it at the router level so they do not have to configure each device separately.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change DNS at three levels: on a single device, on your Wi-Fi network, or on your router — router-level changes affect every device that connects to your network.
  • Common public DNS services include Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9), each with different features like malware blocking or privacy focus.
  • Changing DNS does not hide your activity from your internet provider or encrypt your traffic — it only changes who translates web addresses.
  • After you change DNS, test that it worked by visiting a DNS checker website or restarting your device to clear the old settings from memory.

Changing DNS on your router (affects all devices on your network)

Changing DNS at the router level is the most efficient approach because every device that connects to your Wi-Fi will use the new server automatically. You do not have to configure your phone, laptop, and tablet separately.

Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you do not know it, look at the sticker on the back of your router or check your router's manual. You will need the admin username and password, which are often printed on the router itself or came in the paperwork when you set it up. If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, though this erases all your custom settings.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called DNS Settings, DHCP Settings, or WAN Settings — the exact name varies by router brand. You will see fields for Primary DNS and Secondary DNS. Write down the current addresses before you change them, in case you need to revert. Delete the existing addresses and enter the new ones. For example, if you choose Cloudflare, you would enter 1.1.1.1 as the primary and 1.0.0.1 as the secondary. Save the changes and restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Changing DNS on a single device (Windows, Mac, or Linux)

If you only want one computer to use a different DNS server — perhaps you want to test a new service before changing it network-wide — you can configure it on that device alone.

On Windows: Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status. Scroll down and click "Change adapter options." Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties. Click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and then Properties. Select "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter your new primary and secondary DNS addresses. Click OK and close the windows. Your change takes effect when ready.

On Mac: Open System Preferences, go to Network, and select your active connection (usually Wi-Fi). Click Advanced, then the DNS tab. Click the plus button to add a new DNS server and type the address. Click OK, then explore. Mac will use the new server right away.

On Linux: The process depends on your distribution and network manager. In most modern systems, open your network settings, select your connection, and look for DNS settings. You may need to toggle off "Automatic" DNS first. Enter your new addresses and save. If you prefer the command line, you can edit /etc/resolv.conf directly, though changes may not persist after a restart depending on your system.

Changing DNS on your phone or tablet

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, go to Wi-Fi, and tap the information icon next to your network name. Scroll down to DNS and tap "Configure DNS." Select "Manual," then tap "Add Server." Type the DNS address and tap Save. You can add multiple servers this way. This setting applies only to that specific Wi-Fi network — if you connect to a different network, it will use that network's DNS unless you configure it there too.

On Android: The process varies by manufacturer and Android version. On most devices, open Settings, go to Wi-Fi, long-press your network name, and select "Modify." Look for Advanced Options or DNS settings. You may need to change the IP settings from DHCP to Static, then enter your DNS addresses manually. Some Android phones do not expose DNS settings in the Wi-Fi menu — if yours does not, you can use a third-party app like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 app or Quad9's app instead, which routes all DNS queries through that service.

Public DNS services and what they offer

Several organizations run free public DNS servers. The most common are Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112). Each has a different focus.

Cloudflare emphasizes privacy — they say they do not log your queries or sell data to advertisers. Google's DNS is very fast because Google has servers in many locations, but Google does log queries tied to your account if you are signed in. Quad9 blocks known malicious websites automatically, which can prevent you from accidentally visiting sites that host malware or phishing attacks. OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) offers family filtering options that let you block adult content or gambling sites across your whole network. None of these services are inherently "best" — the right choice depends on whether you prioritize speed, privacy, malware blocking, or content filtering.

If you want to test a service before committing, change DNS on a single device first and use it for a few days. If it works well and you see no slowdowns or blocked sites you need, change it at the router level.

Testing that your DNS change worked

After you change DNS, your device may continue using the old server for a short time because it caches (stores in memory) the old addresses. Restart your device to clear this cache. On a router, restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

To verify the change took effect, visit a DNS checker website like whatismyipaddress.com/dns-lookup or mxtoolbox.com/dnsLookup.aspx. Type your router's IP address or your device's hostname and the checker will show you which DNS server answered the query. If it shows your new server's address, the change worked. If it still shows your old server, wait a few minutes and try again — sometimes the change takes a moment to propagate.

If you notice websites loading more slowly after the change, or if certain sites stop working, your new DNS server may be slower or blocking content you need. Switch back to your original server or try a different public DNS service. You can change it back the same way you changed it forward.

When DNS changes do not solve the problem

Changing DNS is useful for speed and malware blocking, but it does not address every security concern. If you want to hide your browsing activity from your internet provider, you need a VPN (virtual private network), not a DNS change. If you want to prevent malware from running on your device, you need antivirus software. If you want to stop websites from tracking you across the internet, you need browser privacy settings or extensions. DNS is one tool among many.

If your internet provider has blocked a website and you want to access it, changing DNS might work — but whether that is legal or wise depends on why the site is blocked and where you live. Some blocks are court-ordered, and circumventing them can have legal consequences. Others are just your provider's policy, and changing DNS will bypass them. Know which situation you are in before you try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS make my internet faster?

It might. Some DNS servers respond more quickly than others, especially if your internet provider's server is slow or far from you. Cloudflare and Google's DNS are generally fast because they have servers worldwide. The only way to know if it helps your specific connection is to try it and measure load times before and after. If you see no improvement after a few days, switch back.

Can I use multiple DNS servers at once?

Yes. You set a primary DNS server and a secondary one. Your device queries the primary first, and if it does not respond, it tries the secondary. You can mix and match — for example, use Cloudflare as primary for speed and Quad9 as secondary for malware blocking. Some devices let you add more than two, though two is usually enough.

What happens if I enter a DNS address wrong?

Your device will not be able to reach that server, so it will either try the secondary server or fall back to your internet provider's default. Websites will not load until you fix the address or revert to the original. If you are locked out, restart your device or router to clear the settings and try again.

Do I need to change DNS if I use a VPN?

No, but you can. A VPN encrypts all your traffic and routes it through the VPN provider's server, so your internet provider cannot see which websites you visit. The VPN provider can see your DNS queries unless they also run their own DNS service. If privacy from the VPN provider matters to you, use a VPN that offers its own DNS service, or change your DNS to a privacy-focused server like Cloudflare before connecting to the VPN.

Can my internet provider see which DNS server I am using?

Yes, they can see that you are querying a different server. They cannot see which websites you are asking about unless they intercept the DNS query itself, which most do not do. If you want to hide your DNS queries from your internet provider, you need DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT), which encrypt the query. Some browsers and operating systems support these, but they are not yet standard everywhere.