How to change the DNS server on Windows, Mac, Linux, smartphones, and routers

Is it good to change your DNS?

You can benefit in several ways by changing your DNS:

• Better speed. If your internet connection is slow due to high traffic going through your current DNS server, you can choose a faster server and improve the speed at which your computer loads websites
• More privacy and security. Since your internet service provider (ISP) assigns your DNS and IP addresses, you might be subjected to ISP tracking. That means your ISP may be tracking which websites you visit and how long you spend there, what content you’re viewing, and your IP address. If you change your DNS server, you limit the amount of data your ISP can collect on you. A secure DNS server also offers security features, such as blocking malicious websites and preventing data theft through phishing attacks. Some DNS servers may also offer encryption for DNS traffic and no-log policies for added online privacy.
• Censored content. Some governments censor websites by manipulating DNS servers and restricting free access to information. Switching to a different DNS server can sometimes restore access to this information.
• Better website performance. If you have a website, you have control over the DNS settings for your domain. By managing various types of DNS records, such as A records and MX records, as well as other DNS settings, such as DNS TTL, you can ensure your website resolves correctly and efficiently.

However, changing your DNS can be dangerous, especially if you connect to an unreliable DNS server:

• DNS cache poisoning. It is a type of cyberattack in which attackers corrupt the DNS cache — they compromise and replace data stored in the DNS cache with fraudulent redirects to divert traffic to malicious websites, like phishing sites. They achieve this by tricking the server into accepting incorrect information or exploiting the server’s software vulnerabilities. When you try to access an affected domain, you are redirected to a malicious website that can steal personal information or infect your device with malware.
• DNS spoofing. Sometimes used interchangeably with “DNS cache poisoning,” DNS spoofing is the end result of DNS cache poisoning. It is the redirection of internet users to fake or dangerous websites. Cybercriminals replace the real IP addresses with fraudulent ones to redirect traffic to websites where they steal users’ data, login credentials, and banking information or spy on users and their activity.
• DNS hijacking. In this type of DNS cyberattack, cybercriminals gain access to the servers or users’ devices and change the DNS settings to direct traffic to a specific IP address. If the DNS server you are using has been hijacked, when you type in a URL of a legitimate website, your device is automatically directed to a malicious IP address instead of the one you wanted to access. Once you’ve accessed the malicious website, cybercriminals may try to steal your data, conduct a phishing attack, or install malware on your device.

How to change your DNS server

Changing your DNS server is a simple process that typically takes just a few minutes and can be done on any device that uses the internet. With many different available gadgets, you can change your DNS on gaming consoles, smart TVs, computers, and smartphones. Here’s how to change your DNS server on a Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS device.

How to change your DNS server on Windows 11

1. 1.Find the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of your computer screen and click on it.
   
2. 2.When a window with a search bar appears, type in “Manage network adapter settings” and open the matching result.
   
3. 3.Find either “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi,” depending on which one you are using, and click on it. More details will appear, including the option to “View additional properties.” Click it.
   
4. 4.Next to “DNS server assignment” press the “Edit” button.
   
5. 5.In the small pop-up box, select “Manual.”
   
6. 6.Now, adjust the settings as follows:
   • “IPv4” turned “On”
   • Preferred DNS: [type in the primary DNS address]
   • Alternate DNS: [type in the secondary DNS address]
   • “IPv6” turned “Off”
     
7. 7.Click “Save.” And you’re done!

How to change your DNS server on a Windows 10

1. 1.Right-click the network icon (or the Wi-Fi icon) in the taskbar notification area and select “Network and internet settings.”
2. 2. Choose “Change adapter options.”
   
3. 3.Right-click on either “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi,” depending on which one you are using, and choose “Properties.”
   
4. 4.Select “Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties.”
   
5. 5.Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the primary and secondary addresses of your choice.
   

That’s it! You’re all set.

How to change Your DNS server on a Mac

1. 1.Go to “System preferences” and click on “Network.”
   
2. 2.Select the network interface you are using and tap “Details.”
   
3. 3.Open the “DNS” tab and click the “+” button at the bottom, then add the DNS server addresses of your choice.
   

You’re all set!

How to change Your DNS server on Linux

1. 1.Press “Ctrl + T” to open the terminal.
2. 2.Enter the following command to become the root user: su
   
3. 3.Having entered your root password, run these commands:
   • rm -r /etc/resolv.conf
   • nano /etc/resolv.conf
     
4. 4.When the text editor opens, type in “nameserver” and the preferred DNS server addresses:
   • nameserver [primary DNS server address]
   • nameserver [secondary DNS server address]
     
5. 5.Close and save the file. You can do so by clicking “Ctrl + X” and pressing “Y.” Then type in the terminal:
   • chattr +i /etc/resolv.conf
   • reboot nowpic
     

Congratulations! You are now using the servers of your choice.

How to change Your DNS server on an Android phone

1. 1.Open your device’s “Settings.”
   
2. 2.Go to “Connections” and choose “Wi-Fi.”
   
   
3. 3.Find the “Current network,” tap the cog icon and press “View more.”
   
4. 4.Change your “IP settings” to “Static.”
   
   
5. 5.Scroll down to the “DNS 1” and “DNS 2” fields that appear and enter your chosen DNS addresses. Tap “Save.”
   
6. 6.Disconnect from the network, then reconnect for the changes to take effect.

How to change Your DNS server on iOS

1. 1.Open your device’s “Settings.”
   
2. 2.Tap on “Wi-Fi.” You’ll have to turn it on if it’s been switched off.
   
3. 3.Choose a Wi-Fi network and tap on the blue “i” icon.
   
4. 4.Then tap “Configure DNS” and select “Manual.”
   
   
5. 5.Tap “Add server” and add the DNS addresses of your choice.
   

How to change your router’s DNS server

You may want to change your router’s DNS settings to improve internet browsing speed, security, and efficiency. By default, your router uses DNS servers operated by your ISP. All the devices connected to your network use the same DNS servers that your router does, which means that by changing DNS server settings on your router, you also apply the same configuration to every device on your network. So let’s see how it’s done on different routers.

• Asus routers:

1. 1.To access your router’s admin page, type “http://192.168.1.1” into your browser’s address bar.
2. 2.Select “WAN” from the left-side menu and click the “Internet connection” tab.
3. 3.Scroll down to “WAN DNS setting” and change the setting “Connect to DNS server automatically” to “No.”
4. 4.Enter your preferred primary and secondary DNS server addresses in the “DNS server 1” and “DNS server 2” fields.
5. 5.Click “Apply” to save the new settings.

• NetGear routers:

First, you need to find the default gateway IP address of your specific router. Type “cmd” into the search field on your desktop taskbar to open “Command Prompt,” enter “ipconfig,” and find the string of numbers listed next to “Default gateway.” Having found your router’s default gateway IP, follow these steps:

1. 1.Enter the default gateway IP address into your browser to sign in to the NetGear web interface.
2. 2.If your NetGear interface has both “Basic” and “Advanced” tabs displayed at the top of the page, select “Basic” and click on “Internet.” If it only has the “Basic” tab, just click “Settings.”
3. 3.Under the DNS address, select “Use these DNS servers.”
4. 4.Enter your preferred primary and secondary DNS server addresses in the “Primary DNS” and “Secondary DNS” fields.
5. 5.Click “Apply” and restart your device if prompted. And you’re good to go!

• Linksys routers:

1. 1.To sign in to your Linksys router’s web interface, type “http://192.168.1.1” into your browser’s address bar.
2. 2.Click “Setup” on the main menu and select “Basic setup.”
3. 3.Enter your preferred primary and secondary DNS server addresses in the “Static DNS 1” and “Static DNS 2” fields.
4. 4.You can add a different DNS server address in the “Static DNS 3” field, or you can leave that field blank.
5. 5.To save the new settings, click “Apply” at the bottom of the screen.

Another way to make your connection and online traffic more secure is to set up a VPN on your router. You may use up to a total of 10 devices simultaneously with one active NordVPN subscription. However, you can configure your router with a VPN connection to cover your whole household, while using only one of the 10 available slots.

• NordVPN:

If you are looking for a secure DNS connection, NordVPN’s servers are the right choice. By default, NordVPN offers private DNS in its native apps, but you can also configure your devices manually to use secure DNS server addresses. You should do so if you are connecting to NordVPN from a non-native app or are having problems setting up DNS addresses in the app. You can find the detailed instructions on how to configure NordVPN DNS addresses on different devices by visiting our support page on connectivity and typing “DNS” in the search bar.

Test your new DNS settings

Now it’s time to try out your new DNS settings by doing a DNS leak test. Simply go to the DNS leak test website and choose either a standard or extended test.

If you are using a VPN, your online traffic, including DNS queries, should be routed through the VPN network. A DNS leak test works by sending a number of domain names for the VPN to resolve. If at least one of the servers in the results belongs to your ISP, the VPN probably has a DNS leak. However, if the test displays DNS servers that don’t belong to your ISP, your traffic is secure.