How To Change DNS: A Clear Guide To Better Internet Connection Today
Have you ever felt your internet connection was not as quick as it could be, or perhaps you ran into trouble getting to certain websites? A lot of people, you know, do not realize that the Domain Name System, or DNS, plays a big part in how you experience the internet. It is like the phone book for the web, translating easy-to-remember website names into numerical addresses that computers use. Changing your DNS settings can actually make your online time smoother, more private, and even safer.
Sometimes, the DNS server your internet provider gives you is not the fastest or the most private. It can feel a bit like using an old, slow map when there is a super-fast GPS system available. For instance, some providers, like Xfinity, might even redirect your internet traffic through their own DNS servers, even if you try to change settings on your computer. This can be a real bother for folks looking for a different online experience, maybe wanting to get around content blocks or just seeking a bit more speed. It can be frustrating, to say the least, when you try to make a change and it just does not seem to stick.
This guide will show you how to change DNS settings on various devices and even address some of those tricky situations, like when your internet provider seems to get in the way. We will look at ways to make these changes stay put, even after your computer restarts, and talk about how using your own router can really help. By the end of this, you will have a good idea of how to take more control over your internet connection, possibly making it quicker and more private for you, which is pretty neat.
Table of Contents
- What is DNS and Why Consider a Change?
- Choosing a Public DNS Server
- How to Change DNS on Your Computer
- Changing DNS on Your Router
- Common Challenges and Solutions
- Frequently Asked Questions About Changing DNS
- Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Internet
What is DNS and Why Consider a Change?
Understanding DNS in Simple Terms
DNS, or the Domain Name System, is like the internet's directory. When you type a website name, say "example.com", into your browser, your computer actually needs to find that website's numerical address, which is its IP address. The DNS server is what does this translation for you, more or less instantly. So, you know, it is pretty important for everything you do online.
Think of it this way: you know a friend's name, but to call them, you need their phone number. The DNS server gives your computer that "phone number" for the website name you typed. Most of the time, your internet service provider (ISP) automatically sets up your devices to use their own DNS servers. This usually works fine for everyday browsing, but there are, you know, other options out there.
Reasons to Change Your DNS
People often choose to change their DNS for a few good reasons. One big reason is speed. Some public DNS servers are just quicker at looking up those website addresses, which can make web pages load a bit faster. Another very common reason is privacy. Your ISP's DNS server sees every website you visit, so using a third-party DNS can add a layer of privacy to your online activities. It is kind of like choosing a different, more private route when you are driving, you know.
Then there is security. Some public DNS providers offer extra protection, like blocking known harmful websites or phishing attempts before they even reach your computer. For families, some DNS services can even filter out adult content, which is a pretty useful feature for parents. And sometimes, you know, people change DNS to get around regional content restrictions, though that is a bit more advanced. So, there are quite a few good reasons to consider this change, actually.
Choosing a Public DNS Server
When you decide to change your DNS, you will need to pick a different server to use. There are several popular and trustworthy public DNS services available, each with its own benefits. Two of the most widely used are Google Public DNS and Cloudflare DNS. Google Public DNS, with addresses like 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, is known for its speed and reliability. Many people find it to be a solid choice for general use, you know, offering a good balance of performance and stability.
Cloudflare DNS, at 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, focuses a lot on privacy and speed. They claim to be the fastest DNS resolver out there and do not log your IP address, which is a big plus for privacy-minded folks. OpenDNS, with addresses like 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220, offers content filtering options, which can be useful for families or small businesses wanting to block certain types of websites. Each of these has a slightly different approach, so you can pick the one that fits your needs best. For example, you might try Cloudflare if privacy is a big deal for you, or OpenDNS if you need content filtering, as a matter of fact.
How to Change DNS on Your Computer
Changing DNS on your computer is usually pretty straightforward, and it is a good first step. Keep in mind that if your internet provider redirects DNS requests, this change might not stick or might not work as expected, as we have seen with some Xfinity users. However, for many people, this method works just fine and gives you a taste of the benefits. We will go through the steps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which is pretty common.
For Windows Users
Changing your DNS settings on a Windows computer typically involves going into your network adapter settings. This is a common way to adjust how your computer connects to the internet. First, you will want to right-click on the network icon in your system tray, which is usually in the bottom right corner of your screen. Then, you will select "Open Network & Internet settings." This opens up a window where you can make various network adjustments, you know, like changing your connection type or setting up a VPN. From there, you will want to click on "Change adapter options," which will show you all your network connections, both wired and wireless, basically.
Once you see your network connections, you should right-click on the active connection you are using, like "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet," and pick "Properties." A new window will pop up. In this window, you will scroll down the list until you find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)." You will want to select this item, but do not uncheck the box next to it. After selecting it, click the "Properties" button below. This will open yet another window, which is where you can actually put in your new DNS server addresses. You will choose the option that says "Use the following DNS server addresses" and then type in your preferred primary and secondary DNS server numbers, like 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare, you know. After that, just click "OK" on all the open windows to save your changes, and you are pretty much done for Windows.
For macOS Users
For those using a Mac, changing DNS is also a pretty simple process, usually done through the System Settings. You will start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then choosing "System Settings." This opens the main control panel for your Mac, where you can adjust many different things. In the sidebar of the System Settings window, you will want to click on "Network." This will show you all your network connections, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and any other ways your Mac connects to the internet, you know.
Next, you will select the network connection you are currently using from the list on the left. For example, if you are on Wi-Fi, you will click "Wi-Fi." Then, click the "Details" button next to your active connection. This will bring up a new window with more specific settings for that connection. In this new window, look for the "DNS" tab and click on it. You will see a list of DNS servers your Mac is currently using. To add new ones, click the "+" button at the bottom of the list. You can then type in the new DNS server addresses, like 8.8.8.8 for Google Public DNS. If there are old, incorrect ones, you can select them and click the "-" button to remove them. After you have added your preferred DNS servers, click "OK" and then "Apply" to save your changes. It is a bit like setting new directions for your computer, you know, very straightforward.
For Linux Users (Especially Ubuntu)
Changing DNS settings on Linux can vary a bit depending on your specific distribution and desktop environment. For many users, especially those on modern Ubuntu versions like Ubuntu 24.04, the graphical interface (GUI) is the easiest way. However, as some users have noted, the methods for manually changing DNS servers in Ubuntu 24.04 do not always seem to be in place, or they might not stick after a restart. This is a common point of frustration for many. Typically, you would go to your network settings, find your connection, and there should be a fill-in for DNS when "automatic" is not selected. This is the most common path, you know, for a lot of people.
For a solution that sticks after reboot, especially if the GUI options are not working or are too temporary, you might need to use the command line. This is where things get a bit more technical, but it gives you more control. You could try editing files like `/etc/resolv.conf`, but as one user mentioned, this is often temporary and does not persist after a reboot. For a lasting solution, you often need to configure NetworkManager or systemd-resolved. For example, to configure NetworkManager, you might use the `nmcli` command. You would run commands like `nmcli con modify "Your Connection Name" ipv4.dns "8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4"` and then `nmcli con up "Your Connection Name"` to apply the changes. This tells your system to use specific DNS servers for that network connection, and it usually stays put. It is a bit more involved, but it is a reliable way to make sure your DNS changes are permanent, you know, which is what many people really want.
Changing DNS on Your Router
Changing DNS on your router is often seen as the best way to do it, as it applies the new settings to every device connected to your home network automatically. This means your computer, phone, smart TV, and any other gadget will use the new DNS servers without you having to set each one individually. It is a very efficient way to manage your network's DNS. To do this, you typically access your router's settings page through a web browser. You usually type your router's IP address into the browser's address bar, like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, which is pretty standard.
Once you are logged into your router's administration page (you will need the username and password, which are often on a sticker on the router itself), you will look for sections like "WAN," "Internet," "Network Settings," or "DHCP/DNS." The exact location varies a lot between router brands and models. In these sections, you should find fields where you can enter your preferred primary and secondary DNS server addresses. After entering them, remember to save your changes and then, you know, restart the router for the settings to take full effect. This should then push the new DNS settings to all your devices, which is pretty neat.
Router Settings and ISP Limitations
Here is where things can get a bit tricky, especially if you are using a router or gateway provided by your internet service provider, like an Xfinity xFi router. As some users have found, many ISPs, including Xfinity, do not allow you to change DNS server settings directly on their gateway modems. You might look everywhere in the settings GUI and just not see an option to do so. This can be incredibly frustrating if you are trying to improve your internet experience or gain more privacy, you know, and your own equipment seems to be holding you back.
The reason for this limitation often has to do with the ISP wanting to maintain control over your network traffic, perhaps for their own services, troubleshooting, or even for advertising purposes. They might even intercept and redirect your DNS requests to their own servers, even if you try to change the settings on your computer or individual devices. So, you know, if you put in 1.1.1.1 on your computer, their gateway might just send it to their own Comcast DNS servers anyway. This means that for some users, simply changing the DNS on a device or even trying to find the setting on the ISP-provided router just will not work, which is a bit of a bummer.
The Own Router Solution for ISP Gateways
If your internet provider's gateway modem does not allow you to change DNS settings, or if it redirects your DNS requests, there is a very effective workaround: using your own router. This is a solution that many people turn to when they want full control over their home network. The key step here is to put your ISP's modem into "bridged mode." When a modem is in bridged mode, it essentially stops acting as a router and just passes the internet signal directly to another device, like your personal router. This way, your own router becomes the primary device managing your network connections, which is pretty important.
Once your ISP modem is in bridged mode, you connect your own router to it. On your personal router, you will definitely be able to change the DNS server settings. You will go into your router's administration page, find the WAN or Internet settings, and put in your preferred public DNS server addresses, like those from Cloudflare or Google. This setup gives you complete control over your network's DNS, allowing you to use the servers you want for speed, privacy, or security. It is, you know, arguably the most reliable way to ensure your DNS changes stick and are not interfered with by your ISP, which is a big relief for many. Learn more about network configuration on our site, and you can also find out more about choosing the right router for your home.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even with all the steps laid out, you might still run into a few bumps along the way when trying to change your DNS. It is not always a perfectly smooth ride, as a matter of fact, especially with the variety of hardware and software out there. Knowing what to look out for and how to fix common issues can save you a lot of headache. We will talk about changes that do not stick and those pesky ISP redirections, which are pretty common problems.
DNS Changes Not Sticking
One common issue people face is that their DNS changes do not seem to stick after a reboot or after a while. This can be very frustrating, especially on Linux systems where temporary changes in `resolve.conf` are common. For instance, on Ubuntu 24.04, you might manually set a DNS, but then after restarting your computer, it goes back to the old one. This often happens because another system service, like NetworkManager or systemd-resolved, is automatically managing your DNS settings and overwriting your manual changes. So, you know, it is like a little battle happening behind the scenes.
To make DNS changes permanent, you need to configure the system service that is actually in charge. On Linux, this typically means telling NetworkManager or systemd-resolved to use your specific DNS servers. You might need to edit configuration files for these services or use their command-line tools, like `nmcli` for NetworkManager, as we talked about earlier. For Windows and macOS, if changes are not sticking, it might be a sign that your router is overriding device settings, or there is some software on your computer that is resetting them. In such cases, checking your router's settings first is a good idea, or even temporarily disabling any VPN or security software to see if they are interfering, which can sometimes be the case, actually.
ISP Redirection Issues
As mentioned earlier, some internet service providers, like Xfinity, might intercept and redirect your DNS requests to their own servers. This means even if you set a custom DNS like 1.1.1.1 on your computer, your requests might still end up going through your ISP's DNS servers. It is a bit like trying to send a letter through a specific post office, but your mail carrier always reroutes it through their preferred one, you know. This is a significant hurdle for users who want to use a different DNS for privacy, speed, or content filtering.
If you suspect your ISP is redirecting your DNS, there are a few ways to confirm and address it. You can use online tools to check which DNS server your computer is actually using, rather than just what you set it to use. If redirection is happening, the most reliable solution is to put your ISP's modem into bridged mode and use your own router. Your own router gives you full control over DNS settings, and since it is handling the DNS requests before they even reach your ISP's gateway, the redirection usually does not happen. This is the path many users take when they face this particular problem, and it tends to work quite well, you know, for getting around those limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing DNS
Is it safe to change DNS?
Yes, changing your DNS is generally very safe. You are just telling your computer to use a different phone book for finding websites. Public DNS servers like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS are run by big, trustworthy companies. They are designed to be reliable and secure. Just make sure you are using well-known and reputable DNS server addresses, and you should be fine, you know, with the change.
What are the best public DNS servers?
The "best" DNS server really depends on what you are looking for. For speed and general reliability, Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1)
How to Change Your Windows DNS: 7 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
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How to Change DNS Servers in Windows
How to change Windows DNS server settings | PDQ
