DNS Setup Guide

Follow these step-by-step instructions to change your DNS settings on any device. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.

Before You Start

Pick a DNS provider from our directory and note down two IP addresses (primary and secondary). Popular choices: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 or Google 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4. Write down your current DNS settings so you can revert if needed.

1

Open Network Settings

Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet). Click on your active connection.

2

Edit DNS Server Assignment

Scroll down to DNS server assignment and click Edit. Change from "Automatic (DHCP)" to Manual.

3

Enter DNS Addresses

Enable IPv4, then enter your chosen DNS addresses:

  • Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google)
  • Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.4.4 (Google)
4

Save and Flush Cache

Click Save. Open Command Prompt as admin and run: ipconfig /flushdns to clear the old DNS cache.

1

Open System Settings

Click the Apple menu → System Settings → Network. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

2

Configure DNS

Click Details, then select the DNS tab. Click the + button under DNS Servers.

3

Add DNS Servers

Enter your DNS addresses one at a time:

  • 1.1.1.1 then 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare)
  • Or 8.8.8.8 then 8.8.4.4 (Google)
4

Apply Changes

Click OK, then Apply. Open Terminal and run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache to flush the DNS cache.

1

Using NetworkManager (GUI)

Click the network icon → Settings → select your connection → IPv4 tab. Set Method to Automatic (DHCP) addresses only, then enter DNS servers separated by commas: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1

2

Using systemd-resolved

Edit /etc/systemd/resolved.conf and set:

  • DNS=1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1
  • FallbackDNS=8.8.8.8

Then run: sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

3

Verify

Run resolvectl status or cat /etc/resolv.conf to confirm your new DNS servers are active.

1

Open Wi-Fi Settings

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Internet. Long-press your connected Wi-Fi network, then tap the gear icon.

2

Modify Network

Tap Edit (pencil icon) → expand Advanced options → set IP settings to Static or keep DHCP and look for DNS fields.

3

Enter DNS

Enter DNS 1: 1.1.1.1 and DNS 2: 1.0.0.1. Tap Save.

4

Android 9+ Private DNS

For encrypted DNS, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS → select Private DNS provider hostname and enter one.one.one.one (Cloudflare) or dns.google.

1

Open Wi-Fi Settings

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Tap the (i) icon next to your connected network.

2

Configure DNS

Scroll down and tap Configure DNS. Change from Automatic to Manual.

3

Add Servers

Tap Add Server and enter:

  • 1.1.1.1
  • 1.0.0.1

Remove any old entries, then tap Save.

4

Test Connection

Open Safari and visit any website to confirm DNS is working. For encrypted DNS on iOS 14+, install a DNS profile or use an app that supports DoH.

1

Access Router Admin

Open a browser and go to your router's IP (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with your admin credentials.

2

Find DNS Settings

Look for DNS Settings, Internet Settings, or WAN Settings. The location varies by router brand (TP-Link, Netgear, ASUS, etc.).

3

Set Custom DNS

Disable automatic DNS if needed. Enter:

  • Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
  • Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1
4

Apply to All Devices

Save and reboot the router. All devices on your network will now use the new DNS automatically — the easiest way to configure every device at once.

Verify Your DNS Change

After changing DNS, visit any website to confirm connectivity. You can also search for "DNS leak test" online to verify which DNS server your device is actually using. If something breaks, revert to automatic DNS settings.

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