How to Change DNS Server Settings

Is it better to change DNS servers on your router or your device?

What to Know

  • To change the DNS servers on a router, look for text fields labeled as DNS, usually in a DNS Address section.
  • Every router is different, so consult your router's documentation for specific steps to change DNS server settings.

This article explains how to change DNS server settings on a router, a computer, or other devices.

Changing DNS Server Settings

When you change the DNS servers that your router, computer, or other internet-connected device uses, you're changing the servers, usually assigned by your ISP, that the computer or device uses to convert hostnames to IP addresses.

In other words, you're changing the service provider that turns www.facebook.com to 173.252.110.27.

A screenshot of ASUS DNS settings

Changing DNS servers can be a good step while you're troubleshooting certain kinds of internet connection problems. It also might help keep your web surfing more private—assuming you choose a service that doesn't log your data—and could even allow you to access sites that your ISP has chosen to block. Although unlikely for most people, you might benefit from increased internet speed after changing your DNS servers.

Before you change your DNS servers, you'll need to decide if it's a better choice, in your specific situation, to change them on your router or on your individual computers or devices:

  • Change the DNS servers on your router if you'd like all the devices that connect to the internet through that router to also use the new DNS servers. This technique only works if your computers and devices are set up using DHCP, meaning they look to the router for DNS server information, among other things. This approach is typical.
  • Change the DNS servers on an individual device if you'd like only that one device to use these different DNS servers. This approach is a good idea when you're troubleshooting an internet problem with one device that you suspect might be DNS related. This is also the right course of action if you're in the uncommon situation of not using DHCP to obtain network information for your computers or other internet-connected devices.​

Changing DNS Servers on a Router

To change the DNS servers on a router, look for text fields labeled as DNS, usually in a DNS Address section, most likely in a Setup or Basic Settings area in the router's web-based management interface, and enter the new addresses.

Every router manages this process differently. Consult your router's documentation for specific steps to update DNS for your specific hardware.

Changing DNS Servers on Computers and Other Devices

Microsoft changed the wording and location of network related settings with each new release, but you can still change DNS servers in Windows, whether you use Windows 11, 7, XP, or some other version.

Configuring your Mac's DNS settings involves a different process.

Using an Android device? See our guide on changing DNS servers on Android if you need help.

If you're an iOS user, you can find the option to change DNS servers in the settings for the Wi-Fi network you're connected to. Choose Configure DNS > Manual to add the servers.

Use one of several public DNS servers instead of the automatically assigned ones you're probably using now. See our list of free and public DNS servers that have primary and secondary DNS servers you can change to right now.

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