What DNS is and why you might change it

DNS (Domain Name System) is the service that translates web addresses like google.com into the IP addresses your computer actually needs to reach. By default, your PC uses DNS servers provided by your internet service provider. Changing to a different DNS server can speed up web browsing, block ads or malware, or restore access to websites your ISP has blocked.

Common reasons to switch include using a faster public DNS like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8), or choosing a privacy-focused option like Quad9 that filters known malicious sites. The change takes effect when ready and does not affect your internet connection itself — only how your computer looks up addresses.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change DNS through Settings (the fastest route on Windows 10 and 11) or through Control Panel and Network Connections on older versions.
  • Write down your current DNS servers before you change them, in case you need to revert — most ISPs print these on your bill or router label.
  • After changing DNS, restart your browser or wait a few minutes for the change to take effect across all programs.
  • If a website stops working after you change DNS, switching back to your ISP's servers usually fixes it within minutes.

Changing DNS through Windows Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then navigate to Network & Internet on the left sidebar. Click WiFi if you use wireless, or Ethernet if you use a wired connection. Under your current network name, click Edit or Manage.

Scroll down to DNS server assignment and click Edit. Change the dropdown from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual. Toggle on IPv4 (or IPv6 if you prefer, though IPv4 is more common). Enter your new DNS server addresses in the fields provided — for example, Cloudflare uses 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Click Save when done.

Your PC will use the new DNS servers within seconds. Open a web browser and visit any website to confirm it works. If you see a "DNS server not responding" error, go back and check that you typed the addresses correctly, or switch back to Automatic.

Changing DNS through Network Settings (Windows 7 and older)

Open Control Panel and click Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. On the left, click Change adapter settings. Right-click your active connection (either Ethernet or WiFi) and select Properties.

In the list of items, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), highlight it, and click Properties. Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter your new servers in the fields. Click OK, then OK again to close the connection properties. The change takes effect when ready.

Changing DNS for a specific network connection only

If you use multiple networks (home WiFi, office WiFi, mobile hotspot), you can set different DNS servers for each. In Windows 10 and 11, the method above applies only to the network you are currently connected to — switching to a different network will use whatever DNS is set for that network.

To set DNS for a network you are not currently using, you must connect to it first, then follow the Settings steps above. Repeat for each network where you want custom DNS. This is useful if you want privacy-focused DNS at home but your office network requires their own DNS for internal resources.

Reverting to your ISP's DNS if something breaks

If websites stop loading or load very slowly after you change DNS, the new server may be down or incompatible with your network. The fastest fix is to revert to automatic DNS. In Settings, go back to Network & Internet, find your connection, click Edit, and change DNS server assignment back to Automatic (DHCP). Save and wait 30 seconds.

If you do not remember your ISP's DNS addresses, you can find them by opening Command Prompt (press Windows key + R, type cmd, press Enter) and typing ipconfig /all. Look for "DNS Servers" in the output — those are your ISP's addresses. Write them down for future reference.

Testing your new DNS to confirm it is working

After changing DNS, open a new browser tab and visit a website you have never been to before — this forces your computer to look up the address fresh, rather than using a cached result. The page should load normally within a few seconds.

To verify which DNS server your computer is actually using, open Command Prompt and type nslookup google.com. The output will show the server address that answered the query. If it matches the address you entered, the change worked. If it shows your ISP's address instead, wait a few minutes and try again — some systems cache DNS settings briefly.

Choosing between public DNS providers

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) is fast and does not log your browsing history. Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) is also fast but does collect some data. Quad9 (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112) blocks known malware and phishing sites. OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) offers parental controls if you want to block adult content on your network.

For most users, Cloudflare or Google is the practical choice — both are reliable and noticeably faster than many ISP DNS servers. If privacy is your main concern, Cloudflare or Quad9 are better options. Enter both the primary and secondary address (the second one in each pair) to may support your computer has a backup if the first server is unreachable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS make my internet faster?

It may. Public DNS servers like Cloudflare and Google are often faster than ISP servers, especially if your ISP's DNS is slow or overloaded. You will notice the difference most on the first page load after you clear your browser cache. If you see no improvement after a week, your ISP's DNS was probably fine to begin with.

Can I use different DNS servers on different devices?

Yes. Each device (phone, laptop, tablet) has its own DNS setting. Changing DNS on your PC does not affect your phone or other devices. If you want the same DNS across everything, you can also set it on your router, which will explore to all devices connected to that router.

What happens if I enter a DNS address wrong?

Websites will not load, and you will see a "DNS server not responding" error. Go back to Settings, check the address you typed, and correct it. If you are not sure what you entered, switch back to Automatic DNS and try again. There is no penalty for getting it wrong — just switch back and try once more.

Do I need to restart my PC after changing DNS?

No. The change takes effect when ready in Windows 10 and 11. You may need to close and reopen your browser to clear its cache, but a full restart is not necessary. On Windows 7, the change also takes effect right away.

Can my ISP see what websites I visit if I change DNS?

Your ISP can still see that you are connecting to websites, but they cannot see which specific pages you visit if the site uses HTTPS (the padlock icon in your browser). Changing DNS does not hide your activity from your ISP — it only changes who looks up the addresses. For real privacy, you need a VPN.