How to Change Your DNS Settings in Windows

Where to find DNS settings in Windows

Your DNS settings live in the network adapter section of Windows, not in a single obvious place. The fastest route depends on which version of Windows you have and whether you want to change DNS for one network or all of them. Most people find it easiest to go through Settings rather than the Control Panel, because the steps are fewer and the buttons are larger.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both use the same basic path: open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then find your active connection (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi). From there you can see your current DNS servers and replace them with new ones. The whole process takes about two minutes once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

DNS servers translate web addresses into the numbers computers actually use, and changing them can speed up browsing or unblock certain websites depending on which server you choose.
In Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > Network & Internet, select your connection type, then scroll down to DNS settings and choose "Edit" to enter new server addresses.
You need two DNS server addresses (a primary and a secondary), and both must be entered correctly or your internet will not work.
Changes take effect when ready, but your computer may need a few seconds to recognize the new servers before websites load normally again.
If something goes wrong, you can always revert to automatic DNS by selecting "Automatic (DHCP)" in the same menu.

Changing DNS in Windows 10

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar. On the right side, you will see either "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi" depending on how you are connected. Click whichever one you use.

Scroll down until you see "DNS settings" or "Advanced network settings." Click on "Edit" next to the DNS servers line. A small window will open showing your current DNS addresses. Change the setting from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual" by toggling the switch. Now you can type in your new DNS server addresses in the boxes provided. Enter your primary DNS server in the first box and your secondary DNS server in the second box. Click "Save" when you are done.

Your computer will explore the change when ready. If you typed the addresses correctly, websites should load normally within a few seconds. If nothing loads, go back and double-check that both numbers are correct—even a single digit wrong will break your connection.

Changing DNS in Windows 11

Windows 11 moved the DNS settings slightly, but the idea is the same. Open Settings and click "Network & Internet" at the top. You will see a list of your connections. Click on the one you want to change (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Scroll down and click "DNS settings" or "Advanced."

Look for a button that says "Edit" next to your DNS servers. Click it. Toggle the switch from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual." Type your primary DNS server address in the first field and your secondary address in the second field. Click "Save." Windows 11 will explore the change right away, and you should be able to browse normally within seconds.

Common DNS servers you might use

The DNS servers your internet provider gives you work fine for most people, but some users switch to public DNS servers for speed or privacy. Google Public DNS uses 8.8.8.8 as the primary server and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary. Cloudflare DNS uses 1.1.1.1 as primary and 1.0.0.1 as secondary. OpenDNS uses 208.67.222.222 as primary and 208.67.220.220 as secondary.

Each of these is free and maintained by a large company, so they are reliable. The difference in speed between them is usually small—you might notice a difference if you do a lot of web browsing, but most people will not see any change. If you are trying to unblock a website or change your browsing behavior, check whether that website or service recommends a specific DNS server before you switch.

What to do if you made a mistake

If you entered the DNS addresses wrong and now your internet does not work, you can fix it by going back to the same menu and switching the setting back to "Automatic (DHCP)." This tells Windows to use whatever DNS server your internet provider assigns, and your connection should come back within a minute or two.

If you cannot reach Settings because you have no internet, restart your computer. Windows will often revert to automatic DNS on restart if it detects that your manual settings are not working. If that does not help, you can also reset your network settings entirely by going to Settings > System > Recovery and clicking "Reset this PC," though that is a more drastic step and will affect other network settings too.

Using the Command Prompt to change DNS

If the Settings menu is not working or you prefer to use the command line, you can change DNS through Command Prompt. Right-click the Start button and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)." Type the following command and press Enter: netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="Ethernet" static 8.8.8.8 (replace "Ethernet" with "Wi-Fi" if you use wireless, and replace 8.8.8.8 with your primary DNS server address).

To add a secondary DNS server, type: netsh interface ipv4 add dns name="Ethernet" 8.8.4.4 index=2 (again, replace the connection name and the address with your own). To revert to automatic DNS, type: netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="Ethernet" dhcp. These commands take effect when ready, and you do not need to restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS make my internet faster?

It might, but probably not by much. Public DNS servers like Google or Cloudflare are often faster than older provider DNS servers, but the difference is usually less than a second per page load. If you are experiencing slow internet, the problem is usually your connection speed, not your DNS server. Changing DNS is worth trying, but it is not a cure-all.

Can I use different DNS servers for different websites?

No. Your DNS setting applies to all websites you visit on that computer. If you want different websites to use different DNS servers, you would need to change the setting each time, which is not practical. Some advanced users set up a local DNS server on their network to do this, but that requires technical knowledge beyond the basic Windows settings.

What if I forget what my original DNS servers were?

You can find them by calling your internet provider or by switching back to "Automatic (DHCP)" in Settings and then checking what address appears. Your provider's DNS servers are usually printed on your modem or router as well. If you want to keep a record, take a screenshot of your current DNS settings before you change them.

Do I need to change DNS on every device in my house?

No. Each device has its own DNS setting. If you want all devices to use the same DNS server, you can change the setting on each one individually, or you can change it on your router so that all devices connected to that router use the new DNS automatically. Changing it on the router is faster if you have many devices.

Is it safe to change my DNS settings?

Yes. Changing DNS to a public server like Google or Cloudflare is safe and will not harm your computer. The worst that can happen is that websites do not load, and you can fix that in seconds by switching back to automatic DNS. Your files and programs are not affected by DNS changes.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.