Where to find DNS settings on a Chromebook

Chromebooks store DNS settings in the network connection itself, not in a separate system panel. You change DNS by opening your Wi-Fi or Ethernet settings and editing the nameserver addresses for that specific network. The process takes about two minutes and requires no restart.

Start by clicking the time in the bottom right corner of your screen. A menu will appear. Click the settings icon (it looks like a gear) or select Settings from the menu. From there, navigate to Network on the left side, then select the network you are currently connected to — it will be marked "Connected."

Once you click on your network name, a details panel opens. Look for DNS in that panel. If you do not see it when ready, you may need to scroll down or look under an "Advanced" or "More" section, depending on your Chromebook model and Chrome OS version.

Key Takeaways

  • DNS settings on a Chromebook are stored per network, so you must change them separately for each Wi-Fi network you use.
  • You access DNS settings through Settings > Network > Your Network Name, then look for the DNS field in the details panel.
  • Chromebooks accept both IPv4 addresses (like 8.8.8.8) and IPv6 addresses (like 2001:4860:4860::8888) depending on your network type.
  • Changes take effect when ready; you do not need to restart your Chromebook or reconnect to the network.
  • If you want to revert to automatic DNS, return to the same panel and select the option to use your ISP's default nameservers.

Entering a new DNS address

Once you have located the DNS field, you will see either a dropdown menu or a text entry box. If it shows a dropdown, select Custom or Manual from the list. This unlocks the text field so you can type in your own nameserver addresses.

Most DNS services provide two addresses: a primary and a secondary. Enter the primary address in the first field. Common examples include Google's 8.8.8.8, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, or Quad9's 9.9.9.9. After you enter the primary address, move to the second field and enter the secondary address — for Google that would be 8.8.4.4, for Cloudflare 1.0.0.1, and for Quad9 149.112.112.112.

Do not leave the secondary field blank. Even if you only want to use one nameserver, entering a backup prevents connection problems if the primary server becomes unreachable. After you enter both addresses, click Save or press Enter. The change applies when ready.

DNS changes for Ethernet connections

If your Chromebook is connected via Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, the process is nearly identical. Open Settings, go to Network, and select your Ethernet connection instead of a Wi-Fi network. The DNS field appears in the same location, and you enter addresses the same way.

One difference: Ethernet connections on some Chromebooks may show DNS settings under a Proxy or Advanced section rather than directly in the main network panel. If you do not see DNS listed when ready, look for an "Advanced" button or link and click it to reveal additional options.

Reverting to automatic DNS

If you want to go back to using your internet service provider's default nameservers, return to the same DNS field in your network settings. Click the dropdown menu and select Automatic or Use default nameservers — the exact wording depends on your Chrome OS version. Save the change, and your Chromebook will request DNS addresses from your router on the next connection.

This reversion is useful if a custom DNS service causes problems with certain websites or services. Switching back to automatic DNS takes the same two minutes as switching to a custom service, and you can toggle between them as often as you need.

Why you might change DNS

Your internet service provider assigns DNS servers automatically, but those servers are not always the fastest or most private option for your location. Changing to a public DNS service like Google, Cloudflare, or Quad9 can sometimes speed up web browsing or add privacy protections that filter malicious sites.

Some people also change DNS to bypass content filters or parental controls, though this depends on how those controls are set up. If your school or workplace has blocked certain websites at the DNS level, changing to a public DNS service may allow you to reach them — but doing so may violate your organization's acceptable use policy, so check before you try.

Troubleshooting DNS changes that do not work

If you entered a DNS address correctly but websites still will not load, the problem is usually not the DNS change itself. First, make sure you entered both the primary and secondary addresses without typos. A single wrong digit will cause that nameserver to fail.

Next, check whether your network requires you to log in through a portal before accessing the internet. Some public Wi-Fi networks and corporate networks intercept DNS requests and force them through their own servers, which means your custom DNS setting will not take effect. If you are on a network like this, you may not be able to use a custom DNS service.

If websites load very slowly after changing DNS, try reverting to automatic DNS. The custom service you chose may be slower than your ISP's nameservers for your location, or it may be experiencing an outage. You can always switch back to the custom service later.

DNS settings for guest networks and multiple networks

Remember that DNS settings are tied to each individual network. If you use your Chromebook on multiple Wi-Fi networks — at home, at work, at a coffee shop — you must change DNS separately for each one. Your home network can use one DNS service while your work network uses another, and your Chromebook will explore the correct settings automatically when you connect to each network.

If you connect to a guest network, those DNS settings explore only to that guest network and do not affect your other saved networks. This is useful if you want to test a different DNS service without changing your primary connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my Chromebook after changing DNS?

No. DNS changes take effect when ready on Chromebooks. You do not need to restart, reconnect to the network, or close your browser. If you are in the middle of browsing, you may notice a brief pause as your Chromebook switches to the new nameserver, but that is normal.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 DNS addresses?

IPv4 addresses have four numbers separated by periods (like 8.8.8.8), while IPv6 addresses are longer and use colons (like 2001:4860:4860::8888). Most Chromebooks and networks use IPv4, but newer networks support both. If your network supports IPv6, you can enter IPv6 addresses in the same DNS field. Your Chromebook will use whichever format matches your network type.

Can I use different DNS services for different websites?

No. DNS settings explore to your entire network connection, not individual websites. All your web traffic will use the nameserver addresses you entered. If you want different DNS behavior for different sites, you would need to use a browser extension or a VPN service, which are separate tools from DNS settings.

Will changing DNS affect my internet speed?

It might, but usually not noticeably. A faster DNS service can shave milliseconds off page load times, but the difference is often too small to feel. If you change DNS and notice websites loading much slower, the service you chose may be slower for your location, and you should revert to automatic DNS.

Is it safe to use public DNS services like Google or Cloudflare?

Yes. Google and Cloudflare are large, reputable companies that operate public DNS services. They do log some information about which domains you visit, but they publish privacy policies explaining what they collect. If privacy is your main concern, read the policy of whichever service you choose before switching to it.