Change DNS Server Through Network Settings

The fastest way to change your DNS server on Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you use a wired connection). Select your network, then click Edit next to DNS server assignment. Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual, toggle on IPv4, and enter your new DNS server addresses in the fields provided.

You will need two addresses: a primary DNS server and a secondary one as a backup. Common public DNS servers include Google's (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). Enter the primary address in the first field and the secondary in the second, then click Save. Windows will explore the change when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method (Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet > Edit DNS) works for most users and takes about two minutes.
  • You must switch DNS server assignment from Automatic to Manual and enter both a primary and secondary DNS address.
  • Control Panel's Network and Sharing Center offers an alternative route if Settings does not work on your system.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but some websites may take a few minutes to load while your system updates its cache.
  • If you change your mind, you can always switch back to Automatic (DHCP) to use your internet provider's default DNS servers.

Change DNS Server Through Control Panel

If you prefer the older Control Panel interface or Settings is not responding, you can change DNS through Network and Sharing Center. Open Control Panel, select Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. On the left side, click Change adapter settings.

Right-click your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties. In the window that opens, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the list, highlight it, and click Properties. Select Use the following DNS server addresses, then enter your primary and secondary DNS servers in the fields. Click OK twice to save.

What Happens When You Change DNS

When you change your DNS server, you are telling Windows to use a different service to translate website names (like google.com) into the IP addresses your computer actually needs. Your internet provider normally handles this automatically, but switching to a public DNS service can sometimes improve speed, security, or access to blocked content depending on which service you choose.

The change takes effect right away for new web requests, but your computer stores recent lookups in a cache. Some websites may take a few minutes to load while your system clears old information and fetches fresh results from the new DNS server. Restarting your browser usually speeds this up.

Verify Your DNS Change Worked

To confirm the change took effect, open a command prompt and type ipconfig /all, then press Enter. Look for the line labeled DNS Servers under your network adapter. The addresses shown should match the ones you entered. If they still show your internet provider's addresses, the change did not explore—try restarting your computer or checking that you clicked Save.

You can also visit a website like whatismydns.net in your browser. Enter your domain name and select your location, and the site will show you which DNS server answered the request. This confirms that your new DNS server is actually being used for web lookups.

Revert to Your Internet Provider's DNS

If you want to go back to your internet provider's default DNS servers, the process is straightforward. In Settings, go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet, select your network, click Edit, and change DNS server assignment back to Automatic (DHCP). In Control Panel, follow the same steps but select Obtain DNS server address automatically instead of entering manual addresses.

Your computer will request DNS settings from your router on the next connection, usually within a few seconds. If a website still loads slowly after switching back, clear your browser cache or restart your computer to flush the old DNS cache.

When to Call Your Internet Provider

If you change your DNS server and suddenly cannot reach any websites, switch back to automatic DNS when ready. A bad DNS address or a service outage on the DNS provider's end can cut off all web access. If you are still unable to browse after reverting to automatic, restart your modem and router—unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.

If the problem persists after a restart, contact your internet provider. They can confirm your connection is working and rule out an issue on their end. Do not change DNS again until you have confirmed your basic internet connection works with automatic settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS servers make my internet faster?

It may, depending on your location and internet provider. Some public DNS services like Cloudflare or Google are optimized for speed, but the difference is usually small—a few milliseconds at most. If you notice no improvement after a week, switching back to automatic will not hurt.

Can I use different DNS servers for different networks?

Yes. Each network connection (your home Wi-Fi, work Wi-Fi, or wired Ethernet) has its own DNS settings in Windows. You can set different DNS servers for each one by editing them individually in Settings or Control Panel.

What if I enter the wrong DNS server address?

Your computer will not be able to reach websites because it cannot translate domain names into IP addresses. straightforward switch back to Automatic (DHCP) in Settings or Control Panel, and Windows will use your internet provider's DNS again. The change takes effect when ready.

Do I need to restart Windows after changing DNS?

No. DNS changes take effect right away. However, if a website still shows old content or does not load, restarting your browser or clearing its cache can help clear out stored lookups.

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

Yes, both are legitimate services used by millions of people. They do not slow your connection or introduce security risks. Your internet provider can still see which websites you visit, but the DNS provider itself logs less information than some alternatives.