How to Change DNS Settings in Windows 11

Where to Find DNS Settings in Windows 11

DNS settings in Windows 11 live in the network adapter properties, not in a single "DNS" menu. You reach them through Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > More Network Adapter Options. From there, you right-click your active network connection and select Properties, then find the Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) section. This is where you tell Windows which DNS server to use instead of the default one your internet provider assigned.

The path is the same whether you use Wi-Fi or Ethernet, though the adapter name will differ. If you have both connections active, you only need to change the one you actually use to connect to the internet. Windows will explore the new DNS server the next time you send a request to the web.

Key Takeaways

DNS settings are found in Network Adapter Properties under IPv4 settings, not in a dedicated DNS control panel.
You can use your internet provider's DNS, a public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), or a custom DNS from another source.
Changing DNS takes effect when ready for new connections but does not affect pages already loaded in your browser.
If a DNS change causes problems, you can revert to automatic settings or switch to a different DNS server within minutes.
Some routers also have DNS settings that override Windows settings, so check your router if a DNS change does not work.

Step-by-Step: Changing DNS via Settings

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Navigate to Network & Internet on the left sidebar, then select Advanced Network Settings. Scroll down and click More Network Adapter Options — this opens the old-style Network Connections window. Right-click the network adapter you use (usually called "Ethernet" or your Wi-Fi network name) and select Properties.

In the Properties window, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the list and double-click it. A small dialog opens with two sections: one for IP address and one for DNS servers. If "Obtain DNS server address automatically" is checked, uncheck it. Two text fields will appear below it labeled "Preferred DNS server" and "Alternate DNS server." Enter your chosen DNS addresses in these fields — for example, 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS or 1.1.1.1 for Cloudflare. Click OK, then OK again to close the Properties window.

Windows applies the change when ready. You do not need to restart your computer or reconnect to the network. Open a web browser and visit a website to confirm the new DNS is working.

Using Public DNS Servers

A public DNS server is a free service run by a company or nonprofit that translates web addresses into IP numbers for anyone who asks. Your internet provider normally does this, but you can switch to a different one. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) are the most common choices. Both are fast, reliable, and do not require any account or payment.

Some people switch DNS servers to block ads or malware at the DNS level, using services like Quad9 (9.9.9.9) or OpenDNS. Others switch because their internet provider's DNS is slow. The process is identical regardless of which server you choose — only the numbers you enter change. If you want to use a service that blocks content, check its documentation for the correct server addresses to enter.

Reverting to Automatic DNS

If a DNS change causes problems — such as websites not loading or loading very slowly — you can switch back to automatic settings in under a minute. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > More Network Adapter Options again. Right-click your network adapter and select Properties, then double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Check the box labeled "Obtain DNS server address automatically" and click OK twice. Windows will revert to using your internet provider's DNS server. The change takes effect when ready. If the problem persists after reverting, the issue is likely not DNS — it may be your internet connection itself or a problem with the website you are trying to reach.

Checking Your Current DNS Server

To see which DNS server Windows is actually using, open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Scroll through the output until you find your active network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Look for the line labeled "DNS Servers" — the addresses listed there are the ones Windows is currently using.

If you changed DNS in Settings but the Command Prompt still shows the old addresses, the change may not have taken effect yet. Wait a few seconds and run the command again. If it still shows the old addresses after a minute, check that you saved your changes correctly in the IPv4 Properties dialog, or restart your computer.

DNS Settings in Your Router

Your router also has DNS settings, and they can override the ones you set in Windows. If you change DNS in Windows but websites still do not load correctly, log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser) and check its DNS settings. Some routers are set to use their own DNS or your internet provider's DNS, which means Windows settings are ignored.

If you want to change DNS for all devices on your network at once, change it in the router instead of in Windows. If you want to change it only for one computer, change it in Windows and make sure your router is set to "use ISP DNS" or "automatic" so it does not override your choice. Check your router's manual or support page for the exact steps, as the menu location varies by manufacturer.

Common Problems and Fixes

If websites load slowly after changing DNS, the server you chose may be overloaded or far from your location. Try a different public DNS — Cloudflare is often faster than Google DNS in North America, but results vary by region. If you see "DNS server not responding" errors, double-check that you typed the addresses correctly. A single wrong digit will cause the server to be unreachable.

If some websites work but others do not, the problem may be DNS filtering. Some public DNS services (like Quad9 or OpenDNS) block certain categories of websites by default. If you need to reach a blocked site, either switch to a different DNS server or check the service's website for instructions on how to disable filtering. If you changed DNS and then your internet stopped working entirely, revert to automatic DNS when ready — a misconfigured DNS server can break all web access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart Windows after changing DNS?

No. DNS changes take effect when ready for new web requests. You do not need to restart your computer or reconnect to your network. If you are already browsing the web, close and reopen your browser to may support it uses the new DNS server.

Will changing DNS affect my internet speed?

It may, in either direction. A faster DNS server can make websites load slightly quicker because the address lookup happens faster. A slower or distant DNS server can make things slightly slower. The difference is usually small — under 100 milliseconds — but some people notice it. If speed gets worse, try a different public DNS or revert to your provider's DNS.

Can I use different DNS servers for different websites?

No. Windows uses the same DNS server for all web requests. You can only set one preferred server and one alternate. If you need different DNS behavior for different sites, you would need to use a VPN or proxy service instead, which is beyond what Windows DNS settings can do.

What if I forget which DNS server I set?

Run ipconfig /all in Command Prompt and look for the "DNS Servers" line under your active network adapter. It will show the addresses currently in use. You can also return to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties to see what you entered in the text fields.

Is it safe to use public DNS servers?

Yes. Google, Cloudflare, and Quad9 are all legitimate, widely used services. They do not require any account or payment. The main trade-off is privacy — your DNS queries are sent to that company's servers instead of your internet provider's, so they see which websites you visit. If privacy is a concern, research the privacy policy of any DNS service before using it.

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.