Where to Find DNS Settings on Windows
Your DNS settings live in the network adapter section of Windows, not in a single "DNS" menu. The fastest route is through Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi (or Ethernet, depending on your connection type), then selecting your active network and scrolling to DNS server settings. On older Windows versions, you'll go through Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center instead.
If you're using WiFi, click the network name you're currently connected to, then "Properties" or "Edit." If you're using a wired Ethernet connection, the path is similar but labeled "Ethernet" instead of "WiFi." Either way, you're looking for a section that says "DNS servers" or "IP settings."
Key Takeaways
- DNS settings on Windows are found in Settings > Network & Internet, under your active connection type (WiFi or Ethernet).
- You can enter two DNS server addresses: a primary and a secondary, in case the first one is unreachable.
- Common public DNS services include Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).
- After you change your DNS, your computer may take a few minutes to recognize the change, and you may need to restart your browser.
- If websites stop loading after a DNS change, you can revert to automatic DNS by selecting "Automatic" in the same menu.
Step-by-Step: Changing DNS on Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start menu and type "Settings." Once Settings opens, select "Network & Internet" from the left sidebar. Click on "WiFi" if you're on wireless, or "Ethernet" if you're wired. Then click the name of the network you're currently using.
Scroll down until you see "DNS server assignment" or "IP settings." Click "Edit" next to it. A dropdown menu will appear—select "Manual" to turn off automatic DNS. Toggle the IPv4 switch to "On" if it isn't already. You'll now see two empty fields: one for a primary DNS server and one for a secondary DNS server.
Enter your primary DNS address in the first field. For example, if you're using Google's public DNS, type 8.8.8.8. In the second field, enter the secondary address—Google's secondary is 8.8.4.4. Click "Save" at the bottom. Your computer will explore the change when ready, though it may take a minute or two to take full effect.
Step-by-Step: Changing DNS on Windows 10
Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then click "Network & Internet." Select "WiFi" or "Ethernet" depending on your connection. Click your active network name, then scroll down and click "Edit" next to "DNS servers."
A window will pop up. Click the dropdown that currently says "Automatic" and select "Manual." Toggle IPv4 to "On." Enter your primary DNS server address in the first field and your secondary address in the second field. Click "Save" when you're done.
Common DNS Addresses to Use
You don't have to use your internet provider's DNS—you can switch to a public DNS service. The most common choices are Google Public DNS and Cloudflare DNS, both of which are free and widely used.
| Service | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare DNS | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 DNS | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
Always enter both a primary and a secondary address. If your primary DNS server goes down or becomes unreachable, Windows will automatically try the secondary one. This keeps you from losing internet access if one server has a problem.
What to Do If Websites Stop Loading After Changing DNS
If you change your DNS and suddenly can't reach websites, the new DNS address may be incorrect or unreachable. The fastest fix is to revert to automatic DNS. Go back to Settings > Network & Internet > your connection type > your network name, click "Edit," and change the dropdown from "Manual" back to "Automatic." Click "Save."
Your computer will return to using your internet provider's DNS servers within a minute. If websites load again, the DNS address you entered was the problem. Double-check the address you copied—even a single digit wrong will prevent it from working. If you're still having trouble after reverting to automatic, restart your computer and your router.
Why You Might Change Your DNS
Your internet provider assigns you a default DNS server, but you're not required to use it. Some people switch to a public DNS service because it's faster, more reliable, or offers extra features like blocking malicious websites. Others change DNS to troubleshoot connection problems or to use a DNS service that respects privacy.
Changing DNS does not affect your internet speed directly—it only affects how quickly your computer translates website names (like google.com) into the IP addresses it needs to connect. In practice, the difference is usually too small to notice. The main reason to switch is if your provider's DNS is slow or unreliable, or if you want the extra features a public service offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing DNS affect my internet speed?
Not noticeably. DNS translation happens in milliseconds, and the difference between one service and another is usually less than 50 milliseconds—too small to feel. If you're switching because your current DNS is slow, you may see a small improvement, but speed depends far more on your internet connection itself than on DNS.
Can I use different DNS servers for different networks?
Yes. Each network (your home WiFi, your work WiFi, a coffee shop network) has its own DNS settings in Windows. You can set one network to use Google DNS and another to use Cloudflare DNS. Just go to each network's settings separately and enter the addresses you want.
What happens if I enter the wrong DNS address?
Websites will stop loading, because your computer won't be able to translate website names into IP addresses. straightforward go back to Settings, change the dropdown back to "Automatic," and click Save. Your computer will revert to your provider's DNS within a minute, and websites will load again.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing DNS?
No. Windows applies DNS changes when ready. However, your browser may need a moment to recognize the change, and you may need to close and reopen your browser or clear its cache if it's still trying to use the old DNS. Restarting is not necessary unless websites still won't load after waiting a minute.
Is it safe to use public DNS services?
Yes. Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, and Quad9 are all legitimate, widely used services run by established companies. They don't require any software installation—you just enter the address in your network settings. Be cautious of unfamiliar DNS services you find online, but the major public services are safe and reliable.