How to Change Your DNS Settings in Windows 11

Where to Find DNS Settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 stores DNS settings in the network adapter configuration, accessible through Settings rather than the old Control Panel. You reach it by opening Settings, selecting Network & internet, then Advanced network options, then More network adapter options. From there, right-click the network connection you use (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties. This opens a window showing all the network details for that connection, including the DNS servers your computer currently uses.

The DNS servers listed are what your computer contacts when you type a web address into your browser. By default, Windows 11 uses the DNS servers your internet provider assigned, but you can change them to use a different service — such as Google's public DNS, Cloudflare's DNS, or your router's built-in DNS. The change takes effect when ready after you save it.

Key Takeaways

DNS settings in Windows 11 live under Network & internet > Advanced network options > More network adapter options, then in your connection's Properties.
You can set DNS manually by selecting Edit next to the DNS server entry and typing in the new addresses — most services provide two addresses, a primary and a secondary.
Windows 11 can also obtain DNS automatically from your router or DHCP server if you leave the setting on automatic.
After you change DNS, your computer uses the new servers when ready, but cached web addresses may take a few minutes to refresh.
If you change DNS and websites stop loading, you can revert to automatic DNS or your provider's original addresses to restore access.

Step-by-Step: Changing DNS Through Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Network & internet on the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Advanced network options. You will see a section labeled Related settings — click More network adapter options. This opens a separate window showing all your network connections.

Find the connection you want to change — if you use Wi-Fi, look for the Wi-Fi adapter; if you use a cable, look for Ethernet. Right-click it and select Properties. A new window opens. Look for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the list, click it once to select it, then click Properties below the list. This is where you set the DNS servers.

In the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, you will see two radio button options at the top: Obtain an IP address automatically and Use the following IP address. Below those are two more options for DNS: Obtain DNS server address automatically and Use the following DNS server addresses. Click the second radio button under DNS to enable manual entry. Type the primary DNS address in the first field and the secondary DNS address in the second field, then click OK.

Common DNS Addresses to Use

If you want to switch to a public DNS service, you will need the addresses that service provides. Google Public DNS uses 8.8.8.8 as the primary address and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary. Cloudflare DNS uses 1.1.1.1 as the primary and 1.0.0.1 as the secondary. OpenDNS uses 208.67.222.222 as the primary and 208.67.220.220 as the secondary. Each service maintains these addresses consistently, so you can write them down or copy them into the fields without worrying they will change.

Your internet service provider also has DNS servers you can use — you can find these by calling their support line or checking your account page online. Some people prefer their ISP's DNS because it may be faster on their local network, while others prefer public DNS services because they offer features like blocking malicious sites or filtering adult content. There is no single "best" choice — it depends on what matters to you.

Changing DNS for IPv6 Connections

If your network uses IPv6 (a newer internet protocol), you may also see Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in the adapter properties list. The process is identical: click it, select Properties, then click the radio button for Use the following DNS server addresses under the IPv6 section. IPv6 DNS addresses are longer — for example, Google's IPv6 DNS is 2001:4860:4860::8888 for the primary and 2001:4860:4860::8844 for the secondary.

Most home networks still use only IPv4, so you may not need to change IPv6 settings. However, if you change IPv4 DNS and some websites still do not load, check whether IPv6 is enabled and set it to automatic or to the same DNS service you chose for IPv4. Mixing DNS services between IPv4 and IPv6 rarely causes problems, but keeping them consistent is simpler.

What to Do If Websites Stop Loading After Changing DNS

If you change DNS and then find that websites will not load, the new DNS service may be down, unreachable from your location, or blocked by your router. The fastest fix is to revert to automatic DNS: go back to the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, click the radio button for Obtain DNS server address automatically, click OK, and restart your browser. This restores your connection to your ISP's DNS servers within seconds.

If automatic DNS also does not work, the problem may be with your internet connection itself rather than DNS. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If websites still do not load after the router restarts, contact your internet provider to confirm your connection is active. Once your connection works again, you can try a different DNS service or return to automatic DNS.

Flushing Your DNS Cache After a Change

When you change DNS servers, your computer may still have old web address information cached from the previous DNS service. This usually clears automatically within a few minutes, but you can force it to clear when ready by flushing the DNS cache. Press the Windows key, type "command prompt," right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Type the command ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You will see a message confirming the cache was flushed.

After flushing the cache, open your browser and try visiting a website. The browser will contact your new DNS servers to look up the web address, and you should see the site load. If it does not, wait another minute or two — some DNS changes take a moment to propagate through your network.

Changing DNS at the Router Level Instead

Instead of changing DNS on each computer, you can change it once on your router, and every device connected to that router will use the new DNS servers automatically. Log into your router by opening a browser, typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar, and entering your router's username and password. Look for a section labeled DNS, DHCP, or Network Settings, then enter the DNS addresses you want to use.

Changing DNS at the router level is often simpler if you have multiple computers or devices at home, because you only have to enter the addresses once. However, if you want different DNS settings on different devices, you will need to change them individually on each computer using the Windows 11 method described above. Router DNS changes also take effect when ready, though devices may need a minute or two to request new DNS information from the router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS make my internet faster?

DNS speed affects only how quickly your computer looks up a web address — it does not change how fast data travels once the site loads. Some DNS services are faster than others depending on your location, but the difference is usually under 100 milliseconds. If you want to test whether a different DNS is faster, change to it, flush your cache, and time how long it takes to load a few websites, then compare to your previous DNS service.

Can I use different DNS servers for different websites?

No. Your computer uses the same DNS servers for all websites unless you configure special rules in your router or use a VPN. If you want certain websites to use different DNS, you would need to set up DNS filtering or routing rules, which requires access to your router's advanced settings or a third-party DNS service that offers that feature.

What happens if I enter a DNS address incorrectly?

If you type a DNS address wrong, your computer will not be able to reach that server, and websites will not load. You will see an error message in your browser saying the site cannot be found. straightforward go back to the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, correct the address, and click OK. Your connection will restore once you save the corrected address.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing DNS?

No. DNS changes take effect when ready after you click OK in the Properties window. You do not need to restart your computer or your router, though restarting your browser ensures it uses the new DNS servers for the next website you visit.

Can I set DNS back to automatic if I change my mind?

Yes. Go back to the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, click the radio button for Obtain DNS server address automatically, and click OK. Your computer will return to using your ISP's DNS servers or your router's DNS settings within seconds.

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.