How to Change DNS Server

DNS servers are very important in providing a stable internet access. Recently, we covered some of the best DNS servers for the fastest possible internet connection. We mentioned the most popular Google DNS as well as some other Public DNS addresses. But how would you change the DNS server on your PC or whatever device you own? If you don’t have the answer, this article is for you.

It is extremely easy to switch the DNS address to whatever you like. Before continuing, we recommend reading our article on the top DNS servers (mentioned above), which might be useful for selecting the best option for you.

The steps in changing DNS will vary from platform to platform. We have sectioned them under certain headlines to make the task easier. Carefully follow these instructions based on the version of the operating system and the device model.

For some routers and ISPs, you may need some additional configurations in order to completely migrate to a new DNS server. If the below steps doesn’t affect your internet speed at all, make sure that your router or ISP has no limitations. You can check your internet speed to confirm.

What is DNS?

DNS or Domain Name System is a mechanism to translate the human-readable domain names to a format computers understand, normally referred to as the IP address. Each connected device on the internet should be identified by a unique IP address to make the communication between them possible. Without a proper identity, computers or the internet cannot determine where to send data and which data to accept. DNS solves this issue.

Reasons to change DNS

There are several reasons for changing your DNS. Whether it is recommended by your ISP, or your own decision, these are some of the valid reasons for changing your DNS server to something better –

• Speed up your internet connection.
• Meet specific criteria set by your ISP for the best possible connection speed and reliability.
• To experiment with different DNS servers for your needs.
• Block bad content using the DNS filters.
• Protect your connection with a secure DNS.
• Access blocked content in your area.

How to change DNS server on Windows?

Changing the DNS servers on Windows OS is very easy. While the Windows 10, 8, and 7 DNS server configuration has almost the same steps, all other versions of Windows have a little difference from that of this. Have a look.

How to change DNS on Windows 10, 8, or 7?

This will show you the Windows 10 DNS server configuration as well as the DNS settings in Windows 8, 8.1 and 7. The steps are almost similar in all these Windows versions. So no need to mention them separately. So, here are the steps to change DNS server on Windows 10, 8, or 7.

1. Open the Windows 10/8 Control Panel (either from a desktop icon or by typing “Control Panel” in the search box.
   
2. Click on Network and Internet option among the listed items in Control Panel.
   
3. Click on Network and Sharing Center option.
   
4. In that screen which opens, click on the Change adapter settings link, located in the left panel of the screen.
   
5. Now, a new ‘Network Connections’ window where all your internet connections listed will open up.
6. Just right-click on the active connection and choose Properties.
   
7. In the Properties window that opened up, under ‘This connection uses the following items:’ option, scroll down and click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to select it.
   
8. Then, click the Properties button at the bottom.
9. If the DNS boxed are not active, choose the radio button tagged Use the following DNS server addresses:. If it is active, nothing to worry.
10. Now, it is the time to enter the IP address for a Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server. You should read our previous article on the DNS server list to know the best DNS services and their IP addresses. So, have a look at it and enter them in the appropriate boxes. You can also consider using the 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 which are the most popular primary and secondary DNS servers provided by Google.
11. After changing the DNS server, click the OK button. You can make sure that the new settings work properly by checking the Validate settings upon exit check box.
    
12. Close all open windows and start testing your DNS address by browsing the internet again.

If your DNS server not responding in Windows 10 or has any other issues with the Windows 7 DNS settings, just switch between different DNS addresses. There are hundreds of different DNS providers available to choose from. So, wisely select the fastest DNS based on your location and the internet service provider.

How to change DNS on Windows Vista?

Switching DNS in Windows Vista is a little different from that of the other versions. But that too very similar to the previous steps. However, here are the steps to change DNS on Windows Vista.

1. Click the Start
2. Click on Control Panel.
3. Click on View network status and tasks option in the Control Panel.
4. Click on View status.
5. Now, the network status window will open up. Click the Properties button.
6. If the action is prompted, just click the Continue button.
7. In the new window that opened up, scroll down and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click the Properties button at the bottom.
8. Like we have done in the previous section, make Use the following DNS server addresses: option active and enter the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server.
9. One you are done, click the OK button and close all active windows. Be sure to check the DNS change.

How to change DNS on Windows XP?

Moving to another DNS server on XP is also a little different from other Windows versions. To change DNS server on Windows XP –

If you are using a Dial-up Connection

1. Go to My Computer > Dialup Networking
2. Right-click your internet connection and select Properties.
3. In the window which opens, navigate to the Server Types tab.
4. Now, click on TCP/IP Settings.
5. Change the DNS as per your requirements.

All others

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Click on Network Connections.
3. Select your local network and click Properties.
4. Now, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
5. Click Properties and tweak your DNS address.

How to change DNS server on Mac?

If you have a question on how to change DNS Mac, here are the steps. Carefully follow them in order to successfully change the DNS server on any of the Apple products like MacBook and iMac which runs Mac OSX.

1. In the Apple menu, select System Preferences option.
2. Click on Network option.
3. The Network settings window will show up.
4. Select your active connection which you want to change the DNS from the left-hand navigation bar and click Advanced button.
   
5. Go to the DNS tab.
6. Under DNS Servers column, remove existing DNS addresses using the minus (-) button at the bottom of the column.
   
7. Now, add new DNS using the plus (+) button.
8. Finally, click OK.

How to change DNS server on Linux?

If you are using the Linux OS or any other Linux distributions like Ubuntu, you can change the DNS settings by following these steps.

1. Navigate to System > Preferences > Network Connections.
2. Select the connection to configure the DNS settings. For example, if you are using a wired connection, select it and choose your connection. Same for the Wireless connection too. You will have to change the settings for each active connection (Only if you are using them.)
   
3. Click Edit.
4. In the next screen, select the IPv4 Settings or IPv6 Settings tab as per your requirements.
5. Select Automatic (DHCP) addresses only from the dropdown. If you don’t know what you are doing, do not change it to anything else.
   
6. Enter the DNS addresses in the DNS servers field.
7. Click Save and confirm the action if prompted.

How to change DNS on Android?

Number of the Android users is increasing day by day. So, it is not a device to ignore anymore. These are the steps to change DNS on Android.

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
   
2. Open the Network Options by long pressing on the Wifi connection or by taping the arrow next to the connection. Then, tap on the Modify Network option (If shown.)
   
3. Scroll down and tap on the IP Settings. In some devices, you may have to tap on Advanced, and then you’ll see the IP Settings button.
   
4. In the IP settings, change this to Static and Change DNS1 and DNS2 to any preferred DNS IPs.
   

Now, that’s how to change DNS server on Android.

You will not be able to change the DNS settings for the mobile data connections on your Android unless it is rooted. Read the reasons to root your Android smartphone to know more.

How to change DNS server on iOS?

Ever wondered how to change DNS on iPhone or any other iOS devices? If so, here are the steps to configure DNS servers in iOS.

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Make sure to turn on Wi-Fi if it is turned off.
   
2. Tap on the blue “i” icon next to the connection which you want to change the DNS.
   
3. It will open the screen where you can enter the DNS.
   
4. Enter the DNS addresses as per your requirements, and that’s it.
5. You have successfully changed the DNS in iOS.

Changing the DNS was not that difficult. Was it? If you are facing a slow internet connection problem, moving to a reliable, fast DNS can do wonders. So, make changes to your DNS servers today itself.

After changing DNS server

After you change the DNS server, you might come across some common DNS related errors such as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET, DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG, etc. We have articles to fix any of those errors. So, check them out to get rid of those.