DNS (Domain Name System) is an essential Internet service that translates website names such as google.com into IP addresses like 216.58.217.36 (IPV4 address for Google.com) that computers use to communicate with each other. Every time you open a website, stream a video, or use an online application, your device relies on a DNS server to locate and connect to the correct destination.
By default, Windows uses the DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, there are situations where you may want to change your DNS settings. Switching to a public DNS service such as Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or Quad9 can improve DNS lookup speed, increase reliability, enhance privacy, and sometimes resolve website loading or Internet connectivity problems caused by ISP DNS issues.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to check your current DNS server, change DNS settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10 using different methods, choose the best public DNS provider, and flush the DNS cache to ensure the new settings take effect properly.
What Is DNS and How Does It Work?
DNS (Domain Name System) works behind the scenes whenever you visit a website. Its job is to locate the correct IP address for the domain name you enter into a web browser.
For example, when you type google.com into the browser’s address bar and press Enter, your computer first sends a DNS query to a DNS server. The DNS server then looks up the IP address associated with that domain name and returns the result to your device.
Once the IP address is found, your browser uses it to connect to the website’s server and load the requested webpage. This entire process, known as DNS resolution, typically takes only a fraction of a second and happens automatically without any user interaction.
Without DNS, you would need to remember and enter the IP address of every website instead of using easy-to-remember domain names.
Why Change DNS Settings in Windows?
By default, Windows automatically uses the DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). While these DNS servers are usually reliable, they may not always offer the best performance, privacy, or security.
Many users choose to switch to public DNS services such as Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or Quad9 to improve DNS lookup speed, increase reliability, enhance online privacy, or protect against malicious websites. Changing DNS settings can also help resolve website loading problems caused by DNS-related issues.
Before changing your DNS settings, you may want to check which DNS server your computer is currently using.
How to Check Your Current DNS Server
Before changing DNS settings, it’s a good idea to check which DNS server your computer is currently using. Windows allows you to view this information using the Command Prompt.
Check DNS Server Using Command Prompt
- Press Windows key + S and type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /all
- Review the network adapter that is currently connected to the Internet.
- Locate the DNS Servers entry to see the primary and secondary DNS server addresses currently configured on your PC.
If Windows is set to obtain DNS settings automatically, the addresses shown will typically belong to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you previously configured a custom DNS service such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS, those addresses will be displayed instead.
Method 1: Change DNS Settings Using Windows Settings
Windows 11 includes a built-in option to manually configure DNS servers through the Settings app. This is the easiest method for most users and lets you switch to a public DNS service such as Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or Quad9 without additional tools.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Click Network & Internet from the left pane.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your active network connection.
- Click Hardware properties.
- Locate DNS server assignment and click Edit.
- Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4.
- Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. For example:
- Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
- Click Save to apply the changes.
Windows will immediately begin using the new DNS servers for domain name resolution. If websites fail to load after changing DNS settings, try flushing the DNS cache or restarting your network connection.
Method 2: Change DNS Settings Through Network Connections
You can also manually configure DNS servers through the Network Connections window. This method works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 and provides direct access to your network adapter settings.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type ncpa.cpl and click OK.
- Right-click your active network adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter the DNS server addresses you want to use.
Example:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
- Click OK and then Close to save the changes.
If you want Windows to automatically obtain DNS settings from your router or ISP again, return to the same window and select Obtain DNS server address automatically.
Best Free Public DNS Servers
If you’re unsure which DNS server to use, several trusted public DNS providers offer free services that can improve reliability, privacy, security, or browsing performance compared to the default DNS servers supplied by your ISP.
| DNS Provider | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Google DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare DNS | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
| OpenDNS Home | 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220 |
| CleanBrowsing | 185.228.168.9 | 185.228.169.9 |
| AdGuard DNS | 94.140.14.14 | 94.140.15.15 |
Which DNS Server Should You Choose?
- Google DNS – A popular choice known for reliability and global availability.
- Cloudflare DNS – Focuses on speed and privacy with fast DNS resolution.
- Quad9 – Includes security filtering that helps block access to known malicious domains.
- OpenDNS Home – Offers additional security features and optional content filtering.
- CleanBrowsing – Designed for family-friendly browsing and parental controls.
- AdGuard DNS – Helps block ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the DNS level.
For most home users, Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8) are excellent choices because they are easy to set up, widely trusted, and offer reliable performance.
How to Flush DNS Cache After Changing DNS
Windows stores recently resolved domain names in a local DNS cache to help websites load faster. After changing your DNS server, clearing this cache ensures that Windows requests fresh DNS information from the new DNS provider instead of using outdated records.
Flush the DNS Cache
- Press Windows key + S and type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Run the following command:
ipconfig /flushdns
- You should see the message:
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
Renew Your Network Connection (Optional)
If websites still fail to load after changing DNS settings, run the following commands one at a time:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
Once the commands are complete, restart your computer and test your Internet connection again. Windows will then use the newly configured DNS servers when resolving website addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Changing DNS settings is generally safe and does not affect your files, applications, or Windows installation. However, it’s recommended to use trusted DNS providers such as Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, Quad9, or OpenDNS.
Changing DNS does not increase your Internet speed or bandwidth. However, a faster DNS server can reduce the time required to resolve domain names, which may help websites start loading more quickly.
The fastest DNS server depends on your location and network conditions. Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) and Google DNS (8.8.8.8) are among the most popular choices due to their performance and reliability.
Yes. Some DNS providers, such as Quad9 and AdGuard DNS, can block known malicious websites, phishing domains, and malware-related connections, providing an additional layer of protection.
Open your network adapter properties, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), click Properties, and choose Obtain DNS server address automatically. Click OK to save the changes.
This can occur if the DNS server address was entered incorrectly or the DNS provider is temporarily unavailable. Try flushing the DNS cache, restarting your network connection, or switching back to automatic DNS settings.
Both are excellent options. Google DNS is known for reliability and global coverage, while Cloudflare DNS focuses on speed and privacy. Most users will have a good experience with either service.
