Change the DNS Server on Your Router (Google, Cloudflare, Quad9)
Change the DNS servers in your router to Google, Cloudflare or Quad9 addresses, and what to do when your ISP router will not allow it.
DNS turns website names into addresses. By default your router uses your ISP’s DNS servers. You can replace them in the router’s internet or WAN settings so every device on the network uses another service.
Steps
- Log in to your router. Use the router IP finder if you do not know the address.
- Open Internet, WAN or DHCP settings. Look for DNS Server, Primary DNS and Secondary DNS.
- Write down the current addresses so you can go back.
- Type the new addresses from the table below, one in each box.
- Save and restart the router if it asks you to.
- Test by opening a website on a device. If a page will not load, put the old addresses back.
Public DNS addresses from each provider
| Provider | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 | 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844 |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 |
| Quad9 (malware blocking, DNSSEC) | 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112 | 2620:fe::fe and 2620:fe::9 |
Addresses are from each provider’s own documentation. Pick one provider and enter its two addresses.
If it does not work
- The router has no DNS setting
- Some ISP routers hide it. Google notes that some ISPs hard-code their DNS servers into their equipment. In that case set the DNS on each device instead, or use your own router behind the ISP box (see own router behind an ISP router).
- Some sites stopped working
- Put the old addresses back. A provider that blocks malware or ads can also block a site you use.
- Devices still use the old DNS
- Restart them or renew their connection. Devices that have their own DNS set, or use encrypted DNS in the browser, ignore the router’s setting.
Questions people ask about Change router DNS
- Will changing DNS make my internet faster?
- It can change how quickly names are looked up. It does not raise your connection speed.
- Is changing DNS safe?
- The router and devices work the same. You are choosing which company answers your name lookups, so read that provider’s privacy policy.
Related pages
- Find your router IP
- Login not working
- Forgot password and reset
- Change Wi-Fi password
- Default IP list
- Security checklist