How to change DNS on Windows

Prerequisites & Requirements

• •A computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11.
• •Administrator access to modify network settings.
• •Basic understanding of network settings.
• •Backup important data to avoid loss during configuration changes.

Method 1: Changing DNS via Network Settings

• •Step 1: Press `Windows + R` to open the Run dialog. Type `ncpa.cpl` and hit Enter to open Network Connections.
• •Step 2: Right-click on your active network connection (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select `Properties`.
• •Step 3: In the Networking tab, select `Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)` and click on `Properties`.
• •Step 4: Choose `Use the following DNS server addresses` and enter your preferred DNS servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS and 8.8.4.4 for the secondary).
• •Step 5: Click `OK` to save changes, then `Close` the properties window.
• •Step 6: To verify, open Command Prompt (search for `cmd` in the Start menu) and type `nslookup google.com`. Check if the DNS server listed matches your new settings.
• •Step 7: If it doesn't work, restart your computer and check your network connection.

For Windows 11

• •Step 1: Click on the Start button and select `Settings` (gear icon).
• •Step 2: Navigate to `Network & internet` and select `Advanced network settings`.
• •Step 3: Under `More settings`, click on `Network and Sharing Center`.
• •Step 4: Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to change DNS settings.

For Windows 10

• •Step 1: Right-click the network icon in the system tray and select `Open Network & Internet settings`.
• •Step 2: Click on `Change adapter options`.
• •Step 3: Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to change DNS settings.

Method 2: Changing DNS via Command Prompt

• •Step 1: Press `Windows + X` and select `Windows Terminal (Admin)` or `Command Prompt (Admin)`.
• •Step 2: To view current DNS settings, type `ipconfig /all` and press Enter.
• •Step 3: To set a new DNS server, type the command: `netsh interface ip set dns name="<Interface Name>" source=static addr=<DNS Server>`, replacing `<Interface Name>` with your network interface name and `<DNS Server>` with your desired DNS server (e.g., 8.8.8.8).
• •Step 4: To add a secondary DNS server, use: `netsh interface ip add dns name="<Interface Name>" addr=<Secondary DNS> index=2`.
• •Step 5: Verify changes by typing `nslookup google.com` in the Command Prompt.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• •Error: `DNS server not responding` - Solution: Check your DNS server addresses for typos and ensure they are reachable.
• •Issue: `Limited or no connectivity` - Fix: Revert to the previous DNS settings or reset your network adapter by running `netsh int ip reset` in Command Prompt.
• •Problem: `Websites not loading` - Workaround: Try flushing the DNS cache by typing `ipconfig /flushdns` in Command Prompt.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

• •Keyboard shortcut: `Windows + R` - Opens the Run dialog for quick access to settings.
• •Command line: `ipconfig /displaydns` - Displays the contents of the DNS resolver cache.
• •Hidden feature: Use `nslookup` to troubleshoot DNS issues by querying specific DNS servers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expert Tips