# How to configure DNS settings on a router in 2 minutes

Here’s a little secret your Internet Service Provider (ISP) probably hopes you don’t discover: they can see, and often log, every single website you visit.

But there’s a simple, powerful way to reclaim your online privacy, and learning **how to configure DNS settings on a router** is your first and most effective step. Having spent over a decade setting up and securing home networks, I’ve seen firsthand how this simple tweak transforms a standard Internet connection into a more private and efficient one.

This single change can unlock a faster browsing experience, shield your family from malicious websites, and stop your ISP from snooping. This isn’t a trick for tech wizards; it’s a fundamental step for anyone who wants to take their online security seriously.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know.

## What is DNS, and Why Is Changing It Important?

Every time you use the Internet, you’re using DNS, whether you realize it or not. Understanding what it is reveals why taking control of it is such a critical step.

### DNS: The Internet’s Phonebook

The Domain Name System, or DNS, is essentially **the Internet’s phonebook**. It’s a fundamental system that translates human-friendly website names (like `safelyo.com`) into computer-friendly IP addresses (like `104.21.55.123`).

Think about it: you don’t remember the phone number of every person you know; you just look up their name in your contacts. DNS does the same thing for the Internet. By default, the “phonebook” you use is the one provided by your ISP. It works, but it’s often not the best, safest, or most private option.

### The Top 3 Reasons to Switch from Your ISP’s DNS

If your ISP’s DNS is already doing the job, why go through the trouble of changing it? The answer comes down to three key benefits that directly impact your daily Internet use.

1. **Enhanced Privacy**
Your ISP’s DNS servers are a goldmine of *your* data. They can see every domain you request, creating a detailed history of your browsing habits. This information can be used to build a profile on you. Reputable third-party providers, like the ones I’ll recommend, often operate on a strict **no-logs policy**.

2. **Improved Security**
Many public DNS services act as a **first line of defense** against online threats. They maintain blacklists of websites known for phishing, malware, and ransomware. If you accidentally try to visit one of these dangerous sites, the DNS server will simply block the connection, protecting you before the threat even reaches your device.

3. **Faster Speeds and Reliability**
Your ISP’s DNS servers can sometimes be slow and overloaded. This delay, even if it’s just milliseconds, adds up and can make your browsing feel sluggish. Global DNS providers like Cloudflare and Google have massive, optimized networks, meaning your requests are often handled by a server geographically closer to you, reducing latency.

## Choosing the Best Free DNS Server for You

Now for the big question: which DNS server should you actually use? The right choice depends entirely on what you value most: raw speed, iron-clad security, or family-friendly filtering. Over the years, I’ve configured my home network with each of these services.

Here are my recommendations based on that experience.

### For Maximum Speed and Privacy: Cloudflare
My personal choice for my main work-from-home setup is **Cloudflare**. I value speed above all else, and I consistently notice a snappier feel.
* **Primary:** `1.1.1.1`
* **Secondary:** `1.0.0.1`

### For Automatic Security: Quad9
When I set up a network for my less tech-savvy family members, I always install **Quad9**. It’s my “set it and forget it” security solution. Think of Quad9 as a dedicated security guard for your Internet connection.
* **Primary:** `9.9.9.9`
* **Secondary:** `149.112.112.112`

### For Easy Parental Controls: OpenDNS FamilyShield
For any household with young children, I strongly recommend **OpenDNS FamilyShield**. It is the simplest way to create a safer online environment. Once configured on the router, it automatically blocks access to adult websites on *every single device* that connects.
* **Primary:** `208.67.222.123`
* **Secondary:** `208.67.220.123`

## How to Configure DNS Settings on Your Router

While every router’s interface looks a little different, the core process is always the same: find your router’s address, log in, and locate the DNS fields.

### Before You Begin: A Simple Safety Check
Before we dive in, let’s do a quick pre-flight check.
1. **Take a Picture:** Once you find the DNS section in your router, snap a quick photo with your phone of the current settings. This is your "undo" button.
2. **Have Addresses Ready:** Choose your preferred DNS service and write the two IP addresses down.
3. **Consider a Wired Connection (Optional):** If you’re not super confident, plug your computer directly into the router with an Ethernet cable.

### Step-by-Step Configuration

1. **Find Your Router’s IP Address**
This address is the gateway to your router’s control panel. It’s usually printed on a sticker on the bottom or back of your router, labeled “default gateway” or “router IP” (e.g., `192.168.1.1`). If you can't find it, open the command prompt (`cmd` on Windows) and type `` `ipconfig` ``. Look for the “default gateway” address.

2. **Log Into Your Router’s Admin Panel**
Open any web browser and type the router’s IP address you just found into the address bar. This will bring you to a login page. The sticker on your router will almost always have the default *username* (often `admin`) and *password* (often `admin` or `password`).

3. **Locate the DNS Settings**
This is the part that varies. You’re looking for two empty boxes labeled **“Primary DNS”** (or DNS 1) and **“Secondary DNS”** (or DNS 2). These settings are most often found under one of these menu headings:
* `Internet`
* `WAN`
* `LAN`
* `DHCP Server`

## Guides for Popular Router Brands

Here are the exact steps for the four most common router manufacturers. Remember to always hit **"Save"** or **"Apply"** after you’ve entered the new DNS addresses!

### For TP-Link Routers (Archer Series)
1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.
2. Click on the **“Advanced”** tab at the top.
3. On the left-hand menu, go to `Network` > `Internet`.
4. You’ll see a section for DNS. Select the option **“Use the following DNS addresses”**.
5. Enter your chosen DNS addresses into the “Primary DNS” and “Secondary DNS” fields.
6. Click **“Save”** at the bottom.

### For Asus Routers (Asuswrt Interface)
1. Log in to your gateway’s admin panel.
2. In the left-hand navigation menu, under “Advanced Settings,” click on **“WAN”**.
3. Scroll down until you find the **“WAN DNS Setting”** section.
4. In the dropdown menu for “Connect to DNS server automatically,” select **“No”**.
5. This will reveal the “DNS Server1” and “DNS Server2” fields. Enter your new addresses here.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click **“Apply”**.

### For Netgear Routers (Nighthawk Series)
1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.
2. Make sure you are on the **“Basic”** tab.
3. Click on the **“Internet”** menu item on the left.
4. Scroll down to the section titled **“Domain Name Server (DNS) Address”**.
5. Select the radio button for **“Use These DNS Servers”**.
6. Enter your new DNS addresses and click the **“Apply”** button.

### For Linksys Routers (Smart Wi-Fi Interface)
1. Log in to your gateway’s admin panel.
2. On the left-hand menu, click on **“Connectivity”**.
3. Near the top of the main screen, click on the tab labeled **“Local Network”**.
4. Here you will see fields for **“Static DNS 1”** and **“Static DNS 2”**.
5. Enter your primary DNS address into “Static DNS 1” and your secondary address into “Static DNS 2”.
6. Click the **“Apply”** button at the bottom right.

## Verification and Troubleshooting

Great job! But how do you know if it actually worked? We need to clear your computer's memory and run a quick test.

1. **Flushing Your DNS Cache**
* **On Windows:** Open the command prompt (`cmd`). Type `` `ipconfig /flushDNS` `` and press Enter.
* **On macOS:** Open the Terminal app. Copy and paste this exact command: `` `sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSresponder` ``, and press Enter. You’ll need to type your Mac’s password.

2. **How to Test Your New DNS**
Go to the website `DNSLeakTest.com`. The site will immediately show you the IP address and owner of the DNS server you are currently using. If you switched to Cloudflare, it should say “Cloudflare”. If it still shows the name of your ISP, go back and double-check your settings.

If the test shows your new DNS provider, congratulations!

Check the full article: https://safelyo.com/how-to-configure-dns-settings-on-a-router/

#DNS #Router #HomeNetwork #CyberSecurity #Privacy #MillieBobby #Safelyo