How to Change DNS on Router for Faster Internet

Your internet works, pages load, everything seems normal. But what you don’t know is that your ISP is feeding you their own DNS, which is usually slower than necessary and in some cases even blocks certain websites. Changing your router’s DNS is one of those free tricks that can make a real difference in your browsing experience. Here’s how to do it without being a networking expert.

Table of contents

What is DNS and why does it matter

DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it basically works as the phonebook of the internet. When you type “google.com” in your browser, DNS translates that readable name into the numeric IP address (142.250.184.14) that servers understand.

Every time you visit a website, your computer asks a DNS server “what’s the IP for this domain?” The speed at which that question is answered directly affects how quickly the page starts loading.

The DNS servers your ISP gives you (Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, etc.) tend to be slow, poorly optimized, and in some cases even track your browsing data for advertising. Switching to a quality public DNS is free and improves your experience.

Heads up: Changing DNS doesn’t increase your download speed. If you have 300 Mbps, you’ll still have 300 Mbps. What improves is the name resolution time (from 50-100ms to 10-20ms), which makes pages start loading sooner.

The difference is especially noticeable when you visit many new websites in a session. If you only use the same 5 sites all day, the change will be imperceptible. If you browse a lot and open many new sites, you’ll feel the improvement.

Best free DNS servers in 2026

There are several public DNS providers, each with different features. These are my recommendations in order of preference.

Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1)

Cloudflare offers the fastest public DNS on the market according to multiple benchmarks. Their servers are globally distributed and respond in under 14ms on average.

Addresses:

• IPv4: 1.1.1.1 (primary) / 1.0.0.1 (secondary)
• IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 / 2606:4700:4700::1001

Benefits: maximum speed, strict privacy policy (logs deleted in 24 hours), and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) support to encrypt your queries.

Google DNS (8.8.8.8)

The most well-known with the largest infrastructure. Google has DNS servers in practically every country. It’s reliable, fast, and has been running since 2009.

Addresses:

• IPv4: 8.8.8.8 (primary) / 8.8.4.4 (secondary)
• IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 / 2001:4860:4860::8844

Benefits: extreme reliability, good speed, and basic protection against DNS attacks.

Quad9 DNS (9.9.9.9)

Quad9 is a nonprofit that automatically blocks malicious domains. If you try to visit a malware or phishing site, Quad9 won’t resolve the address and will protect you.

Addresses:

• IPv4: 9.9.9.9 (primary) / 149.112.112.112 (secondary)
• IPv6: 2620:fe::fe / 2620:fe::9

Benefits: automatic malware filtering, nonprofit, excellent privacy.

How to change DNS on your router step by step

Changing DNS on your router affects ALL devices on your network: phones, computers, smart TVs, consoles. It’s the most efficient way to do it.

General steps

1. Open a browser on a device connected to your network
2. Type your router’s IP in the address bar. The most common are:
   • 192.168.1.1
   • 192.168.0.1
   • 192.168.1.254
3. Log in with your admin username and password (check the sticker on your router if you haven’t changed them)
4. Find the DNS section. It’s usually under:
   • WAN / Internet settings
   • Advanced network settings
   • DHCP
5. Change the DNS addresses to your preferred ones (e.g., 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1)
6. Save changes and wait for the router to restart

Examples for common routers

ISP-provided routers: Settings > Network > WAN > DNS Configuration > Manual > enter IPs.

ASUS: WAN > Connection Setup > DNS Server 1 and 2.

TP-Link: Advanced > Network > DHCP > Primary and Secondary DNS.

Netgear: Advanced > Setup > Internet Setup > Domain Name Server Address > Use These DNS Servers.

Pro tip: If you can’t find the DNS option in your router, your ISP may have locked it. In that case, change DNS directly on each device (I explain how below).

How to change DNS on individual devices

If your ISP blocks DNS changes on the router, or if you only want to change it on a specific device, you can do it at the system level.

On Android

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS
2. Select “Private DNS provider hostname”
3. Type: dns.google (for Google DNS) or one.one.one.one (for Cloudflare)
4. Save

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Go to Settings > WiFi
2. Tap the (i) next to your WiFi network
3. Tap “Configure DNS” > Manual
4. Remove existing DNS and add 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
5. Save

On Windows 10/11

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Change adapter options
2. Right-click your connection > Properties
3. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” > Properties
4. Check “Use the following DNS server addresses”
5. Enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
6. OK

On macOS

1. Go to System Preferences > Network
2. Select your connection > Advanced > DNS
3. Add 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
4. OK > Apply

How to verify the change worked

After changing DNS, verify it was applied correctly.

1. Visit 1.1.1.1/help in your browser (if you used Cloudflare)
2. Or visit dnsleaktest.com and run the quick test
3. It should show you’re using Cloudflare’s DNS (or whichever you chose)

Heads up: After changing DNS, clear your browser’s DNS cache so it uses the new addresses immediately. In Chrome, type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the bar and click “Clear host cache.”

DNS for parental control and family safety

If you have kids or want to protect your family from inappropriate content, there are specific DNS servers that filter content automatically without installing anything:

Cloudflare for Families (1.1.1.2): This DNS blocks malware domains and adult content. You set it up just like regular Cloudflare DNS, but using 1.1.1.2 instead of 1.1.1.1. It’s a free solution that adds a layer of protection without complications.

• IPv4: 1.1.1.2 (primary) / 1.0.0.2 (secondary)
• Blocks: malware + adult content

CleanBrowsing (185.228.168.168): CleanBrowsing offers several filters depending on your protection level. The “Family” filter blocks adult content, VPN proxies, and phishing domains. It’s especially good for home networks with children.

• IPv4: 185.228.168.168 (primary) / 185.228.169.168 (secondary)
• Blocks: adult content + phishing + VPNs

Tip: Configure these DNS directly on the router so they apply to all devices at home. If your kid tries to change DNS on their phone, it won’t matter because the router already filters content.

Keep in mind that DNS-level parental control isn’t bulletproof. A tech-savvy teenager can bypass it using a VPN. For more robust protection, combine DNS parental controls with tools like Google Family Link or Qustodio.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is changing DNS safe?

Yes, if you use trusted public DNS (Cloudflare, Google, Quad9). Don’t use unknown DNS servers. Malicious DNS can redirect you to fake websites.

Can I use different DNS on each device?

Yes. Each device can have its own DNS configured. The router’s DNS is used by default, but if you change it on a device, that takes priority.

Which DNS blocks the most malicious content?

Quad9 (9.9.9.9) automatically blocks known malware and phishing domains. Cloudflare also offers 1.1.1.2 with malware filtering if you prefer.

Does changing DNS affect download speed?

No. It only affects name resolution time (how long it takes to find a website’s IP). Download speed depends on your connection, not your DNS.

Conclusion

How to change DNS on your router for faster internet is a free trick that improves your browsing experience without complications. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is my top recommendation for speed and privacy, and Quad9 9.9.9.9 if you want extra malware protection. Do it today: it takes 5 minutes and the benefits last forever.