Changing DNS settings in Windows 10 is a simple way to improve how your computer finds websites and online services. DNS, short for Domain Name System, works like the internet’s address book: it translates names such as example.com into the numerical IP addresses computers use to communicate. Most people use the DNS servers provided automatically by their internet provider, but switching to a trusted alternative can sometimes improve speed, privacy, reliability, or access to filtering features.
TLDR: To change DNS settings in Windows 10, open your network adapter settings, select your active connection, and edit the IPv4 DNS server addresses. You can use popular DNS services such as Google DNS, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS. After saving the changes, you may want to flush the DNS cache and test your internet connection. The process is reversible, so you can always return to automatic DNS settings later.
Why Change DNS Settings?
Your DNS server affects how quickly your computer can locate websites, but speed is not the only reason to change it. Some third-party DNS providers offer stronger privacy policies, malware blocking, parental controls, or improved reliability compared with a default internet service provider DNS.
Changing DNS can help if you experience problems such as:
- Websites taking too long to begin loading
- Frequent “DNS server not responding” errors
- Unreliable browsing on one network but not another
- A desire to use DNS filtering for security or family protection
It is important to understand that changing DNS will not magically increase your overall internet bandwidth. If your download speed is limited by your internet plan, DNS will not change that. However, it may make browsing feel snappier because website lookups can complete faster.
Popular DNS Server Options
Before changing anything, choose the DNS provider you want to use. Here are a few widely used options:
- Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
- Quad9: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
Cloudflare is often chosen for speed and privacy, Google DNS is known for reliability, OpenDNS offers filtering features, and Quad9 focuses on blocking known malicious domains. Any of these can work well for everyday browsing.
Step-by-Step: Change DNS Settings in Windows 10
Follow these steps carefully. You do not need advanced technical knowledge, but you should make sure you are changing the settings for the connection you actually use, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
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Open Settings.
Click the Start button, then select the gear icon to open Windows Settings. You can also press Windows + I on your keyboard.
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Go to Network & Internet.
In the Settings window, select Network & Internet. This section contains your Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, and adapter options.
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Open adapter options.
On the Status page, scroll down and click Change adapter options. This opens the classic Network Connections window, where Windows lists your available network adapters.
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Select your active connection.
If you use wireless internet, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter. If you use a cable, right-click Ethernet. Choose Properties from the menu.
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Open IPv4 settings.
In the list of items, click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click the Properties button. Be careful not to uncheck the box; simply select the line and open its properties.
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Enter new DNS server addresses.
In the lower part of the window, select Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter your preferred DNS server in the first box and the alternate DNS server in the second box. For example, for Cloudflare, enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
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Save your changes.
Click OK, then close the remaining windows. Windows should begin using the new DNS settings immediately, although some cached results may remain temporarily.
Optional: Change IPv6 DNS Too
Many networks still rely heavily on IPv4, but IPv6 is increasingly common. If your internet connection uses IPv6, you can also change DNS settings for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in the same adapter properties window.
For example, Cloudflare’s IPv6 DNS servers are:
- 2606:4700:4700::1111
- 2606:4700:4700::1001
Google’s IPv6 DNS servers are:
- 2001:4860:4860::8888
- 2001:4860:4860::8844
If you are unsure whether your network uses IPv6, changing only IPv4 DNS is usually enough for most home users. However, setting both can make your configuration more complete.
Flush the DNS Cache
Windows stores DNS results temporarily so websites can load faster the next time you visit them. After changing DNS servers, it is a good idea to clear this cache so your computer starts fresh.
To flush the DNS cache:
- Click Start and type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
You should see a message saying the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed. This does not delete personal files or browser history; it simply clears stored DNS lookup information.
How to Test Your New DNS Settings
After saving your settings, open a browser and visit a few websites. If pages load normally, the new DNS configuration is working. You can also restart your browser or reboot your computer if something seems delayed.
For a more technical check, open Command Prompt and type:
nslookup example.com
The result should show which DNS server responded to the query. If the address matches the DNS service you entered, your change is active.
How to Revert to Automatic DNS
If the new DNS service causes problems, you can easily switch back. Return to the same Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) properties window and select Obtain DNS server address automatically. Click OK and close the windows. Windows will again use the DNS settings provided by your router or internet service provider.
This is useful when troubleshooting, especially on workplace, school, hotel, or public networks that may require specific DNS behavior to connect properly.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
- No internet after changing DNS: Check that the DNS addresses were typed correctly. A single wrong number can break lookups.
- Some websites still do not load: Flush the DNS cache, restart your browser, or reboot the computer.
- Settings keep changing back: Security software, VPN apps, or company network policies may be controlling DNS settings.
- Only one device is affected: Change DNS on the router if you want all devices on your network to use the same DNS provider.
Final Thoughts
Changing DNS settings in Windows 10 is one of those small adjustments that can make your internet experience feel cleaner, faster, or more secure. The process takes only a few minutes, and because the setting is easy to reverse, it is a low-risk troubleshooting step. Whether you choose Cloudflare, Google, OpenDNS, Quad9, or another trusted provider, make sure you use accurate addresses and test your connection afterward. With the right DNS setup, Windows 10 can resolve websites more efficiently and give you greater control over how your computer connects to the web.