How to change DNS in Windows 11 to improve your internet connection

Changing the DNS resolver can help diagnose name-resolution failures or reduce lookup latency, but it does not increase your connection's bandwidth or guarantee faster websites. Windows normally receives resolver settings from the network, which may point to a router, an ISP, an organization or a VPN. Before replacing them, record the current settings and consider any work-network, local-device or filtering requirements.

Where do I find DNS settings in Windows 11?

You can access DNS settings in Windows 11 through the Settings app or the classic Control Panel, depending on your preference. To use the Settings app, click the Start button and select Settings. Then go to Network & internet from the sidebar. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection type, and click your active network. Scroll down to the 'DNS server assignment' section and click Edit to modify your DNS settings.

If you prefer the Control Panel, open it by searching for it in the Start menu. Navigate to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. On the left, click Change adapter settings to open the Network Connections window. Right-click your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Properties. In the list, find and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties. This window lets you enter new DNS server addresses.

Both methods let you manually set your DNS servers. The Settings app offers a more modern, user-friendly experience, while Control Panel provides the traditional interface. Either way, you can control which DNS servers your PC uses.

How do I change my DNS server for my internet connection?

In Settings > Network & internet, open the active Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi network's properties and select Edit beside DNS server assignment. Choose Manual and enter addresses of the correct family: Google's IPv4 resolvers are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4; its IPv6 resolvers are 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844. Cloudflare's IPv4 pair is 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Do not place IPv4 addresses in IPv6 fields or disable IPv6 simply to change DNS. DNS over HTTPS requires its supported encryption setting/template, not just a different IP address. Save after checking the provider's current instructions.

If you use Control Panel, after opening your adapter’s Properties and selecting Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), choose "Use the following DNS server addresses." Enter your preferred DNS servers in the Preferred and Alternate fields. Click OK to apply the changes and close all dialogs.

Change the intended adapter and leave unrelated IP-address settings intact. Cached answers can remain until they expire; if troubleshooting stale Windows DNS data, ipconfig /flushdns clears the local resolver cache. Browsers can keep their own caches or use secure DNS, and VPNs can supply separate resolvers. A PC reboot is not normally required just to save DNS settings.

How can I check that my new DNS is working properly?

After changing your DNS server, it’s important to verify that your settings are active and working correctly. Open Command Prompt by typing 'cmd' in the Start menu search. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Look for your active network adapter in the output and check the DNS Servers listed—they should match the addresses you entered.

Run nslookup example.com to inspect a default-server lookup, or nslookup example.com 1.1.1.1 to test that resolver explicitly. A valid reply verifies that particular query, not every application or the use of encrypted DNS. Browser secure-DNS settings and VPN or organization policy may select a different path, so check the application you actually use as well.

You might also notice websites loading faster or fewer errors, though this varies depending on your DNS choice and connection. If problems persist, the issue might be elsewhere or the DNS server you selected may not be optimal for your location.

Why would I want to change my DNS on Windows 11?

A different resolver can help when the current resolver is slow, unavailable or returning unwanted DNS-level filtering results. It does not bypass every regional block, IP-level restriction or service access rule. Public DNS can also break organization-only names, local-device discovery or network filtering, so keep the network's requirements in mind.

Changing DNS changes which resolver receives your queries. DNS over HTTPS encrypts the DNS connection to the resolver when configured and used, but the resolver still processes the query; this does not encrypt all traffic or make browsing anonymous. Review the provider's actual logging and retention policy instead of assuming a public resolver keeps no records.

If the problem is genuinely with name resolution, testing a known resolver may help identify it. DNS changes do not repair a broken Wi-Fi link or every internet outage. Record the original settings so that you can reverse the test, and avoid overriding managed-network requirements.

What if I want to go back to automatic DNS settings?

To restore network-provided DNS, return DNS server assignment to Automatic (DHCP), or select Obtain DNS server address automatically in the adapter's relevant IP properties. If you changed both IPv4 and IPv6 DNS, restore both as appropriate. Automatic means the network supplies the resolver; it does not necessarily mean the ISP's server, and VPN or managed policy may still apply.

After switching back, restart your browser or reboot your PC to ensure the change takes effect. If problems continue, the issue might not be related to DNS and may need further troubleshooting.

Manual DNS settings are reversible, but switching them is not guaranteed harmless: unreachable or inappropriate resolvers can interrupt access to sites or internal services. Keep the original values, account for any VPN or management policy and restore the correct automatic or manual configuration when a test fails.

Conclusion

Record the original DNS configuration, select the intended adapter and enter a suitable resolver using the correct IPv4/IPv6 fields. Test name resolution and the affected application, including any browser secure-DNS or VPN setting. Keep the change only if it meets your network and privacy needs; faster lookups do not increase internet bandwidth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can changing DNS improve my internet speed on Windows 11?

Yes. Switching to a faster DNS server can reduce the time it takes to translate website names into IP addresses, which may make websites start loading more quickly. However, it won’t increase your overall internet bandwidth.

Are there risks to manually setting DNS servers on Windows 11?

Risks include failed resolution, lost access to internal names, changes to filtering and giving another provider visibility into queries. A familiar brand alone does not guarantee the right privacy or network policy. Verify addresses from the provider and use the resolver required by a managed network where applicable.

Will changing DNS affect all devices on my network?

No. Changing DNS on your Windows 11 PC only affects that device. Other devices on your network will keep using the DNS servers assigned by your router or ISP unless you change their settings or update the router’s DNS configuration.

How do I know which DNS servers to use?

Common choices include Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), and OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220). You can try these to see which works best for your location and needs.