How to Change DNS Server Address on Windows 11

Windows 11 uses your router’s default DNS server unless you set a custom one manually. That default is usually your ISP’s own resolver, which can be slow, unreliable, or logged for tracking. Switching to a provider like Cloudflare, Google, or Quad9 can shorten page load times, bypass ISP-level blocks, or fix intermittent “site can’t be reached” errors. This guide covers four ways to make the change, plus how to confirm it worked.

Method 1: Change DNS Through Settings

This is the standard method for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.

1. Open Settings and go to Network & internet.
2. Click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Select Hardware properties, or click the specific adapter if multiple are listed. This opens the adapter’s properties page.
4. On that page, find DNS server assignment and click Edit next to it.
5. Change the dropdown from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
6. Toggle IPv4 on, then enter a Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS address. Only toggle IPv6 as well if your network actually uses an IPv6 connection; most home setups don’t need this.
7. If Preferred DNS encryption appears, you can set it to On (automatic template) to enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) for encrypted DNS traffic. This option only shows up if Windows detects the server supports it.
8. Click Save.

Popular DNS Server Addresses

Each provider below has different priorities, from raw speed to content filtering.

Method 2: Change DNS Using Command Prompt

This is an alternative to the Settings method above, not an extra step to run afterward. Use it if you prefer scripting the change or applying it across multiple machines.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Run netsh interface show interface to confirm your adapter’s exact name.
3. Set the preferred DNS with netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 1.1.1.1.
4. Add the alternate DNS with netsh interface ip add dns name="Wi-Fi" 1.0.0.1 index=2.
5. Replace "Wi-Fi" with "Ethernet" if you’re on a wired connection.
6. If a command returns an “Access is denied” or “Element not found” error, confirm Command Prompt is running as administrator and that the adapter name from step 2 was typed exactly, including capitalization.
7. To revert to automatic DNS later, run netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" dhcp.

Method 3: Change DNS Using PowerShell

PowerShell’s NetTCPIP module offers the same control as Command Prompt with more script-friendly syntax.

1. Open Start, search for PowerShell, and select Run as administrator.
2. Run Get-NetIPConfiguration to view your current setup.
3. In the output, find your active adapter’s block and note the number next to InterfaceIndex.
4. Set the DNS servers with Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 12 -ServerAddresses 1.1.1.1,1.0.0.1, replacing 12 with the InterfaceIndex number from step 3 and the addresses with your preferred provider.
5. To revert to automatic DNS later, run Get-NetAdapter -InterfaceIndex 12 | Set-DnsClientServerAddress -ResetServerAddresses, using the same InterfaceIndex number.

Method 4: Change DNS Using Control Panel

Control Panel still works on Windows 11 and is familiar if you’ve configured DNS on older Windows versions. Note that it doesn’t support DNS over HTTPS; use the Settings method above if you need DoH.

1. Open Control Panel and go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change adapter settings in the left pane.
3. Right-click your active adapter and select Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties.
5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
6. Enter your Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server.
7. Click OK, then Close.
8. To revert later, repeat these steps and select Obtain DNS server address automatically in step 5, then click OK.

Flush DNS Cache After Switching

Windows caches old DNS lookups, which can delay the effect of your new settings.

1. Open Command Prompt.
2. Run ipconfig /flushdns.
3. Restart your browser.

Verify the New DNS Is Working

Confirming the change took effect helps rule out typos or a setting that didn’t save.

1. Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /all.
2. Under your active adapter, check that DNS Servers shows the addresses you entered.
3. If the old addresses still appear, restart your computer; some adapters don’t apply DNS changes until a reboot.

Frequently Asked Questions

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