How to Change DNS Server on Windows 10

Changing the DNS server on your Windows 10 PC can improve browsing speed, bypass certain regional blocks, and add a layer of security by using a trusted resolver like Cloudflare or Google. This guide walks you through the built-in Windows settings to switch your DNS for the current network connection—no extra software needed.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with administrator privileges (you’ll need to confirm a UAC prompt).
The IP addresses of the DNS servers you want to use. Common ones: Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), or your ISP’s.
Your current network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) must be active.

Step-by-Step

Open Network Settings. Right-click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner) and select Open Network & Internet settings. Alternatively, go to Settings > Network & Internet.
Go to Change adapter options. In the Network & Internet window, click Change adapter options (usually under the “Advanced network settings” section). This opens a window listing your network connections.
Identify your active connection. Look for the adapter that’s currently connected—typically labeled “Ethernet” for wired connections or “Wi-Fi” for wireless. It will show a green bar or “Connected” status. Right-click it and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). In the properties window, scroll down the list and click once on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to highlight it. Don’t uncheck it—just select it. Then click the Properties button below.
Enter the DNS server addresses. In the new dialog, select the radio button Use the following DNS server addresses. Then type your preferred DNS server in the “Preferred DNS server” field and an alternate in the “Alternate DNS server” field. For example, for Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
Optional: Set DNS over HTTPS (DoH). If you’re using Windows 10 build 19628 or later, you can enable encryption. Right-click the DNS server field and select Configure. Then choose Only encrypt with DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and enter the provider’s DoH template (e.g., https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query for Cloudflare). If you’re not sure, skip this step—plain DNS still works.
Apply and close. Click OK on the TCP/IPv4 properties window, then Close on the adapter properties. Your changes take effect immediately—no restart needed.
Verify the change. Open a command prompt (press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter). Run ipconfig /all and look for “DNS Servers” under your active adapter. It should show the new addresses.

Common Mistakes

Editing the wrong adapter. If you have multiple adapters (e.g., VirtualBox, VPN), you might change DNS on an inactive one. Always check the one with “Connected” status.
Leaving the alternate blank. If you only fill in the preferred DNS and leave the alternate empty, Windows may fall back to the default (often your router) which could still be slow. Always fill both.
Forgetting to select “Use the following DNS server addresses”. If you leave “Obtain automatically” selected, your changes won’t apply.
Mistyping the IP. A single wrong number (e.g., 8.8.8.9) will cause DNS failures. Double-check each octet.
Not closing all dialog boxes. If you click X on the adapter properties without clicking OK on the TCP/IPv4 window, changes are discarded.

Tips

Use a reliable public DNS. Google (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1) are fast and widely available. For privacy-focused, consider Quad9 (9.9.9.9).
Test both IPv4 and IPv6. If your network uses IPv6, you can also set DNS for IPv6 (e.g., Google’s 2001:4860:4860::8888). But setting IPv4 alone works for most sites.
Flush DNS cache after changing. Run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt to clear old cached entries and ensure the new DNS is used immediately.
Keep a note of your old DNS. If you ever need to revert, you can select “Obtain DNS server address automatically” again.
Change DNS on your router instead. If you want the setting to apply to all devices (phones, TVs), change it in your router’s admin panel. But for just this PC, the adapter method is fine.

Troubleshooting

No internet after change. Double-check the IP addresses. Try pinging the DNS server: ping 8.8.8.8. If that works but websites don’t load, your DNS is likely wrong. Revert to automatic or try a different provider.
DNS doesn’t stick after reboot. Some VPN software or security tools may override DNS settings. Temporarily disable them, or check their own settings for DNS override.
Can’t find “Change adapter options”. In older Windows 10 versions, it’s under “Network and Sharing Center” in Control Panel. Alternatively, search for “View network connections” in the Start menu.
IPv6 DNS not working. If you set IPv6 DNS and it fails, remove it and leave only IPv4. Most sites work over IPv4.
Still seeing old DNS in ipconfig. Make sure you edited the correct adapter. Run ipconfig /all and check the adapter name matches the one you changed.
DoH not working. If you enabled DNS over HTTPS but it fails, your Windows build may not support it, or the provider’s template is incorrect. Disable DoH and use plain DNS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS affect my internet speed?

It can. A faster DNS server can reduce the time it takes to resolve domain names, making web browsing feel snappier. However, if your ISP’s DNS is already fast, the difference may be negligible.

Is it safe to use public DNS like Google or Cloudflare?

Yes, these are reputable companies with strong privacy policies. They log some data but generally less than ISPs. For maximum privacy, use a DNS that promises no logging, like Quad9.

Can I change DNS on a metered connection?

Yes, the steps are the same. However, note that some public DNS servers might use more data due to caching, but this is minimal.

Do I need to restart my PC after changing DNS?

No, changes take effect immediately. If you have issues, you can restart, but it’s usually not required.

Will changing DNS affect my VPN?

It depends. If your VPN forces its own DNS, your changes may be ignored. Some VPNs have a setting to use the system DNS. Check your VPN’s options.

How do I revert to automatic DNS?

Follow the same steps, but select “Obtain DNS server address automatically” in the TCP/IPv4 properties, then click OK.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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