How to Change DNS Server in Windows 11

Changing the DNS server in Windows 11 can help when websites are loading slowly, certain domains are not resolving correctly, or you want to use a different DNS provider. DNS, or Domain Name System, translates website names such as example.com into IP addresses that computers can use to establish connections.

By default, your computer usually receives DNS server information automatically from your router or internet service provider. This works well for most users, but there are situations where manually selecting a DNS server can be useful.

Windows 11 allows you to change DNS settings for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. You can do this through the Settings app, the classic Network Connections interface, PowerShell, or Command Prompt.

Method 1: Change DNS Server From Settings

The easiest way to manually configure DNS in Windows 11 is through the Settings app.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Click Network & internet.
• Select Wi-Fi if you are using a wireless connection.
• Click your connected Wi-Fi network.
• Find DNS server assignment.
• Click Edit.
• Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
• Turn on IPv4.
• Enter your preferred DNS server address in Preferred DNS.
• Enter another DNS server in Alternate DNS if desired.
• Click Save.

If you are using Ethernet:

• Open Settings.
• Select Network & internet.
• Click Ethernet.
• Find DNS server assignment.
• Click Edit.
• Select Manual.
• Enable IPv4.
• Enter your DNS addresses.
• Click Save.

After saving the settings, Windows will use the manually specified DNS servers for that network connection.

Method 2: Use a Public DNS Server

You can choose from several established public DNS services. The correct choice depends on your requirements, location, and network.

Some commonly used DNS addresses include:

DNS service	Preferred DNS	Alternate DNS
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1	1.0.0.1
Google Public DNS	8.8.8.8	8.8.4.4
Quad9	9.9.9.9	149.112.112.112

To configure one of these services:

• Open Settings.
• Go to Network & internet.
• Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• Open the active connection.
• Find DNS server assignment.
• Click Edit.
• Select Manual.
• Enable IPv4.
• Enter the preferred and alternate DNS addresses.
• Click Save.

You do not need to enter multiple DNS services at the same time. Choose the service you want to use and configure its corresponding addresses.

Method 3: Change DNS Using the Classic Network Connections Interface

Windows 11 still provides the traditional network adapter properties interface. You can use it to configure DNS manually.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + R.
• Type:

ncpa.cpl

• Press Enter.
• Find your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
• Right-click it.
• Select Properties.
• Find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
• Select it.
• Click Properties.
• Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
• Enter your preferred DNS server.
• Enter the alternate DNS server.
• Click OK.
• Click Close.

Windows will begin using the new DNS configuration.

If you also want to configure IPv6 DNS, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and enter appropriate IPv6 DNS addresses.

Be careful not to change other network settings unless you know what they do.

Method 4: Change DNS Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides a command-line method for configuring DNS servers.

First, identify your network interface.

• Press Windows + X.
• Select Terminal (Admin).
• Run:

Get-NetAdapter

Find the name of the active network adapter, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

You can then configure DNS using:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")

Replace Wi-Fi with the name of your actual network interface if necessary.

For an Ethernet adapter, for example:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")

Press Enter after entering the command.

To verify the configuration, run:

Get-DnsClientServerAddress

Find the relevant network adapter and check the DNS server addresses shown by Windows.

Method 5: Change DNS Using Command Prompt

You can also configure DNS from Command Prompt using the netsh command.

First, identify the exact name of the network interface.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh interface show interface

Windows will display the available network interfaces.

Once you know the interface name, you can set a DNS server with a command such as:

netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 1.1.1.1

To add an alternate DNS server, run:

netsh interface ip add dns name="Wi-Fi" 1.0.0.1 index=2

Replace Wi-Fi with the correct interface name.

You can verify the configuration afterward with:

ipconfig /all

Look for the DNS Servers entry under the active network adapter.

This method is particularly useful for advanced troubleshooting or systems where you want to configure DNS without navigating through Settings.

Method 6: Flush the DNS Cache After Changing DNS

Windows maintains a local DNS cache to speed up repeated lookups. After changing DNS servers, clearing this cache can help ensure that Windows performs fresh DNS lookups.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + S.
• Search for Command Prompt.
• Right-click it.
• Select Run as administrator.
• Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

• Press Enter.

Windows should report that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.

Close Command Prompt and test several websites.

If a website still does not load, restart the browser and try again.

Flushing DNS does not change your DNS server. It simply clears cached DNS information from Windows.

Method 7: Return DNS Settings to Automatic

If manually configured DNS causes problems or you simply want to return to your normal network configuration, you can switch DNS back to automatic.

Using Settings:

• Open Settings.
• Go to Network & internet.
• Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• Open the active connection.
• Find DNS server assignment.
• Click Edit.
• Select Automatic (DHCP).
• Click Save.

Windows will then obtain DNS server information automatically from the network.

You can also restore automatic DNS through PowerShell:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ResetServerAddresses

Replace Wi-Fi with the appropriate interface name.

After returning to automatic DNS, you can run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Then test your internet connection again.

Conclusion

Changing the DNS server in Windows 11 is a straightforward way to manually control how your computer resolves domain names. You can configure DNS through the Settings app, classic network adapter properties, PowerShell, or Command Prompt.

For most users, the recommended approach is Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet > DNS server assignment > Edit. From there, you can select Manual and enter the DNS addresses you want to use.

Public DNS services such as Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, and Quad9 are commonly used alternatives to DNS servers provided automatically by an internet connection.

If you experience problems after making the change, verify the DNS addresses, flush the DNS cache, and test your connection. You can always return the setting to Automatic (DHCP) if you prefer Windows and your router to handle DNS configuration automatically.

FAQs

1. What is the best DNS server for Windows 11?

There is no single DNS server that is best for everyone. Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, and Quad9 are popular options. Performance can vary depending on your location and internet provider.

2. Does changing DNS make my internet faster?

It can sometimes improve how quickly domain names are resolved, particularly if your current DNS server is slow or unreliable. However, changing DNS does not automatically increase your internet connection’s maximum speed.

3. How do I check which DNS server Windows 11 is using?

Open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig /all

Look under your active network adapter for DNS Servers.

4. How do I undo a manual DNS change?

Open the connection’s DNS server assignment settings, change the configuration back to Automatic (DHCP), and save it. Windows will then obtain DNS information automatically from the network.

Quick Summary

• Open Network & internet settings to manually change DNS in Windows 11.
• Popular options include Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, and Quad9.
• Use ipconfig /flushdns after changing DNS if cached information causes problems.
• Return DNS server assignment to Automatic (DHCP) to restore the default configuration.