How to Change Your DNS Settings to Increase Speed

Over the past two decades, technological developments have dramatically improved internet speeds. Broadband and fiber connections have created lightning-fast networks where high-definition media can be loaded in just a few seconds.

That's not to say there isn't room for improvement. Changing your DNS settings is often cited as one of the easiest ways to optimize your internet speed. So, let's take a look at how DNS works and how to change your DNS settings.

What Is DNS?

When you enter a website's URL into your browser, it must be translated into the site's IP address to send and receive data. The Domain Name System (DNS) is the digital equivalent of a phonebook, providing a number (IP address) for a given name (URL).

For example, if you enter www.makeuseof.com into your browser, the DNS server translates that into an IP address—in this case, 13.248.142.229. With over a billion websites currently online, it isn't practical to maintain a list that large, so your DNS server stores a cache for a range of websites.

If you try to access a site that isn't already cached, your DNS server will request the entry from another server. Your default DNS server is likely to be provided by your ISP and isn't guaranteed to be the best-performing server.

How Does Your Location Affect DNS Speed?

The infrastructure supporting the internet is a series of copper and optical cables connecting servers worldwide. Data is carried across these cables in the form of electromagnetic waves, with speed limited to the speed of light. While we can't do anything to increase that speed, we can reduce the distance these waves have to travel.

If a DNS server is located far away from you, then your browsing speeds will be impacted. However, the reality of the internet is more complicated than simple distance calculations would have you believe. Google Public DNS is one of the most popular DNS server alternatives and uses two IP addresses (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

These are known as anycast addresses, with multiple servers worldwide responding to requests from these addresses. The servers responding to the requests vary throughout the day, depending on network conditions and traffic. Despite returning your queries from servers worldwide, it is consistently ranked as one of the fastest DNS servers.

They have achieved this by working with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to attach location data to DNS requests. In most cases, if you use a Canadian DNS server, the CDNs assume you are in Canada. This impacts loading speeds, and the content you see will be optimized for a Canadian audience. CDNs are essential to the operation of the internet.

Google and OpenDNS attach your IP address to the DNS requests. This means that the data is loaded from a server local to you, improving your overall internet speed.

Does Changing Your DNS Increase Speed?

When planning a trip with Google Maps, you're presented with several different travel options. Some routes will take less time, even if they cover a greater distance. This could be due to many factors, such as traffic, transport changes, and average speed.

When selecting a DNS server to increase your internet speeds, you'll face a similar range of factors. Choosing the most advantageous path is known as route optimization. Some DNS servers, like those provided by ISPs, will experience heavy traffic, especially during peak times.

Some servers have outdated records or inefficiently route your data. The complex interplay between servers and connections makes route optimization integral to improving your internet speeds. Your ISP's DNS server may be located close by. However, its one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to offer you the best performance.

This is where a tool like Google's Namebench comes in handy. It offers a free speed test to help you find the fastest DNS to optimize your internet speed. Namebench analyzes your connection and recommends the best DNS servers explicitly tailored to you.

Furthermore, DNS doesn't only dictate speed. You can choose a specific DNS provider to improve your online safety and security.

Alternative DNS Providers

While your ISP likely has its own DNS server, it probably isn't the fastest option available. Instead, you'll want to change your operating system's DNS settings. There are several alternative DNS providers, including Google DNS, OpenDNS, Cloudflare DNS, and Quad9. We've compared Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS to see which provider delivers the fastest results, but you'll experience a speed and security boost switching from your default DNS to any of these alternative providers.

I've listed the DNS addresses for each option below so you can input them on whichever operating system you use.

IPv4 DNS Addresses

IPv6 DNS Addresses

How to Change DNS Settings on Windows 10 and Windows 11

To change your DNS on Windows 10:

1. Press Win + X to open the Power User Menu and select Network Connections.
2. Under Advanced network settings, select Change adapter options.
3. In the new window displaying your available network devices, right-click your internet-connected device and select Properties.

To change your DNS on Windows 11:

1. Press Win + X to open the Power User Menu and select Network Connections.
2. Select Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
3. In the new window displaying your available network devices, right-click your internet-connected device and select Properties.

From there, the process of changing your DNS settings is the same for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. Then, navigate to the Use the following DNS server addresses option. Now, enter one of the IP addresses from the section above, depending on which DNS provider you want to use. Once entered, click OK to save these settings.
2. You'll be returned to the Properties menu. From here, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties. Repeat the process for IPv6 DNS servers. Click OK to save your IPv6 DNS settings.

Then, you can close all settings windows and return to regular internet browsing. Once you confirm those settings, you'll begin using your new DNS servers.

How to Change DNS Settings on macOS

To change your DNS on a macOS device:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. From there, click Network > Advanced.
3. On this page, navigate to the DNS tab.
4. Unlike on Windows, you can easily add and remove DNS servers using the + and - buttons on the window's bottom left. Once you've clicked the + icon, you can enter the IP address of your desired provider.

As with Windows, once you confirm your settings, you'll start using your new DNS provider.

How to Change DNS Settings on Linux

Now, as there are so many different Linux distros, the method for changing your DNS settings varies. You can also choose between changing the settings using the Linux GUI or the command line. We've previously covered how to change your Linux DNS settings in GNOME, KDE, and using the terminal, as well as how to change your DNS settings on Ubuntu.

The instructions for each of these options would take up too much space in this article, so Linux users should refer to the detailed guides linked above.

How to Change DNS Settings on ChromeOS

Google's ChromeOS has millions of users worldwide courtesy of its installation on every Chromebook. It's a relatively simple task to change the DNS settings on ChromeOS.

1. Head to Settings > Security and Privacy.
2. Find the Use Secure DNS setting and toggle it on.
3. Now, select the With option, then use the dropdown menu to select either Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or enter a custom DNS.

Your new DNS settings will work on any network you connect your Chromebook to.

How to Change DNS Settings on an iPhone

If you want to change your DNS settings on an iPhone:

1. First, head to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the 'i' icon next to your connected network. This will open a settings page for the network you want to adjust. Scroll the page until you reach the DNS header.
3. Tap the Configure DNS option. By default, this will be set to Automatic. Select Manual to enable further options. The Add Server field will appear Under DNS Server.
4. Tap the button and enter the IP address of your desired provider.

Once complete, tap Save at the top right of the screen.

How to Change DNS Settings on Android

The steps to change your DNS on Android vary depending on your device. However, for stock Android 9.0 and above:

1. Open Settings > Network and Internet.
2. Tap on the arrow to expand the Advanced settings. By default, the Private DNS field will be set to Automatic. Selecting that option will open an input window.
3. Tap Private DNS provider hostname. Here, you will need to use the DNS server's hostname rather than the IP address, as below.
   • Google DNS: dns.google.com
   • Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
   • OpenDNS: doh.opendns.com
   • Quad9: dns.quad9.net

While there is no silver bullet to improve internet speeds, you can make numerous smaller tweaks and improvements. These improvements work together to increase your overall internet speed, and the DNS server you choose will play an essential role in this process.