How to Change DNS on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

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    Changing your DNS server on Windows 11 can speed up browsing, fix sites that won’t load, or let you use a privacy-focused DNS provider instead of your ISP’s default. You can do this through the Settings app, the older Control Panel, or PowerShell if you prefer the command line. This guide walks through each method for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.

    Quick steps

    1. Open Settings and go to Network & Internet.
    2. Select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then open its properties.
    3. Next to DNS server assignment, select Edit.
    4. Change it to Manual, turn on IPv4 (and IPv6 if needed), and enter your preferred and alternate DNS addresses.
    5. Select Save.

    Before you start

    A few things to check before you dive in:

    • You’ll need admin access on the PC to change network settings in most cases.
    • Know which connection you want to update: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or both, since DNS settings are applied per connection, not system-wide.
    • Have your new DNS addresses ready. These are usually given as two IPv4 addresses (a preferred and an alternate) and sometimes IPv6 addresses too, depending on the provider you’re switching to.
    • Changing DNS only affects how your device looks up website addresses. It won’t change your IP address, internet speed plan, or ISP.

    This is the easiest method on Windows 11 and works for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

    1. Select Start, then open Settings.
    2. Go to Network & Internet.
    3. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how your PC connects to the internet.
    4. If you’re on Wi-Fi, select your connected network name. If you’re on Ethernet, select your Ethernet connection directly.
    5. Scroll down to DNS server assignment and select Edit.
    6. In the dropdown, change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
    7. Turn on the toggle for IPv4.
    8. Enter the Preferred DNS address and the Alternate DNS address for the provider you want to use.
    9. If you also want to set IPv6 DNS, turn on the IPv6 toggle and enter those addresses too.
    10. Select Save to apply the changes.

    You should see the new DNS addresses listed under the connection’s properties once it’s saved. There’s no restart needed, though it’s worth closing and reopening your browser to make sure it picks up the change right away.

    Change DNS using Control Panel

    If you’re more comfortable with the classic network interface, Control Panel still works on Windows 11.

    1. Select Start, type Control Panel, and open it.
    2. Go to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center.
    3. Select Change adapter settings from the left-hand menu.
    4. Right-click the network adapter you want to update (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose Properties.
    5. In the list, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then select Properties.
    6. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
    7. Enter your Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server addresses.
    8. Select OK, then OK again to close the adapter properties window.

    Repeat the same steps for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) if you also want to set IPv6 DNS addresses.

    Change DNS using PowerShell (for admins or scripting)

    If you manage multiple machines or just prefer the command line, PowerShell lets you set DNS without opening any menus.

    1. Select Start, type PowerShell, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
    2. Run Get-NetAdapter to see the names of your network adapters (for example, “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”).
    3. Run the following command, replacing the adapter name and addresses with your own:
      Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")
    4. Press Enter to apply the change.
    5. To confirm it worked, run Get-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" and check that the new addresses are listed.

    To switch back to automatic DNS from your router or ISP, run Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ResetServerAddresses.

    If it doesn’t work

    The DNS change won’t save

    Make sure you’re running Settings, Control Panel, or PowerShell with an account that has admin rights. Standard user accounts are often blocked from changing network adapter settings. Also double-check you selected Manual (not Automatic) before entering the addresses, since leaving it on automatic will ignore anything you type.

    Websites still load slowly or won’t open after the change

    Flush your DNS cache so Windows stops using old lookup results. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns. If that doesn’t help, double-check you entered the DNS addresses correctly, with no typos or extra spaces, and confirm your internet connection itself is working by testing with the original automatic DNS setting.

    DNS settings reset back to automatic on their own

    This usually happens when your network adapter driver resets, when you reconnect to a Wi-Fi network after it was forgotten, or when a VPN client overrides your DNS settings while connected. If you use a VPN, check its settings for a DNS override option, or reapply your custom DNS after disconnecting from the VPN.

    You can’t tell if the new DNS is actually being used

    Run ipconfig /all in Command Prompt or PowerShell and look at the DNS Servers line for your active adapter. It should list the addresses you just entered. If it still shows your ISP’s default addresses, repeat the Settings or Control Panel steps and make sure you saved the change on the correct adapter (Wi-Fi vs Ethernet).

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need to restart my PC after changing DNS on Windows 11?

    No restart is required. The change applies as soon as you select Save, though closing and reopening your web browser helps make sure it’s using the new settings right away.

    Can I set different DNS servers for Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

    Yes. DNS settings in Windows 11 are applied per network adapter, so you can set one DNS server for Wi-Fi and a different one for Ethernet if you want.

    How do I switch back to my ISP’s default DNS?

    In Settings, go back to the DNS server assignment for that connection and change it from Manual back to Automatic (DHCP). In PowerShell, use the ResetServerAddresses option shown earlier to achieve the same result.

    Will changing DNS affect my VPN connection?

    It can. Some VPN apps apply their own DNS settings while connected, which can override whatever you set manually on the network adapter. If your custom DNS stops working while the VPN is active, check the VPN app’s own DNS or network settings.

    Is it safe to use a public DNS server instead of my ISP’s?

    Switching to a reputable public DNS provider is generally safe and is a common way to improve browsing speed or add filtering features. Just make sure you’re entering the correct addresses from a provider you trust, since a wrong or malicious DNS server could redirect your traffic.

    Sources

    Updated on November 8, 2026
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