Windows 11 normally receives DNS server addresses from your router through DHCP. You can replace them for a single Wi‑Fi or Ethernet adapter, use PowerShell or netsh, and restore the automatic setting later.
This can help when your ISP’s DNS service is slow or unreliable, but it will not increase your internet speed in every case. DNS only translates names such as itechguides.com into IP addresses; it does not improve the bandwidth of an established connection.
DNS servers you can use
Use two addresses from the same provider where possible. Common public resolvers include:
| Provider | Preferred DNS | Alternate DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 |
1.0.0.1 |
8.8.8.8 |
8.8.4.4 |
|
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 |
149.112.112.112 |
These are examples, not mandatory choices. A work, school, hotel, or VPN network may require its own DNS server for internal websites and services. If changing DNS breaks access to company resources, restore the automatic setting or ask the network administrator for the correct resolver.
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Change DNS in Windows 11 Settings
Settings is the simplest method and lets you configure IPv4, IPv6, and, with supported resolvers, DNS over HTTPS.
For a Wi‑Fi connection
- Open Settings with
Win + I. - Go to Network & internet > Wi‑Fi.
- Select the connected Wi‑Fi network.
- Next to DNS server assignment, select Edit.
For an Ethernet connection
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet.
- Select the connected Ethernet network.
- Next to DNS server assignment, select Edit.
Enter the DNS addresses
- In Edit DNS settings, change DNS settings from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4.
- Enter the first address in Preferred DNS and the second in Alternate DNS. For Cloudflare, use
1.1.1.1and1.0.0.1. - Leave the DNS over HTTPS setting at its default unless you specifically want encrypted DNS. If Windows recognizes the resolver, you can choose Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS), Encrypted preferred, unencrypted allowed, or Unencrypted only.
- Select Save.
Repeat the process with IPv6 if you want to set IPv6 DNS as well. For Cloudflare, the IPv6 addresses are 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001.
Understand the DNS over HTTPS choices
- Encrypted only: Windows fails DNS resolution if the selected server cannot answer using DoH. This provides the strictest setting but can cause connection failures.
- Encrypted preferred, unencrypted allowed: Windows tries DoH first and can silently fall back to ordinary, unencrypted DNS.
- Unencrypted only: Windows uses traditional DNS queries.
The encryption controls are available only for resolvers in Windows’ recognized DoH list. Entering a DNS IP address alone does not enable DNS over HTTPS. If a resolver is not recognized or does not support DoH, selecting encrypted-only DNS can prevent name resolution.
Change DNS using Control Panel
The classic adapter dialog is useful when you want to edit IPv4 and IPv6 properties separately.
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- Press
Win + R, typencpa.cpl, and press Enter. - Right-click the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then select Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter the preferred and alternate DNS addresses.
- Select OK, then Close.
To configure IPv6, return to the adapter’s properties, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), choose Properties, and enter the IPv6 DNS addresses.
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This changes DNS for the selected Windows network adapter. It does not change the DNS configuration on your router, and it does not change DNS settings inside a web browser. If you leave the adapter set to obtain DNS automatically, Windows continues using the addresses supplied by DHCP.
Change DNS with PowerShell
PowerShell is convenient when you know the adapter name or interface index. Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell as administrator.
Find the adapter name and index
Get-NetIPConfigurationLook for the relevant InterfaceAlias and InterfaceIndex. Do not assume that the adapter is called Ethernet; a renamed adapter or a virtual network interface may have a different name.
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Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")You can target the interface by index instead:
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 12 -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")Replace Ethernet or 12 with the values shown on your computer.
Set IPv6 DNS
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses ("2606:4700:4700::1111","2606:4700:4700::1001")Validate the DNS servers before applying them
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1") -ValidateThe -Validate parameter checks whether the supplied addresses respond as DNS servers. It must be used with -ServerAddresses; by itself, it is not a general internet connectivity test.
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Restore DNS supplied by DHCP
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ResetServerAddressesUse the correct interface index instead if you originally configured the adapter that way. Static addresses override DHCP for that interface until you reset them.
Change DNS with netsh
Windows 11 includes the documented netsh dnsclient context. Run these commands from an elevated Command Prompt or Windows Terminal.
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View DNS client state
netsh dnsclient show stateSet a static DNS server list
netsh dnsclient set dnsserver name="Ethernet" source=static address=1.1.1.1 register=primary validate=yesAdd the second server at position two:
netsh dnsclient add dnsserver name="Ethernet" address=1.0.0.1 index=2 validate=yesDNS server order matters: the server at index 1 is preferred over the server at index 2. Adapter names containing spaces must be enclosed in quotation marks.
Return to automatic DNS
netsh dnsclient set dnsserver name="Ethernet" source=dhcpAlternatively, clear a static list with:
netsh dnsclient set dnsserver name="Ethernet" source=static address=noneDisplay encrypted DNS settings
netsh dnsclient show encryptionAssigning resolver addresses and configuring encrypted DNS are separate operations. A static DNS address does not automatically mean that queries use DNS over HTTPS.
Use the protocol-specific netsh commands
The IPv4 and IPv6 DNS settings are independent. To see the exact adapter name, run:
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netsh interface show interfaceIPv4
netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers name="Ethernet" source=static address=1.1.1.1 register=primary validate=yesnetsh interface ipv4 add dnsservers name="Ethernet" address=1.0.0.1 index=2 validate=yesShow the current IPv4 DNS configuration:
netsh interface ipv4 show dnsservers name="Ethernet"Restore IPv4 DNS to DHCP:
netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers name="Ethernet" source=dhcpIPv6
netsh interface ipv6 set dnsservers name="Ethernet" source=static address=2606:4700:4700::1111 register=primary validate=yesnetsh interface ipv6 add dnsservers name="Ethernet" address=2606:4700:4700::1001 index=2 validate=yesRestore IPv6 DNS to DHCP:
netsh interface ipv6 set dnsservers name="Ethernet" source=dhcpChanging IPv4 DNS does not change IPv6 DNS. If IPv6 remains enabled and has usable DNS settings, applications can still resolve names through IPv6.
Check that the new DNS server is being used
Open Command Prompt and run:
ipconfig /allUnder the active adapter, inspect the DNS Servers line. You can also query a specific server directly:
nslookup example.com 1.1.1.1To test ordinary resolution through Windows’ configured resolver, run:
nslookup example.comIf websites still behave as though the old resolver is being used, disconnect and reconnect the adapter, or renew the network lease:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdns can clear cached answers, but it does not change the DNS server. It is only a cache-clearing command:
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ipconfig /flushdnsTroubleshooting DNS changes
- No internet access after enabling encrypted-only DNS: change the encryption mode or use a resolver supported by Windows and capable of DoH.
- The setting appears to have no effect: check both IPv4 and IPv6, and confirm that you edited the active adapter rather than a disconnected or virtual adapter.
- Internal work websites stop resolving: reconnect the corporate VPN or restore DHCP DNS. Public resolvers usually cannot resolve private company names.
- DNS keeps reverting: a VPN client, security product, device-management policy, or router may be enforcing its own DNS configuration.
- PowerShell reports that the interface cannot be found: run
Get-NetIPConfigurationand use the exact alias or interface index. - Commands work on one connection but not another: Wi‑Fi and Ethernet have separate adapter settings. Configure each one independently if required.
A full Windows restart is normally unnecessary. The network interface may need to reconnect, but DNS changes are applied to the targeted adapter.
FAQ
Does changing DNS make my internet faster?
It can reduce the time needed to look up a domain when your current DNS service is slow, but it does not increase your connection’s download speed or bandwidth.
Which DNS server is best for Windows 11?
There is no universal winner. Cloudflare, Google, and Quad9 are widely used public options. Test from your own network, and keep your organization’s DNS when you need access to private or managed services.
Do I need to change both IPv4 and IPv6 DNS?
Not necessarily, but they are separate settings. If IPv6 is active and you configure only IPv4, Windows may continue using the existing IPv6 DNS configuration.
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Websites may fail to resolve even though the network appears connected. Restore automatic DNS or replace the address with a working resolver. The internet connection itself may still be active.
Does ipconfig /flushdns change the DNS server?
No. It clears Windows’ local DNS cache. Change the adapter DNS settings with Settings, Control Panel, PowerShell, or netsh.
Can I change DNS for only one browser?
Some browsers have their own Secure DNS or DNS over HTTPS setting. That is separate from Windows adapter DNS and may cause browser queries to use a different resolver.
The Bottom Line
For most users, open Settings > Network & internet, select the active Wi‑Fi or Ethernet connection, choose DNS server assignment > Edit, switch to Manual, enter the resolver addresses, and select Save. Configure IPv6 separately if needed, and restore Automatic (DHCP) when a network requires its own DNS service.
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