DNS & ISP
How to Change the DNS on Your Router
Setting DNS on your router covers every device on your network at once, including ones that have no DNS settings of their own, like smart TVs and consoles.
Last updated October 18, 2026 · By Harbor Privacy
Why Do It on the Router
Devices on your home network take their DNS from the router by default. Change it there and a filtering or private resolver applies to all of them, without installing anything. See how to block ads on all devices.
Steps
01
Open the router admin pageCommon addresses are 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1. The login is often on a sticker on the router.
02
Find the DNS settingLook under Internet, WAN, or DHCP/LAN. Some routers call it Primary and Secondary DNS.
03
Enter your resolverPut in the DNS addresses your provider gave you. Use the same provider for both slots, so lookups do not bypass your filter.
04
Save and rebootRestart the router so it hands the new DNS to every device.
05
Renew on your devicesReconnect to Wi-Fi, or restart the device, so it picks up the new setting.
Common Problems
- ISP routers hide the setting. Some locked routers do not allow it. Put your own router behind it, or set DNS on each device.
- Devices with their own DNS. Some TVs and apps ignore the router and use a built-in resolver.
- IPv6. If your router hands out an IPv6 DNS address, the old resolver can still answer. Set it there too, or turn off IPv6 DNS.
- A phone using Private DNS or a VPN. That setting overrides the router.
Check That It Worked
01
Run a DNS leak testSee how to test and confirm your resolver is listed.
02
Test a blocked siteIf your resolver blocks ads, load an ad test page and confirm the ads are gone.
Related guides: Block ads on all devices, Best DNS servers for privacy, Router security.
Common Questions
Will changing router DNS affect all devices?
Yes, any device that gets DNS from the router. Devices with a manual DNS or a VPN keep their own.
Can changing DNS break my internet?
Only if the addresses are wrong. If pages stop loading, switch back to automatic and retry.
Do I need to change DNS on my phone too?
Not at home. When you leave your network, the router no longer applies, so use a VPN or encrypted DNS on the phone.
Which DNS should I use?
One with a clear logging policy that filters what you want. See the best DNS servers for privacy.
Can my ISP still see my traffic?
Router DNS changes who answers your lookups, but your ISP still sees the addresses you connect to unless you use a VPN.
WANT IT SET UP FOR YOU?
Harbor Adblock sends you step-by-step router instructions and blocks ads, trackers, and malware on every device. See Harbor Adblock.