Are you experiencing slow Wi-Fi or lagging internet speeds on your Windows 11 PC? Even if you have a high-speed plan, the default DNS server provided by your ISP can sometimes cause bottlenecks.
In this guide (and the video below), I’ll show you how to manually change your DNS settings to faster, more reliable options like Cloudflare or Google Public DNS. This is a quick setting change that can significantly improve your browsing speed and reliability.
Why Change Your DNS?
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns a default DNS server when you connect to the internet. However, these aren’t always the fastest. Switching to a public DNS like Cloudflare or Google can:
- Improve page loading times.
- Fix “Resolving Host” errors.
- Provide better uptime and security.
Steps to Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
You can change these settings for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. Here is how to do it:
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- In the left sidebar, click on Network & internet.
- Choose your connection:
- If using Wi-Fi: Click on Wi-Fi > Hardware properties.
- If using Ethernet: Click on Ethernet (the properties open immediately).
- Scroll down to find DNS server assignment and click the Edit button next to it.
- Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Toggle the IPv4 switch to ON.
- Enter the Preferred and Alternate DNS addresses (listed below).
- Click Save.
Best DNS Server Addresses (IPv4 & IPv6)
You can use either Cloudflare or Google. I recommend trying Cloudflare first, testing your speed, and switching to Google if you don’t see an improvement.
Option 1: Cloudflare DNS (Focused on Speed)
IPv4:
- Preferred DNS:
1.1.1.1 - Alternate DNS:
1.0.0.1
IPv6:
- Preferred DNS:
2606:4700:4700::1111 - Alternate DNS:
2606:4700:4700::1001
Option 2: Google Public DNS (Focused on Reliability)
IPv4:
- Preferred DNS:
8.8.8.8 - Alternate DNS:
8.8.4.4
IPv6:
- Preferred DNS:
2001:4860:4860::8888 - Alternate DNS:
2001:4860:4860::8844
Conclusion
After saving these settings, open your browser and check if websites are loading faster. It’s worth noting that speed can vary depending on your location, so feel free to switch between Cloudflare and Google to see which one works best for you.
Did this help improve your internet speed? Let me know in the comments below!
