How-To

How to Add Google Public DNS to Your Wi-Fi Router

By Brian Burgess

Updated July 22, 2021

Instead of adding a new DNS to each computer on your home network, it’s easier to just add it to your router. Here’s how.

Last week we looked at how to add Google Public DNS to your computer for faster browsing. If you have several computers on your network, it’s easier to add them to your home router, than each computer.

What is DNS?

Without the Domain Name System (DNS) in place, you wouldn’t be reading this article. Everything from websites to email servers would be crippled without DNS in place. You can think of it as the phonebook for the internet. It converts IP addresses into a domain that’s easier to remember like groovypost.com.

For more check out our article: What is DNS and Why it Matters.

Add Google Public DNS to Your Router

From a computer on your network, launch a browser and type in the IP of your router, and hit Enter. Usually, it’s 192.168.1.1 or similar. If you’re not sure, check the router documentation.

Here I’m using a Linksys E4200.

Next, enter the password for your home router. You do have it password protected right?

Now go to the DNS settings for your router. With Linksys routers that I have used, the section is under Setup >> Basic Setup.

Each router’s user interface is different, but adding the DNS to is the same.

For Static DNS type: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 – they can be in either order.

After you enter the DNS values, make sure to save the settings.

That’s it! The changes have been saved. Some routers will require you to restart it before changes go into effect.

To verify the Google Public DNS is working, click Start type: cmd into the search box and hit enter.

At the command prompt type: ipconfig /all and hit Enter.

Then search through the results under the adapter your PC is connected to.

That’s all there is to it. Adding Google Public DNS to your router is easier than adding it to each individual machine.