How to quickly change your router's DNS addresses
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Unlike an increasing amount of today’s world wide web, this article was carefully crafted by the diligent humans at Arbiio, not AI. Accuracy is of paramount importance to us.
Taking a network-wide approach to privacy, security and content filtering means using a DNS service such as Arbiio. When doing so, you can choose to block online ads, or block access to specific apps or streaming services, for every device connected to your home network. Even your smart TV.
Using a new DNS provider does require one administrative step however: you need to log into your router and make an essential change within its control panel. Let's take a quick look at how that is achieved across some of Australia's most popular router brands, with the caveat that these steps may vary slightly from model to model, depending on how old it is.
Ahead of brand-specific instructions, let's recap the high-level premise for all routers:
- Use a web browser to access your router's control panel webpage address, often printed on the back of the router, such as 192.168.0.1
- Navigate to the DNS settings section, often within an "advanced" network settings area
- Input your new DNS IP addresses and save your changes
Without further ado, let's dive in! Make sure you are connected to your home network via ethernet or Wifi before you begin, as this won't work if you're on a cellular mobile connection such as 5G.
TP-Link routers:
- Open a web browser window and visit tplinklogin.net by entering that website URL
- Log in with the router admin credentials
- If unique credentials are not listed on the back of your router, TP-Link's common default username is admin and password is admin
- Click on the “Advanced” menu button, then “Network” and “Internet settings”
- Under the “Advanced” dropdown choose “DNS settings”
- Select the “Use the Following DNS Addresses” option and enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Click "Save”
ASUS routers:
- Open a web browser and visit router.asus.com by entering that website URL
- Log in with the router admin credentials
- If unique credentials are not listed on the back of your router, ASUS's common default username is admin and password is admin
- Go to WAN > Internet Connection
- Under WAN DNS Setting, select "No" for "Connect to DNS Server automatically"
- Enter your new DNS server IP addresses in "DNS Server 1" and "DNS Server 2"
- Click "Apply"
D-Link routers:
- Open a web browser and visit 192.168.0.1 (or sometimes 192.168.1.1) by entering that IP as the website URL
- Log in with the router admin credentials
- If unique credentials are not listed on the back of your router, D-Link's common default username is admin and the password is left blank
- Go to Setup > Network Settings
- Under "DNS Servers", select "Manual DNS"
- Enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Click "Save Settings"
Telstra Smart Modem:
- Open a web browser and visit 192.168.0.1 by entering that IP as the website URL
- Log in with the router admin password
- Unique credentials are listed on the back of your router
- Go to Advanced > WAN > DNS
- Enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Click "Apply"
Netgear routers:
- Open a browser and visit routerlogin.net by entering that website URL
- Log in with the router admin credentials
- If unique credentials are not listed on the back of your router, Netgear's common default username is admin and password is password
- Select "Internet" from the menu
- Under "Domain Name Server (DNS) Address", choose "Use These DNS Servers"
- Enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Click "Apply"
Eero routers:
- Open the eero app
- Tap the "Settings" tab
- Select "Network Settings"
- Tap "Advanced Settings"
- Select "DNS"
- Choose "Custom" and enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Tap "Save"
Optus Ultra WiFi Modem:
- Open a browser and visit 192.168.0.1 by entering that IP as the website URL
- Log in with the router admin credentials
- Unique credentials are listed on the back of your router
- Go to Advanced > WAN > DNS
- Enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Click "Apply"
Netcomm routers (used by Aussie Broadband):
- Open a browser and go to 192.168.20.1 by entering that IP as the website URL. If no page loads, Netcomm sometimes uses 192.168.1.1 instead.
- Log in with the router admin credentials
- If unique credentials are not listed on the back of your router, Netcomm's common default username is admin and password is admin
- Go to Advanced Settings > WAN
- Under "DNS Server", enter your new DNS server IP addresses
- Click "Apply"