This guide will explore how to find out the current DNS server you are using in 2023.
In today’s world, the majority of people use the internet for various purposes, including browsing different websites. If you frequently visit websites, you might be familiar with the Domain Name System (DNS), which is a crucial process that matches domain names to their corresponding IP addresses. DNS is a vital system that enables us to access various web pages on our web browsers.
What Is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses. Every device connected to the internet is assigned a unique IP address, which is used to identify the device and communicate with other devices on the internet. However, IP addresses can be difficult for people to remember, which is why domain names were created as human-readable names that correspond to IP addresses.
When you type a domain name into your web browser, your computer sends a request to a DNS server to translate the domain name into its corresponding IP address. The DNS server then responds with the IP address, and your computer can use that IP address to connect to the web server hosting the website. In this way, DNS enables us to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names rather than long and complex IP addresses.
What About Custom DNS?
Custom DNS, also known as third-party DNS, refers to the use of DNS servers other than the default DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Instead of using the DNS servers provided by your ISP, you can manually configure your device or router to use a different DNS server, such as Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS, or OpenDNS.
There are several reasons why you might want to use custom DNS servers. For example, some custom DNS servers claim to offer faster browsing speeds and improved security and privacy features compared to default DNS servers. Additionally, custom DNS servers can sometimes help you bypass geographical restrictions or access blocked websites.
To use custom DNS servers, you will need to manually configure your device or router’s network settings. The specific steps for doing this will vary depending on your device or router model and the DNS server you want to use. However, in general, you will need to locate the DNS settings in your device’s network settings or your router’s web-based configuration page and enter the IP addresses of the custom DNS servers you want to use.
What DNS Am I Using?
There are various ways to determine the DNS server that your device is currently using. Below are some effective methods to help you check your DNS server on a Windows device. It is recommended to carefully follow the instructions provided, as we will be using the Command Prompt (CMD) to find the DNS server.
1. Short & Easy tutorial
To determine what DNS you are currently using, you can follow these steps:
- On your device, open a web browser.
- Type “what is my DNS” in the search bar and hit enter.
- Several websites will appear in the search results that can display your DNS information. Click on any one of them.
- The website will automatically detect and display the DNS server you are currently using.
Alternatively, you can use the command prompt on your device to find out the DNS server you are using. Here are the steps:
- Open the command prompt on your device (on Windows, press the Windows key + R and type “cmd” in the Run dialog box, then press enter).
- Type “ipconfig /all” in the command prompt and hit enter.
- Look for the “DNS Servers” or “DNS Resolver” entry in the output. The IP address listed under this entry is the DNS server you are currently using.
2. Tutorial with images
Check DNS On Windows
To check the DNS server you are using on Windows, you need to use CMD. Right-click on the Start Button and then choose ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’.
Now on the Command Prompt, you need to enter the following command
ipconfig /all | findstr /R "DNS Servers"
This command will list the current DNS server that you are using. You can also use the other method to know the DNS server on Windows. For that, you need to enter the following command given below.
nslookup google.com
Well, you can use any website domain instead of Google.com. The command will list the current DNS server. So, these are the two CMD commands to know DNS on a Windows computer.
What DNS am I Using? Mac & Linux
Well, on Mac and & Linux-based computers, you need to enter the same CMD command to know what DNS server you are using. Simply enter the command given below to do nslookup on any website.
nslookup google.com
Again, you can replace Google.com with any website of your choice. So, this is how you can check the DNS server on Mac & Linux computers.
Check DNS Server On Android
There are several network scanner apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you check the DNS server on your Android device. You can choose any of these apps to identify the DNS server being used. One such app is Network Info II, which is a free app that does not display any ads.
On Network Info II, you must look at the WiFi tab and then check the DNS1 And DNS2 entries. These are the DNS addresses your phone is using.
What DNS am I using? iPhone
Similar to Android, iOS also offers various network scanner apps that can help you identify the DNS server being used. One such popular app is Network Analyzer, which provides a plethora of useful information about your WiFi network.
So, on iOS, you can use Network Analyzer and then look at the ‘DNS Server IP’.
Check the DNS Server Of the Router
For those who are unaware, the DNS server used by the router is typically assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, it is possible to change the DNS server by following the guidelines outlined in this article. If you wish to determine the DNS server that your router is currently using, you can access your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and log in using the appropriate username and password.
Once you have accessed your router’s IP address and logged in, you will be directed to the router homepage. Depending on the router mode, you will need to locate either the Wireless Network or Network tab. Within this section, you will find options for DNS 1 and DNS 2 entries. If you wish to change the DNS server being used by your router, you can update the DNS address by entering the new values in these fields.
Best Free Public DNS Servers
By default, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides you with a DNS server, which can often result in various web errors and slower internet speeds. As a result, it is recommended that you switch to public DNS servers for improved speed and security. There are numerous free public DNS servers available that offer faster browsing speeds and enhanced security features. Additionally, some public DNS servers are capable of unblocking blocked content on the internet.
Here are some of the best free public DNS servers available:
- Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
- Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1)
- OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220)
- Comodo Secure DNS (8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20)
- Quad9 (9.9.9.9)
All of these DNS servers are free to use and provide fast and reliable browsing speeds with enhanced security features.
How To Change DNS Servers on Windows and Android?
That’s it; you are done! This is how you can find out what DNS server you are using. I hope this article helped you! Share it with your friends also.
