Windows 10: Unable to change DNS servers in Windows 10 Home & Pro

Good afternoon all,

I've been trying to change DNS servers for the best part of a day but Windows 10 (both Home & Pro) is steadfastly resisting my attempts.

I've set the IPv4 adapter settings for both Google and OpenDNS servers but when I run the DNS Leak Test (dnsleaktest.com) it always displays my ISP's DNS servers. I don't get this problem with either macOS or Linux.

I've run gpedit.msc (on Pro) to enable 'Turn off smart multi-homed name resolution', then re-booted, but the result is always the same - leak test shows ISP's DNS servers.

Ok, this isn't a major issue when I'm connect to my ISP, but it rather defeats the object when I use VPN.

Am I missing something? Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction *Smile

TIA,

Steve

:)

 

The DNS server might be having problems. Error Code: INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND

It's not clear what you mean by "tried the comments suggested," but generally the DNS server used by most home users is the one provided by their Internet Service Provider (ISP).

You can check with your ISP's support desk to see if they have been having issues and if so when that might be resolved.

You can also change the DNS server you use to something more reliable, such as those provided by Google or OpenDNS.

Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

If you want to change DNS servers, you can do this on a per-computer basis or make the change in your router, which will change the DNS servers used by all of your computers.

Directions for changing DNS servers on a Windows 10 computer are here:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-...

If you want to change DNS servers in your router, please provide the make and specific model of the router.

 

Win 8 Phone DNS settings will they be available for manual configuration?

Try changing the DNS settings on your router at home. Leave it to DHCP from your ISP and only change the DNS to a public DNS server.



Unfortunately this will only solve your problem at home.

 

Have you tried testing it on a VPN link? It may be some kind of ISP policy that's preventing reassignment when you go direct through their network and not through a VPN tunnel. Just checked through a tutorial and saw that you have to do this for both IPv4 and IPv6. Windows 10 uses IPv6 preferentially, when both IPv4 and IPv6 are available. Could it be that you do have access to IPv6, and have only set "Smart DNS" for IPv4? Please check and see. That would be a perfect explanation for why this is happening.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

Eureka! The answer in the end is simple - change the DNS servers in my router. This I've done and Windows now behaves itself. It's a good solution in that it works for all devices - Win 10, macOS, Linux, iOS, etc - but it's still a workaround for Win 10.

But thanks for the suggestion Ed, because it got me thinking about IPv6 and that led me into the router to see what it is doing about IPv6, and then I spotted the option to configure DNS manually..... *Smile

 

You're very welcome finnfire. Glad you got it sorted! Best wishes for smooth sailing for a while, too!
--Ed--