Use alternative DNS

Parts of this guide are out of date and will be updated in due course.

Windows

  1. Right-click the Start button, bottom left of the screen, and choose Run.
  2. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK.
  3. Identify your network connection – either wireless (Wi-Fi), or Ethernet if you use a cable – right-click it, and choose Properties.
  4. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
  6. In the box for Preferred DNS server, type the first IP address of your chosen provider, such as 8.8.8.8 for Google (for more popular DNS providers, see the section below).
  7. In the box for Alternative DNS server, type the second IP address, such as 8.8.4.4 for Google.
  8. Click OK, then OK again.

macOS Monterey and earlier

  1. Click Apple menu > System Preferences.
  2. Click Network.
  3. On the left, select your connection – most likely Wi-Fi, but possibly Ethernet – it will show a green dot.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Click the DNS tab.
  6. Beneath the DNS Servers box, click the plus (+) button.
  7. Type the first IP address of your chosen provider, such as 8.8.8.8 for Google, and press Return on your keyboard (for more popular DNS providers, see the section below).
  8. Click plus (+) again, type the second IP address, such as 8.8.4.4 for Google, and press Return.
  9. Click OK followed by Apply.

Popular DNS providers

Case study

Ostensibly for the safety of its customers, the Internet provider TalkTalk blocks remote support services like LogMeIn and TeamViewer because they can be used by scammers to take control of your computer, if you let them. But this hampers legitimate users — including technicians like me, for whom screen sharing is a great way to provide help sooner, reduce carbon emissions, and help people further afield. I have a separate guide to turning off this block for your broadband connection.

Alternatively, because the block is implemented in something called the Domain Name System (DNS), you can circumvent it by setting your computer to use an alternative DNS provider as detailed above. This should have no adverse affect on your service — in fact, many enthusiasts already prefer alternative DNS over that of their broadband provider, for various reasons. But you can revert the change in future if you need to.