Find Your ISP’s DNS Server: The Complete Guide

When it comes to connecting to the internet, one of the most crucial aspects that we often overlook is our DNS server. A DNS server translates the domain names we type into our web browsers into their corresponding IP addresses. And while your Internet Service Provider (ISP) automatically assigns you a DNS server, you may want to switch to a faster and more secure one. However, finding your ISP’s DNS server can be a challenging task, especially for beginners.

In this comprehensive guide, we will show you step-by-step how to find your ISP’s DNS server on different platforms. Whether you’re on a Windows computer, Mac, Android, or iPhone, we’ve got you covered. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of finding your ISP’s DNS server, let’s first understand what DNS is and why it matters.

So, if you’re looking to improve your internet speed and security by changing your DNS server or simply curious to learn more about DNS, keep reading to learn more.

What is DNS and why does it matter?

Domain Name System, or DNS, is like the phonebook of the internet. It’s a system that matches website names to their unique IP addresses, making it possible for users to access them. Without DNS, you’d have to remember the IP address of every website you visit. Luckily, DNS takes care of that for you.

One of the reasons why DNS matters is its ability to speed up your browsing experience. When you type in a website address, your browser sends a request to a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address. If the DNS server responds quickly, your browser can connect to the website faster. Fast DNS servers can help reduce the time it takes for websites to load.

DNS is also crucial for security reasons. Hackers can hijack your DNS and redirect you to fake websites that look legitimate, but are designed to steal your personal information. This is called a DNS hijacking attack. A reliable DNS server can help prevent such attacks by blocking access to malicious websites.

Understanding DNS: The Basics

Before we dive into how to find your ISP’s DNS server, it’s essential to understand the basics of DNS. DNS stands for Domain Name System, which translates domain names into IP addresses. In other words, it’s like a phone book for the internet. When you type a website address in your browser, DNS converts that address into a machine-readable IP address to access the website’s content.

There are two main components of DNS: the resolver and the nameserver. The resolver is your computer or device that sends requests to the nameserver to resolve a domain name to an IP address. The nameserver is responsible for storing the IP address associated with a domain name and returning it to the resolver when requested.

When you first connect to the internet, your device is configured with a default DNS server provided by your ISP. However, you can change the DNS server to improve internet speed, security, and privacy. Now that you understand the basics of DNS let’s explore how to find your ISP’s DNS server.

Why DNS is Important for Your Internet Connection

DNS, or Domain Name System, plays a crucial role in the functioning of the internet. It acts as a phonebook for the internet by translating the human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. This translation is necessary for your computer to connect to a website or server on the internet.

Without DNS, accessing websites by typing in IP addresses would be difficult and confusing for most users. It would also be harder for websites to move or change servers, as users would need to be given the new IP address rather than simply the new domain name.

Furthermore, choosing the right DNS server can have a significant impact on the speed and reliability of your internet connection. Some DNS servers may be faster or more efficient than others, leading to a better internet browsing experience. Additionally, using a reputable DNS server can help protect against malicious websites and online threats.

The Benefits of Using a Reliable DNS Server

Improved Internet Speed: A reliable DNS server can improve your internet speed. This is because a fast DNS lookup time means your computer can access websites and content more quickly.

Better Security: A reliable DNS server can also help protect your computer from malware and phishing attempts. This is because a secure DNS server can block access to dangerous websites that could harm your computer.

Increased Stability: A reliable DNS server can also provide increased stability for your internet connection. This is because a reliable DNS server will always be available and able to handle a high volume of requests.

How to check your current DNS server?

Before you can change your DNS server, you need to know which DNS server you are currently using. There are several methods to check your current DNS server:

Method 1: Use Command Prompt (Windows)
Open Command Prompt.
Type “ipconfig /all” and press Enter.
Look for the “DNS Servers” line to see your current DNS server address.
Close Command Prompt.

Method 2: Use System Preferences (Mac)
Click the Apple menu.
Select “System Preferences” and click “Network”.
Select your network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
Click the “Advanced” button and select the “DNS” tab.
Look for your current DNS server address in the list.
Close System Preferences.

Method 3: Use Router Configuration Page
Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar.
Log in to your router with your username and password.
Look for the DNS server settings page.
Find your current DNS server address.
Log out of your router.

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Tool
Download and install a third-party tool such as DNS Benchmark or DNS Jumper.
Open the tool and select the “Nameservers” or “DNS Servers” tab.
Look for your current DNS server address in the list.
Close the tool.

Once you have determined your current DNS server address, you can move on to changing it if necessary. It’s important to note that changing your DNS server can have an impact on your internet connection, so be sure to choose a reliable and fast DNS server.

Checking Your DNS Server on Windows

If you’re running Windows, there are a few different ways to check your DNS server:

1. Command Prompt: Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “cmd” and pressing Enter. Type “ipconfig /all” and look for “DNS Servers” in the output.
2. Settings: Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, then click on “Network & Internet” and select “Change adapter options”. Right-click on your active network connection and select “Properties”. Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and then click on “Properties”. Look for the DNS server addresses in the window that appears.
3. Third-Party Tools: There are a variety of third-party tools available that can help you check your DNS server, such as DNS Benchmark, DNS Jumper, or Simple DNS Plus.

It’s important to note that if you’re connected to a VPN or using a proxy, your DNS server may be different than the one listed on your network connection.

How to find your ISP’s DNS server on Windows?

If you want to use your ISP’s DNS server, you’ll need to find out what it is first. Here’s how to do it on Windows:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “cmd” in the Run box.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type “ipconfig /all” and hit Enter.

Step 3: Look for the “DNS Servers” line. This will display your current DNS server, which is most likely your ISP’s server.

Step 4: If the DNS server listed is not your ISP’s server, you can try contacting your ISP’s customer support to get the correct DNS server information.

Once you have your ISP’s DNS server, you can change your DNS settings to use it for faster and more reliable internet browsing.

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

• Step 1: Click on the Windows Start menu and type “cmd” in the search bar to open the Command Prompt.
• Step 2: Type “nslookup” followed by a space and then the domain name of any website you want to use as a test. For example, “nslookup google.com”.
• Step 3: Look for the “DNS Server” line in the output. This will display the IP address of your current DNS server.
• Step 4: To find your ISP’s DNS server, type “nslookup” followed by a space and then any website domain name that you know is hosted by your ISP. For example, if you use Comcast, you can try “nslookup xfinity.com”.
• Step 5: Look for the “DNS Server” line in the output. This will display the IP address of your ISP’s DNS server.

This method is quick and easy, and it will provide you with the necessary information in a matter of seconds. However, it requires you to know the domain name of a website that is hosted by your ISP. If you don’t know this information, you can use one of the other methods described in this article.

Method 2: Using Network and Sharing Center

Step 1: Click on the Start menu and go to the Control Panel. Select the Network and Sharing Center.

Step 2: In the Network and Sharing Center, you will see the name of your current network connection. Click on the name of the connection to open the Wi-Fi Status window.

Step 3: In the Wi-Fi Status window, click on the Properties button. A new window will open with the properties of your network connection.

Step 4: In the Properties window, select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option and click on the Properties button.

Step 5: In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window, select the Use the following DNS server addresses option. The addresses of your DNS servers will be listed below.

By following these steps, you can easily find the DNS server addresses that your computer is currently using.

How to find your ISP’s DNS server on Mac?

Method 1: Using System Preferences

You can find your ISP’s DNS server on a Mac by following these steps:

1. Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences”.
2. Click on “Network” and select your active network connection.
3. Click on “Advanced” and select the “DNS” tab.

Method 2: Using Terminal

You can also use Terminal to find your ISP’s DNS server by using the “scutil” command. Open Terminal and type “scutil –dns” to display your current DNS configuration, including the IP addresses of your DNS servers.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps

There are various third-party apps available on the Mac App Store that can help you find your ISP’s DNS server, such as “DNS Lookup” and “Network Utility”. These apps provide a user-friendly interface for checking your DNS server settings.

Method 1: Using System Preferences

If you are using a Mac and want to find out your ISP’s DNS server, you can follow these steps:

• Step 1: Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.
• Step 2: Click on the “Network” icon.
• Step 3: Select your active network connection from the left-hand sidebar.
• Step 4: Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom-right corner.
• Step 5: Click on the “DNS” tab.

On the DNS tab, you will see a list of DNS servers. The DNS server at the top of the list is the one your Mac is currently using. The other servers in the list are fallback options that your Mac will use if the first server is not available.

By following these steps, you can easily find out your ISP’s DNS server on a Mac.

Method 2: Using Terminal

To find your ISP’s DNS server using Terminal, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open Terminal by searching for it in Spotlight or by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
• Step 2: Type the command scutil –dns and press Enter. This will display your current DNS server configuration.
• Step 3: Look for the line that starts with “nameserver“. The IP address following this line is your current DNS server.
• Step 4: If there are multiple IP addresses listed under “nameserver”, the topmost IP address is usually the primary DNS server used by your Mac.

It’s important to note that some Internet Service Providers use different DNS servers for different regions or users. Therefore, the DNS server listed in your Mac’s network settings may not always be the same as the DNS server used by your ISP.

If you need to change your DNS server, you can do so by going to System Preferences > Network, selecting your network connection, clicking on the “Advanced” button, and then selecting the “DNS” tab. From there, you can add or remove DNS servers as needed.

Overall, checking your ISP’s DNS server on a Mac can be done quickly and easily using either System Preferences or Terminal.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps

There are several third-party apps that can help you find your ISP’s DNS server on your Mac. One popular option is Network Utility, which is a built-in app on your Mac.

To access Network Utility, you can use the Spotlight search function by pressing Command + Space on your keyboard and typing “Network Utility.” Once you have opened the app, go to the Traceroute tab and enter your domain name in the text field. This will show you the IP address of the DNS server.

Another option is to use Command Prompt for Mac, also known as Terminal. To do this, open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder and type in the command nslookup -type=ns yourdomain.com. This will display the name and IP address of your ISP’s DNS server.

Finally, you can also use third-party apps like DNS Lookup or IP Scanner to find your ISP’s DNS server on your Mac. These apps provide a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily search for DNS information.

How to find your ISP’s DNS server on Android?

Introduction: DNS servers are used to convert human-friendly website names into IP addresses that computers can understand. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns a default DNS server to your device when you connect to the internet.

Method 1: Using Wi-Fi settings: Open the Wi-Fi settings on your Android device, long-press on the connected network, and select “Modify network.” Scroll down to “Advanced options” and select “IP settings.” The DNS server information should be visible here.

Method 2: Using a third-party app: There are many apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you find your DNS server information. One such app is “DNS Changer – Trust DNS” which displays the DNS server information in a user-friendly manner.

Method 3: Using a terminal emulator app: If you have a rooted Android device, you can install a terminal emulator app like “Termux” and use the command “getprop net.dns1” to view the DNS server information.

Method 4: Using a web browser: You can also use a web browser to find your DNS server information. Open your preferred browser and search for “What is my DNS server?” The search results will display the DNS server information.

Conclusion: By using any of these methods, you can easily find your ISP’s DNS server on your Android device.

Checking Your DNS Server on Android

Step 1: Open the settings app on your Android device.

Step 2: Tap on Wi-Fi & Internet or Connections depending on your Android version.

Step 3: Select the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.

Step 4: Tap on the gear icon or the i icon next to the network name.

Step 5: Scroll down and look for the DNS section to see the DNS server address assigned by your ISP.

How to find your ISP’s DNS server on iPhone?

DNS (Domain Name System) is an essential part of the internet infrastructure that helps translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses. If you want to find out which DNS server your iPhone is currently using, you can do so by following a few simple steps.

Method 1: Checking Wi-Fi Network Settings
One way to find your ISP’s DNS server on an iPhone is to check the Wi-Fi network settings. Open the Settings app, tap on Wi-Fi, and then tap on the information icon next to your Wi-Fi network. Scroll down to the DNS section, and you’ll see the IP address of your DNS server.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party App
There are also several third-party apps available in the App Store that can help you identify your DNS server. For example, the “DNS Changer – Trust DNS” app allows you to check your current DNS server and change it if needed.

Method 3: Using a Terminal Emulator App
If you’re comfortable with using a terminal emulator app, you can find your DNS server by running a few commands. Install a terminal emulator app like “Termius” and connect to your iPhone using SSH. Then, run the command “cat /etc/resolv.conf” to display your DNS server address.

Method 4: Contacting Your ISP
Finally, if you’re unable to find your DNS server using any of the above methods, you can always contact your ISP’s customer support and ask them directly for the information.

Method 1: Using Wi-Fi Settings

Step 1: Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone and tap on “Wi-Fi.”

Step 2: Find the name of the Wi-Fi network you are connected to and tap on the “i” icon next to it.

Step 3: Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on “Configure DNS.”

Step 4: Select “Manual” and tap on “Add Server.”

Step 5: Enter your ISP’s DNS server addresses and tap on “Save” to apply the changes.

This method allows you to change your DNS server settings directly from your Wi-Fi settings, making it a quick and easy option for finding your ISP’s DNS server on your iPhone.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps

• If you’re not keen on using the default feature on your phone to block unwanted calls and texts, there are several third-party apps you can use. One of the most popular ones is Truecaller, which has over 200 million active users worldwide. This app allows you to block calls and messages from unknown numbers, as well as to identify and block spam calls and messages.

• Mr. Number is another popular app that can help you block unwanted calls and texts. It has a feature that allows you to create a blacklist of numbers, and any calls or messages from those numbers will be automatically blocked.

• If you’re looking for an app that provides more advanced features, Call Control may be the right choice for you. It not only allows you to block unwanted calls and texts, but it also has a feature that can block robocalls and telemarketers. In addition, it provides a detailed report on the calls and texts that have been blocked.

• For those who prefer a simple and straightforward app, Hiya is a great option. It allows you to block unwanted calls and texts with just a few clicks. It also has a feature that can identify and block spam calls and messages, making it an efficient tool to keep your phone free of unwanted communications.

• If you’re willing to pay for an app that provides more advanced features, Norton Mobile Security is worth considering. In addition to blocking unwanted calls and texts, it provides protection against malware and online threats, as well as a feature that allows you to locate and lock your phone in case it gets lost or stolen.

These are just a few examples of the many third-party apps available for blocking unwanted calls and texts. Before choosing an app, make sure to read reviews and compare features to find the one that best suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions