If your internet feels dull or buffering is running you to the wall, the problem may not be your connection speed – this may be your DNS.
Most people use their internet provider’s default DNS server, but they are often slow, less private and less reliable than options. However, there are some easy tricks and tips that you can use to speed up your connection.
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Change your DNS provider
One of the simplest and most effective tricks is to switch to the third party provider from your ISP’s default DNS server. Many options are fast and more secure:
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Fast, privacy-centric)
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (reliable, well -supported)
- Quad9: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112 (fast, strong security, privacy-centric)
- Openns: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 (Alternative materials add filtering and safety features)

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How to change DNS server settings on windows 11
Learn the best way to change the DNS server on your Windows 11.
You can make this change in one of the two ways:
- Rooter: This applies new DNS settings to each device connected to your home network. This is the most efficient way of changing DNS for your entire home.
- Individual equipment: If your router does not allow changes in DNS (such as many ISP-provided gates), you can still change DNS settings on your computer, phone or tablet.
This small change can reduce the time it takes to load websites and apps, especially if your current DNS is underperforming underperforming.
4
Enable DNS on https (doh)
Changing your DNS server can speed up things, but encrypting your DNS traffic is another layer of profit: privacy. Traditional DNS questions are sent to plain text, which means that someone else on your ISP or network can see which websites you are trying to reach.
DNS on https (doh) encrys these questions, protects its browsing habits from snuping.
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Most modern browser DOHs like Firefox, Chrome and Edge support.
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Many operating systems, such as Windows 11, and some routers support DOH.
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Cloudflare, Google, and other DNS providers support encrypted DNS by default.
Turn on this feature is usually a case of togling a setting in the network settings of your browser or operating system. For example, you can easily enable DNS on https in Windows 11 with a few clicks. According to the above, if your operating system does not support the native DOH, you can use one of the alternative DNS providers instead, as they will usually encryp your DNS query.
3
Use a sharp DNS server for your location
All DNS providers are not the same everywhere. Depending on the routing path, server load and geographical location, some may be sharp or more reliable in your area. To find the best option for your field, you can use free tools to be benchmarking DNS performance.
- DNS Speed ​​Test Benchmark: An easy online DNS test tool shows the fastest DNS speed for your specific location. Once you run your test, press the clipboard icon to copy the DNS information for the fastest server for easy use!
- Dnsperf: A web-based comparison site shows global and regional DNS performance.
After identifying the fastest DNS for your region, you can manually switch it to the website and app accountability for noticeable improvement. Note that desktops and command line tools are like Name, NameAnd DNS benchmark of GRCBut these two online DNS checkers are usually useful and are sufficient enough to detect your fastest DNS provider.
2
Manually set DNS on streaming devices, gaming console, smart TV, and more
If you use devices such as Roku, Fire TV, or Smart TV and you cannot change DNS settings at the router level (due to a lock-down ISP gateway like AT&T people), you can set DNS manually on each device.
Most streaming hardware and gaming console allow you to set a stable IP address and manually enter DNS server. This can help reduce buffering, especially for high-bitrate video streaming and speed up app loading time.
This is a little more manual work, but if you stream too much and cannot modify the router settings of your network then it is worth it. I cannot provide a specific phase to replace DNS on each device here, but “(device name) a simple internet search to replace DNS settings” should help you find what you need.

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I stopped buffering on my smart TV with these simple setting changes
My smart TV is no longer buffer during playback, thanks to these settings.
1
Flush your DNS cache
Sometimes, your computer or device will store chronic or incorrect DNS information, leading to slow site loading or errors. Flushing your DNS cache forces your system to re -queries the DNS server and often resolves strange connectivity issues.
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Stretch,
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Open the command prompt as administrator.
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Type
ipconfig /flushdns
And press enter,
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Mac OS,
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Open terminal
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Type
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
And press enter,
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This does not change your DNS settings, but can help fix the problems caused by old DNS data. You can also see and flush your DNS cash on Linux, although this process varies depending on your Linux distro.
You do not need to be a networking specialist to take advantage of these DNS tweex. Cloudflare from your ISP’s default DNS can improve as simple as rapid loading time, low buffering, and even confidentiality as simple.