Are you experiencing internet connectivity issues or trying to troubleshoot a problem with your network? One of the first steps in diagnosing network problems is to find your DNS server. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is responsible for translating human-readable domain names, like www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, such as 192.168.0.1.
Why do I need to know my DNS server?
Knowing your DNS server can help you identify and resolve problems related to internet connectivity. By finding your DNS server, you can determine if any issues are related to a specific server or if the problem lies elsewhere in your network setup.
How to find your DNS server:
To find your DNS server, follow these steps:
- Windows users:
- Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “cmd”. Press Enter.
- Type “ipconfig /all” in the Command Prompt and press Enter.
- Look for the “DNS Servers” line under the network adapter you are currently using. The IP address listed next to it is your DNS server.
- Mac users:
- Go to System Preferences by clicking on the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting “System Preferences.
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- Click on “Network. “
- Select your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar.
- Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom-right corner.
- Navigate to the “DNS” tab.
- Your DNS server addresses will be listed under “DNS Servers. “
- Linux users:
- Open a terminal.
- Type “cat /etc/resolv.conf” and press Enter.
- The IP addresses listed after “nameserver” are your DNS servers.
Why are there multiple DNS servers?
In many cases, you will see multiple DNS servers listed. This is because your network may be configured to use primary and secondary DNS servers. The primary server is used by default, while the secondary server acts as a backup in case the primary server is unavailable or experiencing issues.
What if I want to change my DNS server?
If you are experiencing issues with your current DNS server or want to try a different one, you can change it through your network settings. By using a different DNS server, you may potentially improve internet speeds or resolve specific connectivity problems.
To change your DNS server:
- Windows users:
- Open the Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “control”.
- Click on “Network and Internet” followed by “Network and Sharing Center. “
- Click on the active network connection under “View your active networks.
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- In the new window, click on “Properties. “
- Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on “Properties. “
- Select the option to use specific DNS server addresses.