Changing your default DNS server can help improve your internet browsing experience by providing faster and more reliable access to websites. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to change your default DNS server using the Nslookup tool.
What is a DNS Server?
A DNS (Domain Name System) server is responsible for translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. When you type a website name into your browser’s address bar, the DNS server looks up the corresponding IP address associated with that domain name, allowing your browser to connect to the correct web server.
By default, your computer or router uses the DNS server provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, you can choose to use a different DNS server that may offer better performance or additional features.
Using Nslookup to Change Default DNS Server
Nslookup is a command-line tool available in most operating systems that allows you to query DNS servers and retrieve information about domain names. It can also be used to change your default DNS server.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt or Terminal
To begin, open Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on macOS and Linux. You can usually find these applications in the “Accessories” or “Utilities” folder of your operating system.
Step 2: Execute Nslookup Command
Type nslookup followed by the domain name of the website for which you want to change the default DNS server:
$ nslookup example.com
This will display information about the current DNS server being used for resolving that domain.
Step 3: Change the Default DNS Server
To change the default DNS server, you need to specify the IP address of the new DNS server. You can use any public DNS servers such as Google Public DNS (8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1).
Type server, followed by the IP address of the new DNS server:
> server 8.8
This will set your default DNS server to Google Public DNS.
Step 4: Verify the New Default DNS Server
To verify that your default DNS server has been changed successfully, repeat step 2 by executing the nslookup command again for a domain name of your choice.
Conclusion
Changing your default DNS server using Nslookup is a straightforward process that can help improve your internet browsing experience in terms of speed and reliability. By choosing a fast and reliable public DNS server, you can ensure faster website resolution and potentially eliminate common connection issues.
Remember to choose a reputable and well-maintained public DNS server when making this change to ensure a secure and reliable browsing experience.