How Do I Find My Preferred and Alternate DNS Server?

Are you having trouble with your internet connection? One way to troubleshoot this issue is by checking your DNS server settings.

DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses. If you’re experiencing slow browsing or frequent connection drops, it might be time to find your preferred and alternate DNS servers. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process.

Finding Your Preferred DNS Server

To find your preferred DNS server, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel on your computer.
2. Navigate to the “Network and Internet” section.
3. Click on “Network and Sharing Center”.
4. On the left-hand side, click on “Change adapter settings”.
5. A window will open with a list of network connections. Right-click on the network adapter you are currently using and select “Properties”.
6. In the Properties window, scroll down until you find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”.

   Select it and click on the “Properties” button.

7. A new window will appear. In this window, select the option that says “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
8. You will see two fields: Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server. The value in the Preferred DNS server field is your preferred DNS server.

You can now note down the value displayed in the Preferred DNS server field or take a screenshot for future reference.

Finding Your Alternate DNS Server

Your alternate DNS server acts as a backup if your preferred DNS server becomes unavailable. To find your alternate DNS server:

1. Follow steps 1 to 7 from the previous section to open the Properties window for your network adapter.
2. In the Properties window, select the option that says “Use the following DNS server addresses”. The value in the Alternate DNS server field is your alternate DNS server.

Again, note down the value displayed in the Alternate DNS server field or take a screenshot.

Configuring Your DNS Servers

Now that you know your preferred and alternate DNS servers, you can configure them on your computer to improve your internet connection. Here’s how:

1. Follow steps 1 to 5 from the first section to open the Properties window for your network adapter. Select it and click on the “Properties” button.
2. Enter your preferred and alternate DNS server values in their respective fields.
3. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Congratulations! You have successfully found and configured your preferred and alternate DNS servers.

These changes should help improve your internet browsing experience. If you’re still experiencing issues, consider contacting your Internet Service Provider for further assistance.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we learned how to find our preferred and alternate DNS servers. We also learned how to configure these servers on our computer for better internet connectivity.

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot common internet connection issues related to DNS settings. Remember, having a reliable DNS server is crucial for smooth browsing and online activities.