How to Change DNS Settings on a Chromebook

What is DNS and why change it?

DNS, or Domain Name System, translates the website names you type into the numeric IP addresses that computers use to connect. Your internet service provider assigns a resolver by default, but that server may be slow, prone to outages, or even track your browsing. Changing to a public DNS service can give you faster responses, better reliability, and additional privacy. On a Chromebook, this is done per network connection, so you have control over which resolver each network uses.

The DNS process is fundamental to almost everything you do online. Whenever you visit a website, send an email, or stream a video, your device needs to look up the address of the server it wants to reach. If your DNS resolver is slow or unreliable, you may experience delays, timeouts, or errors even when your internet connection is fast. By choosing a well-maintained DNS provider, you can often reduce these issues and also gain features like content filtering or anti-phishing protection.

ChromeOS is built with security in mind, offering features like verified boot and sandboxing. Changing DNS does not weaken these protections if done correctly. To learn more about the security layers in ChromeOS, see our security overview.

How to change DNS on a Chromebook

The process is straightforward and can be completed in less than a minute. Here are the detailed steps:

First, click on the time in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Then, click on the network icon, which looks like a Wi-Fi symbol or an Ethernet plug, depending on your connection. This will open the network settings for your current connection. If you are connected to multiple networks, you will need to select the one you want to modify.

After selecting the network, you will see a dialog with several tabs. Click on the 'Network' tab to reveal the configuration options. Look for the 'Name servers' section. By default, it is set to 'Automatic name servers'. To change this, click on the drop-down menu and select 'Custom name servers'. You can then enter the IP addresses of the DNS servers you want to use. You may enter both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, separated by commas or spaces. If you are unsure about which addresses to use, you can look up the DNS settings of a reputable public DNS provider, but you can also leave IPv6 fields blank if your network does not use IPv6.

After entering the addresses, click 'Connect' or 'Apply' to save your changes. The network will reconnect, and your new DNS settings will take effect immediately. You can verify the change by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com, but you may also want to test resolution speed using online tools.

Per-network and automatic DNS

The DNS setting you change applies only to the network you modify. If you connect to a different Wi-Fi network, that network uses its own automatic DNS unless you change it there as well. There is no global DNS setting in ChromeOS that applies to all networks at once. If you want to apply the same DNS to every connection, you can configure it at your router level or use a VPN. Many routers allow you to set DNS servers for all devices on your network, which is an efficient approach if you have multiple devices.

For wired connections, the steps are similar. Open the Ethernet settings and find the Name servers field. This is particularly useful if you use a USB-C to Ethernet adapter or a docking station. If you need help connecting to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, check our guides on setting up Wi-Fi or using Ethernet.

Keep in mind that some networks, such as public hotspots or corporate networks, may force the use of their DNS servers for security or policy reasons. In such cases, your custom DNS settings might not take effect. You can test by changing the settings and then visiting a site that you know is blocked by the default DNS.

IPv4 and IPv6 DNS addresses

DNS servers are available in two types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 addresses are the classic format, like 8.8.8.8, while IPv6 addresses are longer and use hexadecimal characters, like 2001:4860:4860::8888. Many modern networks support IPv6, and using an IPv6 DNS server can sometimes be faster because it reduces translation overhead. However, if your network does not have IPv6 connectivity, you should only enter IPv4 addresses.

On your Chromebook, you can enter both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for each DNS server. The order matters: the system will try them in the order you enter them. If you have a reliable IPv6 connection, you might put IPv6 addresses first. But if you are unsure, it is safer to use IPv4-only, as it is universally supported.

You can find the IPv6 addresses of many public DNS providers on their official websites. If you are not comfortable with IPv6, simply leave those fields empty and enter only IPv4 addresses. The system will fall back to the next server if one fails.

Advanced DNS control with Linux

If you need more granular control, such as configuring DNS over TLS or per-interface rules, you can enable Linux on your Chromebook. Linux provides a full development environment and access to command-line tools. You can edit system files like /etc/resolv.conf or use systemd-resolved to manage settings. This approach is best for developers and power users who want to customize their DNS stack.

To get started with Linux, see our guide on setting up Linux programming environment. Linux is available on all Chromebooks that support it, but you may want a model with more RAM for smoother operation, as discussed in our RAM guide.

With Linux, you can also install tools like dnsmasq or bind to run your own local DNS resolver. This can improve privacy by caching queries and reducing the load on external servers. However, setting up such tools requires advanced knowledge of networking and system administration.

Troubleshooting DNS changes

If you enter an incorrect DNS address, you may lose internet access. Always double-check the IP addresses you enter. A common mistake is to enter a single IP address that does not belong to a valid DNS server. You can quickly revert to automatic DNS by following the same steps and selecting 'Automatic name servers'. Then click 'Connect' or 'Apply'.

If you are using a managed Chromebook from work or school, your administrator may have disabled the ability to change DNS settings. In that case, the Name servers option is greyed out or missing entirely. You will need to contact your IT department to request changes or ask for a workaround.

Sometimes, even after changing DNS, you may still experience slow browsing. This could be due to browser caching or other network issues. Try clearing your browser cache or restarting your Chromebook. If issues persist, our Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide covers common problems like weak signals and connection drops. For Ethernet issues, see our Ethernet guide.

DNS and Chromebook security

Changing DNS does not replace a VPN if you need to hide your internet activity from your ISP. However, it can prevent some forms of DNS hijacking and phishing. Many public DNS services also offer built-in protection against malicious domains, which can enhance your security. ChromeOS already includes robust security features such as verified boot, sandboxing, and data encryption, as highlighted in the ChromeOS security overview.

Additionally, ChromeOS devices receive automatic updates for 10 years from platform release, which keeps the system patched against vulnerabilities. This policy is stated in Google's Auto Update policy, which you can find in the sources section of this article. Regular updates ensure that your device remains secure and that your DNS settings continue to work with the latest features.

If you are using a Chromebook for business, you may want to enforce DNS policies across your fleet. ChromeOS Enterprise and Education Upgrade allow administrators to manage DNS settings remotely through the Google Admin console. This is especially useful for organizations that want to ensure all devices use the same secure DNS resolvers.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does changing DNS speed up my Chromebook?

It can. A faster DNS resolver reduces the time it takes to translate domain names, which often improves page load times, especially for frequently visited sites. The improvement varies depending on your ISP's default server and the one you switch to.

Can I use a custom DNS on my school Chromebook?

If your Chromebook is managed by a school, the administrator may restrict DNS changes. Look for the Name servers option in settings; if it is greyed out or missing, you need permission from the IT department.

How do I reset DNS settings to automatic?

Open the same network settings menu, select the network, and under 'Name servers' choose 'Automatic name servers'. Click 'Connect' or 'Apply' to save the change. This reverts to the DNS provided by your network.

Does DNS affect my Chromebook's performance?

DNS mainly impacts how quickly your browser can find a site's IP address. It does not affect CPU, memory, or graphics performance. If you notice slow browsing, DNS is one factor to consider, but not the only one.

Can I use DNS over HTTPS (DoH) on ChromeOS?

ChromeOS does not expose a native DoH setting for network connections as of now. However, you can enable DoH in the Chrome browser's security settings or use a VPN that supports it. This encrypts your DNS queries for extra privacy.

What are some reliable public DNS servers?

Many public DNS providers offer free services, such as Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, and OpenDNS. You can visit their official websites to get the current IP addresses. When choosing, consider factors like privacy policy, speed, and any extra features like content blocking.