DNS Changes Not Taking Effect

1 Verify DNS Settings Are Correct

First, confirm your DNS servers are actually set correctly:

On Router:

1. Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
2. Navigate to Internet/WAN settings
3. Look for "DNS Server" or "Primary/Secondary DNS"
4. Verify the correct filtering DNS addresses are entered

On Windows Device:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings
2. Click your connection → View additional properties
3. Check "DNS server assignment"
4. Should say "Automatic (DHCP)" if using router DNS

On Mac Device:

1. System Settings → Network → Your connection → Details
2. Click "DNS" tab
3. Should be empty or show router IP if using router DNS

On iOS Device:

1. Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap (i) next to network name
2. Scroll to "DNS"
3. Should show "Automatic" or router IP if using router DNS

2 Flush DNS Cache

Clear cached DNS entries that may be overriding your new settings:

Windows:

ipconfig /flushdns

Open Command Prompt as Administrator, run the command, and restart your computer.

Mac:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Open Terminal, run the command, enter your password, and restart your Mac.

iOS:

1. Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
2. Reset → Reset Network Settings
3. Note: This will forget all Wi-Fi passwords

Android:

1. Settings → Apps → See all apps → Show system
2. Find "Private DNS Provider"
3. Tap "Storage & cache" → Clear cache
4. Or restart device (easier method)

Router:

1. Power off router completely (unplug from power)
2. Wait 30 seconds
3. Power back on and wait 2-3 minutes for full restart

3 Check for DNS Overrides

Some apps and settings bypass your DNS configuration:

Disable DNS over HTTPS (DoH):

1. Settings → Privacy and security → Security
2. Scroll to "Use secure DNS"
3. Toggle OFF or select "With your current service provider"

1. Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Scroll to "DNS over HTTPS"
3. Select "Off"

1. Settings → Privacy, search, and services
2. Scroll to "Security"
3. Toggle OFF "Use secure DNS"

Check for VPN or Proxy Apps:

• VPN apps bypass your DNS settings entirely
• Uninstall or disable any VPN apps
• On iOS: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
• On Android: Settings → Network → VPN

Mobile Data:

4 Test DNS Configuration

Verify your DNS filtering is actually active:

Method 1: Command Line Test

nslookup example.com

Look at the "Address" line at the top. It should show your filtering DNS server (e.g., 208.67.222.123 for OpenDNS), NOT your ISP's DNS (e.g., not 8.8.8.8).

Method 2: Web-Based Test

1. Visit https://www.dnsleaktest.com/
2. Click "Extended test"
3. Check if results show your filtering DNS provider
4. Should show "OpenDNS" or "CleanBrowsing," not your ISP

Method 3: Block Test

1. Try visiting a site that should be blocked (e.g., adult content test page)
2. OpenDNS users can test with: internetbadguys.com
3. Should see a block page, not the actual site

5 Advanced Troubleshooting

If basic steps didn't work, try these advanced solutions:

Set Static DNS on Router (Recommended):

1. Log into router admin
2. Find "Internet" or "WAN" settings
3. Change from "Automatic DNS" to "Manual/Static DNS"
4. Enter filtering DNS servers
5. Save and reboot router

Disable IPv6 (Temporary Test):

Some routers don't properly pass DNS settings to IPv6. Temporarily disable IPv6 to test:

1. Router settings → IPv6 → Disable
2. Save and reboot
3. Test if filtering now works
4. If yes, contact your filtering DNS provider about IPv6 support

Check Firmware Updates:

1. Router admin → Firmware or System
2. Check for updates
3. Update if available (older firmware has bugs)

Factory Reset Router (Last Resort):

1. Hold router's reset button for 30 seconds
2. Router will restart with factory defaults
3. Reconfigure everything from scratch
4. Apply DNS settings again