Slow internet often isn't actually slow internet. It's slow DNS. Each website you visit requires a DNS lookup first to convert the domain name to an IP address. If that step takes 2 seconds, everything feels slow even with fast bandwidth.
Switching to a fast DNS provider is one of the easiest free internet speed boosts.
Test your current DNS speed
First, see how bad your current DNS is. Open a terminal or command prompt and type:
nslookup google.com
If the response takes more than 50ms, your DNS is slow. Most ISP DNS servers are sluggish, hovering around 50-200ms per lookup. Cloudflare and Google DNS are usually under 20ms.
Switch to Cloudflare DNS
Cloudflare runs the fastest public DNS service. The IPs are easy to remember:
- 1.1.1.1 – Primary
- 1.0.0.1 – Secondary
Google's DNS is also solid:
- 8.8.8.8 – Primary
- 8.8.4.4 – Secondary
Cloudflare is usually faster. Google is more widely cached so it might have specific domains slightly faster. Pick one and go.
Change DNS on Windows
Right-click the network icon in your taskbar. Pick Network and Internet Settings. Click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Scroll to DNS server assignment and click Edit.
Pick Manual. Turn on IPv4. Enter Cloudflare's addresses – 1.1.1.1 in Preferred, 1.0.0.1 in Alternate. Save. New DNS is active.
Change DNS on Mac
Open System Settings > Network. Click your active connection. Click Details next to your network name. Pick the DNS tab.
Click the plus icon. Add 1.1.1.1. Click plus again, add 1.0.0.1. Drag them to the top so they're used before any other servers. Click OK.
Change DNS on your router
Setting DNS on the router applies to every device on your network at once. Way better than configuring each device individually.
- Open a browser, go to your router's admin page (192.168.1.1 or similar)
- Sign in with admin credentials
- Find WAN, Internet, or DNS settings
- Change DNS to manual
- Enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- Save and let the router reboot
After the router restarts, every device on your network uses Cloudflare DNS automatically. Phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs – all get the speed boost.
Flush DNS cache
After changing DNS, flush the old cache. On Windows, open Command Prompt and run:
ipconfig /flushdns
On Mac, open Terminal and run:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Enter your password. Cache clears. Future lookups use the new DNS.
When DNS isn't the issue
If switching DNS doesn't help, the slowness is elsewhere:
- Your overall internet speed is just slow – run a speed test at fast.com
- Your computer's network adapter driver is outdated
- Wi-Fi signal is weak where you're sitting
- Browser extensions are intercepting requests
- VPN is routing all traffic through a distant server
Speed test first to confirm bandwidth. If that's low, the issue is at the ISP or router level, not DNS.
Compare DNS providers
| Provider | Speed | Privacy |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 | Fastest | Excellent (no logs) |
| Google 8.8.8.8 | Very fast | Logs for ad targeting |
| OpenDNS | Fast | Family-safe filtering options |
| Quad9 9.9.9.9 | Fast | Blocks malicious domains |
For most people, Cloudflare is the right choice. Fast and private. Quad9 if you want extra security. OpenDNS if you want parental controls at the DNS level.
What lookup times are you seeing now? Run the nslookup test and tell me – I'll mention if it's normal or unusually slow.