Your Internet Is Slow — and Your DNS Server Might Be to Blame

What Is DNS, and Why Should You Care?

Every time you type a website address into your browser, something has to translate that human-readable name into a numerical IP address that computers actually understand. That translation service is called the Domain Name System — DNS for short. Think of it as the internet's contact directory: you search for a name, it returns the right number.

With over a billion websites online, no single server holds the full directory. Instead, your DNS server keeps a local cache of frequently visited addresses, and if a site isn't cached, it reaches out to another server to fetch it. By default, that server is almost always run by your internet provider — and it's rarely the fastest option available to you.

How Distance and Traffic Slow Your Connection

Internet data travels across physical cables — copper and fibre — at close to the speed of light. You can't make that faster. What you can control is how far that data has to travel before reaching you. A DNS server located far away creates a small but measurable delay every time you load a new page.

Distance isn't the only culprit, though. ISP DNS servers often handle enormous volumes of traffic — especially during peak evening hours — which leads to queuing delays. Some servers also maintain outdated records, routing your requests inefficiently. Switching to a better-optimised DNS server tackles both problems at once.

The Best Free DNS Servers to Switch To

These four providers consistently outperform ISP defaults on speed, reliability, and privacy. Here are the addresses you'll need:

How To — Windows 10 & 11

Changing DNS on Windows

The steps are nearly identical across both Windows versions:

1. Press Win + X and select Network Connections from the menu.
2. Go to Advanced network settings → More network adapter options (Windows 11) or Change adapter options (Windows 10).
3. Right-click your active internet connection and choose Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter your preferred DNS (e.g. 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare).
6. Click OK, then repeat for IPv6 if needed. Done.

How To — macOS

Changing DNS on a Mac

1. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura and later).
2. Click Network, select your active connection, then hit Advanced.
3. Navigate to the DNS tab.
4. Use the + button to add your new DNS server addresses, and the − button to remove old ones.
5. Click OK then Apply to save.

How To — iPhone

Changing DNS on iOS

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and tap the ⓘ icon next to your current network.
2. Scroll down to the DNS section and tap Configure DNS.
3. Switch from Automatic to Manual.
4. Tap Add Server and enter your preferred DNS address. Tap Save.

How To — Android

Changing DNS on Android (9.0+)

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Advanced.
2. Tap Private DNS and select Private DNS provider hostname.
3. Enter one of the hostnames below and tap Save:
   
   Google: dns.google.com
   Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
   Quad9: dns.quad9.net

How To — ChromeOS

Changing DNS on a Chromebook

1. Head to Settings → Security and Privacy.
2. Find Use Secure DNS and toggle it on.
3. Select With and choose Cloudflare from the dropdown, or enter a custom DNS address manually.

Is Switching DNS Worth It?

For most people: yes, absolutely. The change takes under five minutes, costs nothing, and the upside is real — faster page loads, fewer DNS-related timeouts, and in some cases, better protection against malicious websites. It won't fix a fundamentally slow broadband plan, but as one piece of a broader speed-optimisation puzzle, it's one of the easiest wins available. Start with Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or Google 8.8.8.8 and see how your connection feels. You can always switch back in seconds.