Confused on how to change DNS server on router

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Trying to help someone change their DNS server to Cloudflare but it is different than mine (which only had one spot to enter it).

On theirs it has a section under WAN settings – DNS Type that can be changed from the default Dynamic DNS, which uses their ISP settings, to a Static DNS Primary and Secondary.

And then a section under LAN settings – DHCP Settings – Set the DNS servers allocated with DHCP requests from default servers which uses the router IP address as primary and the ISP IP Secondary again.

So do I set the WAN settings to static and use the 1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1 as primary and seconday? Or the LAN settings – DHCP Settings and change the DHCP DNS Type from default to 1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1 as primary and secondary? Or even do both?

Thank you.

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The DHCP setting is used by all devices that connect to the router so that is easiest.

Why do you want to change?
Most browsers now manage the DNS themselves, using secure DNS, so there is no need to change the machine / DHCP settings.

cheers, Paul

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Thank you Paul T.

Changed the Router LAN Settings -> DHCP Settings -> Set the DNS servers allocated with DHCP requests. -> DHCP DNS Type: -> Custom Servers to the primary and secondary Cloudflare ones (which were previously the default Primary Router IP address and Secondary ISP DNS IP).

That means I do not also need to change the Router WAN Settings -> DNS type -> Static DNS -> and enter the primary and secondary DNS Cloudflare ones in that location also correct (instead of the current default Primary/Secondary ISP DNS)?

I don’t understand the difference between those two sections.

Regarding why the change. So all connected devices, not just the ones that offer Secure DNS, use the Cloudflare DNS which is supposed to potentially offer more reliability, security, privacy, etc.

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WAN settings are used by your router to connect to your ISP.
DHCP settings are used by your clients (PC, laptop, IoT devices) because they are isolated from the ISP by your router.

Cloudflare is just a DNS service, subject the the same laws and potential problems as your ISP, unless your ISP is staffed by idiots. If it were, you would likely have regular outages and all their other customers would be screaming.

I have never bothered changing the DNS from my ISP and have not had problems related to DNS.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

TechTango

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This is kinda off-topic but I was quite surprised when I realized that since I changed my DNS from OpenDNS to level3 ALL the attacks logged by my Netgear router went away! Not one in the last 25 days. Anyone care to comment?

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Internet attacks have nothing to do with DNS. Script kiddies randomly attack all IPs in the hope of finding something.

cheers, Paul

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