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How to change the DNS settings on a Actiontec GT704-WG router

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 4 minutes

This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Actiontec GT704-WG router.

Other Actiontec GT704-WG Guides

This is the dns guide for the Actiontec GT704-WG v3. We also have the following guides for the same router:

What is the DNS setting on a Router

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When you connect a router to the Internet it gets a few settings from your ISP automatically. One of the settings that the ISP sets in your router is the DNS setting. DNS stands for Domain Name System and it is used to convert Internet names into actual IP addresses. For instance, when you go to "google.com", your are really connecting to an IP address that is mapped through DNS to a number such as:

  • 173.194.33.73

This mapping happens automatically every time you visit any page on the Internet.

Why Change Your Router's DNS Setting

Some ISPs choose to abuse the DNS system and map unknown names to servers that they control. This can be done in a way that you don't know it is happening since your router is getting its DNS settings from your ISP. For instance, if you have one of these ISPs who is hijacking your DNS, and you try to surf the web to "some-random-site.com" and "some-random-site.com" does not exist, you might get a page back from your ISP with local advertisements on it.

By changing your DNS setting in your router you will effectively change the DNS setting for every computer on your network. This is because when a device is connected to your network your router automatically hands out its own DNS settings to that device. This way you can protect your entire network from ISP hijacking with just one setting.

What Should I Change My DNS To

There are 2 really great DNS servers on the Internet that you can choose from right now: Google Public DNS and OpenDNS. If you are not sure which one to pick then just use Google Public DNS.

When you change the DNS settings in your router, you usually have to enter a Primary and a Secondary setting. The secondary is only used if the primary can not be located. Here are common settings:

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If you want to use Google Public DNS, use the following settings:

  • Primary: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary: 8.8.4.4

If you want to use OpenDNS, use the following settings:

  • 208.67.222.222
  • 208.67.220.220

Login To The Actiontec GT704-WG

To get started configuring the Actiontec GT704-WG DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.

To login to the Actiontec GT704-WG, follow our Actiontec GT704-WG Login Guide.

Change the DNS settings on a Actiontec GT704-WG

If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.

router status mac address internet IP
This is the status page from your Actiontec GT704-WG router.

From the Status page of the Actiontec GT704-WGv3 you see a horizontal list of choices at the top of the page. Click the one titled Advanced Setup.

A new list appears on the left side of the page, from this list pick DHCP Settings.

Configure the DNS section of your Actiontec GT704-WG

router DHCP lan mac address binding internet settings
This is the dhcp page from your Actiontec GT704-WG router.

You should now see a screen similar to the one above. Scroll down this page until you see the words DNS. It is at the very bottom of the page in the screenshot above.

First, check the radio dot labeled Static.

The first box under this is called DNS Server 1. Use this box to enter the primary address of the DNS server you have picked.

The next box is titled DNS Server 2, enter the secondary address of that DNS server here.

Click Apply and you're done!

Possible Problems when Changing your DNS settings

Most devices on your network will not begin using the new DNS settings until they have been rebooted. After rebooting a device you can go to it's network settings and verify that it is using the DNS servers that you specified.

Other Actiontec GT704-WG Info

Don't forget about our other Actiontec GT704-WG info that you might be interested in.

This is the dns guide for the Actiontec GT704-WG v3. We also have the following guides for the same router: