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How to change the DNS settings on a Arris TG862A 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 Arris TG862A router.

Other Arris TG862A Guides

This is the dns guide for the Arris TG862A. 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 Arris TG862A

To get started configuring the Arris TG862A DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.

To login to the Arris TG862A, follow our Arris TG862A Login Guide.

Change the DNS settings on a Arris TG862A

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

wifi wireless
This is the wifi setup page from your Arris TG862A router.

The DNS server guide begins on the Home page of the Arris TG862A router. First make sure that the option of Wireless is chosen at the top of the page. Second, tick the option of LAN Setup. Third, look to the left sidebar and select the option of LAN SETTINGS.

Configure the DNS section of your Arris TG862A

router IP address lan home network
This is the lan page from your Arris TG862A router.

You should now be on a page like the one you see above. Scroll down until you come to the section titled DNS Override.

First, place a check mark in the box labeled Enable DNS Override.

Next, enter the main DNS Server address you have chosen in the box labeled Primary DNS Server IP.

Enter the alternate DNS server address in the box labeled Secondary DNS Server IP. Remember that this address is only used if the first address is unavailable.

If you have a third address you want to use, enter that in the box labeled Tertiary DNS Server IP.

Nothing else should be changed on this page, just click the button near the bottom of the page labeled Apply before you exit.

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 Arris TG862A Info

Don't forget about our other Arris TG862A info that you might be interested in.

This is the dns guide for the Arris TG862A. We also have the following guides for the same router: