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How to change the DNS settings on a Linksys WRT54GS router

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 8 minutes

This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Linksys WRT54GS router.

Other Linksys WRT54GS Guides

This is the dns guide for the Linksys WRT54GS v6. 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 Linksys WRT54GS

To get started configuring the Linksys WRT54GS DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.

To login to the Linksys WRT54GS, follow our Linksys WRT54GS Login Guide.

Change the DNS settings on a Linksys WRT54GS

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 Linksys WRT54GS router.

Starting on the Status page of the Linksys WRT54GSv6 you need to click Setup at the top of the page, then Basic Setup when it appears below that.

Configure the DNS section of your Linksys WRT54GS

router setup
This is the setup page from your Linksys WRT54GS router.

You are now on the correct page to change your Domain Name System settings, or the DNS settings.

Look down this page and place your cursor in the first of the four boxes labeled Static DNS 1. Enter the main address of the DNS server you want to use. This, being the primary will always be accessed first by the Linksys WRT54GSv6.

Next is the Static DNS 2 boxes, enter the secondary address of that DNS server here.

The Linksys routers are one of only a few routers that have an option of a third DNS server address. If you have a third address, go ahead and enter that in the Static DNS 3 boxes. If not, don't worry, this is a very rarely used address.

Finally, click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.

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 Linksys WRT54GS Info

Don't forget about our other Linksys WRT54GS info that you might be interested in.

This is the dns guide for the Linksys WRT54GS v6. We also have the following guides for the same router: