This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Netgear WNDRMAC router.
Other Netgear WNDRMAC Guides
This is the dns guide for the Netgear WNDRMAC v2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear WNDRMAC router
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Netgear WNDRMAC User Manual
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Netgear WNDRMAC Login Instructions
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Setup WiFi on the Netgear WNDRMAC
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Reset the Netgear WNDRMAC
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Information About the Netgear WNDRMAC Router
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Netgear WNDRMAC Screenshots
What is the DNS setting on a Router
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:
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 Netgear WNDRMAC
To get started configuring the Netgear WNDRMAC DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the Netgear WNDRMAC, follow our Netgear WNDRMAC Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a Netgear WNDRMAC
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
This guide begins on the Basic Home page of the Netgear WNDRMACv2 router. To change The DNS Server settings, click the link, either in the center of the page or on the left, labeled Internet.
Configure the DNS section of your Netgear WNDRMAC
On this new page, find the section that says Domain Name Server (DNS) Address.
Then, click the radio button labeled Use These DNS Servers.
Next, the boxes titled Primary DNS need to contain the address of the DNS Server that you wish to be the primary one. The address entered here is always used first.
Below that is the Secondary DNS. In these boxes, type the secondary address of the DNS Server you want to use.
That's all there is to it, simply click Apply before exiting.
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 Netgear WNDRMAC Info
Don't forget about our other Netgear WNDRMAC info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the Netgear WNDRMAC v2. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear WNDRMAC router
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Netgear WNDRMAC User Manual
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Netgear WNDRMAC Login Instructions
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Setup WiFi on the Netgear WNDRMAC
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Reset the Netgear WNDRMAC
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Information About the Netgear WNDRMAC Router
- Netgear WNDRMAC v2 - Netgear WNDRMAC Screenshots