This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Ubiquiti AirOS router.
Other Ubiquiti AirOS Guides
This is the dns guide for the Ubiquiti AirOS. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Reset the Ubiquiti AirOS
- Ubiquiti AirOS - How to change the IP Address on a Ubiquiti AirOS router
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Ubiquiti AirOS User Manual
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Ubiquiti AirOS Login Instructions
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Setup WiFi on the Ubiquiti AirOS
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Information About the Ubiquiti AirOS Router
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Ubiquiti AirOS 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 Ubiquiti AirOS
To get started configuring the Ubiquiti AirOS DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the Ubiquiti AirOS, follow our Ubiquiti AirOS Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a Ubiquiti AirOS
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
You begin on the Main Status page of the Ubiquiti AirOS router. To change the Domain Name System, DNS, click the option at the top of the page titled Network.
Configure the DNS section of your Ubiquiti AirOS
This takes you to a page like the one you see here. In the second section titled WAN Network Settings, there are two boxes that deal with the DNS Server. The first is labeled Primary DNS IP. Enter the main or primary DNS Server address you have decided to use. This address is always going to be used first. Below that is the Secondary DNS IP. Type in the secondary DNS server address here. This one acts as a backup and is only used if the first can't be located.
One other thing you may want to do is tick the box under LAN Network Settings that reads Enable DNS Proxy.
When you are finished, click the button at the bottom labeled Change.
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 Ubiquiti AirOS Info
Don't forget about our other Ubiquiti AirOS info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the Ubiquiti AirOS. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Reset the Ubiquiti AirOS
- Ubiquiti AirOS - How to change the IP Address on a Ubiquiti AirOS router
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Ubiquiti AirOS User Manual
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Ubiquiti AirOS Login Instructions
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Setup WiFi on the Ubiquiti AirOS
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Information About the Ubiquiti AirOS Router
- Ubiquiti AirOS - Ubiquiti AirOS Screenshots