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How to change the DNS settings on a ZyXEL P 2602HW 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 ZyXEL P 2602HW router.

Other ZyXEL P 2602HW Guides

This is the dns guide for the ZyXEL P 2602HW D1A. 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 ZyXEL P 2602HW

To get started configuring the ZyXEL P 2602HW DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.

To login to the ZyXEL P 2602HW, follow our ZyXEL P 2602HW Login Guide.

Change the DNS settings on a ZyXEL P 2602HW

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 ZyXEL P 2602HW router.

This guide begins on the Device Information page of the ZyXEL P-2602HW-D1A router. First, tick the link on the left side of the page labeled Network, then LAN. You should now see some tabs near the top of the page. Pick the tab titled DHCP Setup.

Configure the DNS section of your ZyXEL P 2602HW

router DHCP lan mac address binding internet settings
This is the dhcp page from your ZyXEL P 2602HW router.

On this new page, go to the section labeled DNS Server.

In the drop down menu of First DNS Server, pick the option of UserDefined. Then, to the right, enter the primary DNS Server address that you have decided to use. This address is always used first.

Next, using the drop down menu of Second DNS Server, choose UserDefined. Next, enter the secondary address of the DNS Server you wish to use. Remember that this address is a backup and only used if the first is unavailable.

If you want to enter a third address, go ahead and do so. If not, just choose None from the drop down menu.

That's all there is to it, simply click the Apply button 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 ZyXEL P 2602HW Info

Don't forget about our other ZyXEL P 2602HW info that you might be interested in.

This is the dns guide for the ZyXEL P 2602HW D1A. We also have the following guides for the same router: