How to Change DNS Settings on Chromebook

Recommended DNS Servers

TorGuard DNS (VPN Users)

When connected to TorGuard VPN, use our secure DNS servers:

Public DNS Servers Comparison

ChromeOS DNS Setup (Modern Method)

Step 1: Open Settings

Access Chromebook settings using one of these methods:

• Click the time in the bottom-right corner → Click the Settings gear
• Press Alt + Shift + S keyboard shortcut
• Type chrome://settings in the address bar

Step 2: Navigate to Network Settings

In the Settings page:

1. Click "Network" in the left sidebar
2. Under "Internet connection", click on your active network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

Step 3: Configure DNS Servers

In the network details page:

1. Expand the "Network" section
2. Find "Name servers" setting
3. Select "Custom name servers"
4. Enter your chosen DNS servers:
   • Server 1: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare primary)
   • Server 2: 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare secondary)
5. Click "Close" to save

Enable Secure DNS (DNS over HTTPS)

ChromeOS supports DNS over HTTPS for encrypted DNS queries:

1. Open Chrome browser
2. Navigate to chrome://settings/security
3. Find "Use secure DNS"
4. Toggle it ON
5. Choose a provider:
   • Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) - Recommended
   • Google Public DNS
   • Quad9 (9.9.9.9)
   • Custom - Enter DoH URL

Advanced DNS Configuration

Enable Experimental Features (If Needed)

If DNS settings are grayed out:

1. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://flags
2. Search for "Experimental static IP configuration"
3. Set to "Enabled"
4. Click "Restart" at the bottom
5. After reboot, DNS settings should be available

Command Line DNS Configuration

For advanced users with Developer Mode enabled:

# Open crosh (Ctrl+Alt+T)
crosh> shell

# View current DNS
$ cat /etc/resolv.conf

# Test DNS resolution
$ nslookup google.com

Per-Network DNS Settings

ChromeOS remembers DNS settings per network:

Verify DNS Changes

Method 1: DNS Leak Test

1. Visit TorGuard DNS Leak Test
2. Click "Standard Test"
3. Verify results show your chosen DNS servers

Method 2: Chrome DNS Lookup

1. Open new tab in Chrome
2. Navigate to chrome://net-internals/#dns
3. Click "Clear host cache"
4. Visit any website
5. Check DNS resolver details

Method 3: Command Line Test

# In crosh shell
$ host google.com
$ dig google.com

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

DNS Settings Grayed Out

• Managed device: Check with IT admin for permissions
• Guest mode: DNS changes not allowed in guest mode
• Enable flags: Try experimental static IP configuration
• Powerwash: Reset Chromebook if persistent issues

Websites Not Loading

• Check DNS: Try 8.8.8.8 as a test
• Clear cache: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
• Disable DoH: Test without secure DNS
• Reset network: Forget and reconnect to WiFi

Slow DNS Resolution

• Server location: Choose geographically closer DNS
• Test speeds: Use DNS benchmark tools
• IPv6: Disable if causing issues
• Cache size: Clear Chrome DNS cache

Chromebook-Specific Considerations

Android Apps DNS

Android apps on Chromebook use system DNS by default:

• DNS changes affect Android apps automatically
• Some apps may have hardcoded DNS
• VPN apps can override system DNS

Linux Apps DNS

For Crostini (Linux container):

# Edit resolv.conf in Linux container
$ sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

# Add DNS servers
nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 1.0.0.1

Enterprise Enrollment

Managed Chromebooks may have restrictions:

• DNS policy enforced by admin
• Cannot change network settings
• Contact IT department for changes

Family Safety DNS Options

For parental controls and content filtering:

DNS Performance Testing

Test which DNS is fastest for your location:

1. Install "DNS Benchmark" Chrome extension
2. Run speed tests for various DNS servers
3. Choose fastest responding servers
4. Consider latency over raw speed

DNS Privacy Comparison