Changing your DNS server will not raise your download speed, but it can make your connection feel snappier by resolving game server and login addresses faster, and it can improve reliability when your ISP’s default DNS is slow or overloaded. It is a free, quick change with no downside if done correctly. This guide explains what DNS does for gaming, which servers to try, and how to switch on both your PC and router.
What DNS does and does not do
DNS translates names like a game’s login server into the numeric IP address your PC actually connects to. A faster, closer DNS resolver returns those answers more quickly, which can shave time off matchmaking, launcher logins, and loading of online services. What it cannot do is change your ping to a game server once you are connected, because that depends on routing and distance, not DNS.
Popular public DNS options
Several free public resolvers are faster and more reliable than many ISP defaults. Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 is known for speed and privacy, Google Public DNS at 8.8.8.8 is rock solid, and Quad9 at 9.9.9.9 adds security filtering. Testing a couple to see which responds fastest from your location is worthwhile.
| Provider | Primary | Secondary | Notable trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 | Very fast, privacy focused |
| 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | Reliable, global | |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 | Blocks malicious domains |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220 | Optional content filtering |
Change DNS on your Windows PC
Open Settings, Network and Internet, then your adapter’s properties. Under DNS server assignment choose Edit, switch to Manual, enable IPv4, and enter a preferred and alternate DNS from the table. Save, then flush your DNS cache by running ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt so the change takes effect immediately. Test by loading a few game launchers and websites.
Change DNS on your router instead
Setting DNS on the router applies it to every device on your network at once, which is convenient for households and consoles. Log into the router, find the WAN or Internet settings, and enter the same primary and secondary addresses. The trade-off is that a per-PC change is easier to revert if you want to compare, so pick whichever fits your needs.
Measure whether it helped
You can benchmark DNS resolvers with a free tool that queries several providers and reports response times from your location, then choose the fastest. In everyday use, look for quicker launcher logins and fewer “cannot connect to server” hiccups. If a resolver ever causes a site or game service to misbehave, simply switch back to automatic or try another provider.
Consider encrypted DNS
Modern browsers and Windows 11 support DNS over HTTPS, which encrypts your DNS queries so your ISP cannot see or tamper with them. Enabling it with a provider like Cloudflare or Google adds privacy with no meaningful performance cost, and it is a nice complement to switching resolvers for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Will changing DNS lower my ping in games?
Not the in-game ping itself. DNS only affects how fast names are resolved to addresses, which speeds up connecting, logging in, and loading online services. Once you are in a match, your latency to the game server is determined by network routing and distance, which DNS does not change.
Is it safe to use a public DNS server?
Yes, the major public resolvers from Cloudflare, Google, and Quad9 are reputable and widely used. They are often more reliable and private than ISP defaults. If you ever have trouble reaching a specific service, you can revert to automatic DNS in seconds, so there is little risk in trying.
Bottom line
Switching DNS is a free tweak that can make logins and matchmaking feel faster and more reliable, even though it does not touch your in-game ping. Try Cloudflare or Google, set it on your PC or router, flush the cache, and optionally enable encrypted DNS for privacy. Keep the resolver that responds fastest from your location.
