How to Change Your DNS Settings to Increase Speed

The Internet phone book is a typical analogy for the Domain Name System (DNS). When you type in a website address, such as "www.example.com," your device can't find it. To locate and load the webpage, your device uses the IP address that the DNS translates this domain name into.

If your DNS server is unreliable or takes a long time to resolve domain names, your website will load more slowly. By adjusting your DNS settings, you might be able to quicken this process and boost the effectiveness and speed of your browsing in general. In this article, we'll discuss how to modify your DNS settings to increase speed.

What is DNS?

Computers utilize IP addresses to identify websites, and DNS, or Domain Name System, converts human-friendly domain names (such as "www.example.com") into these addresses. Users can access websites by name using it as a virtual phonebook on the internet, with computers handling the underlying numbers. The DNS locates the correct IP address when you type in a website address, points your browser in that direction, and allows the website to load.

How DNS Works

The DNS operates as follows when you type a domain name into your browser:

  • Start of Query: To find the IP address linked to the domain, your device queries a DNS server.
  • DNS Lookup: The DNS server looks up the requested domain's IP address to see whether it already knows it. If not, it keeps trying different DNS servers until it locates the right one.
  • Reaction: The webpage loads after the IP address is located and transmitted back to your device. 

Understanding DNS and Its Role in Speed

Step 1: Determine Your Current DNS Settings

Before making changes, it's important to know what DNS servers you're currently using. You can check this on your router or directly on your device. For Windows, go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings, and for macOS, check in the Network Preferences. This gives you a baseline to compare performance improvements.

Step 2: Choose a Faster DNS Provider

There are several popular DNS services known for their speed and security. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1) are two commonly used options. These servers often resolve domain names faster than those provided by your ISP, leading to quicker website load times.

Step 3: Change DNS Settings on Your Device

To change your DNS settings on Windows, go to Network and Internet Settings, select your network, and click on Change Adapter Settings. Right-click on your network connection, go to Properties, and then Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Here, you can manually enter the DNS addresses you selected. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Network, choose your network, and input the DNS under the DNS tab.

Step 4: Change DNS Settings on Your Router

For a broader network-wide effect, changing the DNS settings on your router is the best option. Log into your router’s admin panel (the IP address and login details are usually on the router itself). Once inside, look for the DNS settings section, often found under Internet or Network. Enter the new DNS server addresses and save the changes.

Step 5: Test Your New DNS Settings

After changing your DNS, it's important to test the speed and performance. Tools like DNS Benchmark or Namebench can help you compare your new DNS performance against your old one. These tools will show if you're experiencing faster load times or better overall performance.

Read More: How to Choose a Web Application Firewall

Conclusion

Although it can be unpleasant to have to understand that making DNS changes can take longer than usual, as long as you allow for this, you should be able to prevent any potential issues.

If you use email Shop already, you probably already know that we recommend utilizing Cloudflare, which we also utilize for all of our systems and which offers quick, worldwide DNS propagation. Are you still thinking about switching? Start your complimentary 5-day trial now.

TheEmailShop FAQs

We offer three primary hosting services: web hosting, which provides space for your website and its content; email hosting, which supports professional email accounts with custom domains; and cloud hosting, which leverages multiple servers to enhance performance, scalability, and reliability. Each service is designed with security and uptime in mind to ensure your operations run smoothly.

We prioritize security through a multi-layered approach. This includes SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission, advanced firewalls to block unauthorized access, and routine security patches to address vulnerabilities. Additionally, our data centers are equipped with physical security measures and 24/7 monitoring to protect your data from physical and cyber threats.

We offer regular backups for all of our Email hosting services. This means that your data is consistently backed up and can be restored in case of data loss or other issues. Our backup frequency and retention policies are designed to protect your information and reduce downtime."

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your hosting plan as needed. If your needs change, simply contact our support team to modify your plan. Upgrades or downgrades are typically processed quickly, ensuring minimal disruption to your services.

Switching your email system to a new server involves several key steps. First, you'll need to select a suitable server provider and set up email hosting. Next, you'll need to migrate existing email data, including transferring mailboxes and archives. Lastly, ensure seamless functionality by configuring domain settings such as DNS records and MX entries to point to the new server. Planning for downtime during migration is crucial to minimize disruptions to email access and \ensure a smooth transition for users.

Our email system can interface with various video conferencing solutions to improve the efficiency and caliber of video chats. By connecting with these services directly, users may set up meetings with ease, share meeting links within emails, and enhance communication. The level of compatibility depends on the specific email provider and the video conference platform's APIs. This ensures smooth communication and increases group productivity. This integration also expedites the meeting management process and enhances collaboration overall by enabling effective connection and communication through video conferencing options.

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