How to configure Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS service on Windows 11, 10, or router
Cloudflare offers a Domain Name System (DNS) service designed for security and performance, and here are the steps to start using it.
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All your web traffic runs through a DNS (Domain Name Service), usually managed by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Several companies offer alternatives, allowing you to route your traffic through a faster or more secure medium, and the web infrastructure giantCloudflare has its own DNS for consumers: 1.1.1.1, which promises to be faster than the competition. However, it’s also more secure and private too.
What is Cloudflare?
Cloudflare is a web infrastructure company offering content delivery network (CDN), Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation, Authoritative DNS services, and a consumer DNS resolver service. Its network serves over 6 million websites, and between all of its services, Cloudflare has a huge infrastructure spread out around the globe (the closer its CDN servers are to your computer, the faster it can serve content). The sheer size of the Cloudflare CDN also means it had the potential to serve as a consumer-level DNS system.
What is DNS and what makes Cloudflare’s service unique?
DNS is essentially the web’s phonebook. Every website is located at an IP address — a string of digits denoting the server’s exact web location. Because remembering a bunch of IP addresses like “104.16.213.223” would be a pain. Instead, domain names like “WindowsCentral.com” are stored in a DNS database alongside the IP address. So that when you type “WindowsCentral.com” into your browser, the computer sends that domain through the network to a DNS server, which returns the page located at “104.16.213.223.”
Your ISP already offers a DNS resolver, making it easy to get online quickly. But they’re not always the fastest or most secure services, so third-party options have grown in popularity. Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of companies offering fast DNS services, includingCisco OpenDNSandGoogle Public DNS. While these services are known to be quick and reliable, Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 claims to be even faster and more secure.
According to Cloudflare, 1.1.1.1’s average latency is around 14ms, making it the fastest DNS resolver everywhere (Google Public DNS latency average is 34ms). Alongside speed, Cloudflare is also touting greater privacy, promising that users' records will never be stored on drives and that it’ll flush out logs every 24 hours.
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Thishow-to guidewill walk you through the steps to configure your router or computer to use the super-fast and secure 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver from Cloudflare.
Cloudflare free DNS resolver IP addresses
These are the IP addresses to set up Cloudflare’s consumer DNS service on a computer or router.
IP version 4
IP version 6
How to configure Cloudflare DNS service on router
The best way to change your current DNS settings to start using Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 is to reconfigure your router. Instead of setting up each device individually, this approach automatically configures every home device (desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, game console, and smart TV).
To configure your router to use the Cloudflare DNS addresses, do the following:
Important:The instructions to configure may be different on your router. Before proceeding, check your manufacturer support website for more specific details.
Once you complete the steps, restart your computer to start using the new settings.
Alternatively, you can open Command Prompt and run these two commands:
These commands will purge the DNS Resolver cache on your device and request a renewal of the IPv4 settings.
You don’t need to apply the IP version 6 addresses on your router if your network already uses IP version 4. However, if you must use the IPv6 addresses, you must enter them in your router’s IPv6 DNS setting page.
How to configure Cloudflare DNS service on Windows 11
Alternatively, if configuring your home router is a little challenging, or you want to use the Cloudflare DNS settings on every network you connect, including public networks (for example, coffee shops and airports), with your laptop or tablet, you can configure the DNS settings on Windows 11 (or Windows 10), instead of configuring your router.
Using these instructions is not recommended if you’re using a computer at work because changing these settings could cause connectivity problems and other issues. If you want to change these settings on your work computer, always consult with your IT administrator first.
To set the Cloudflare DNS settings on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the computer will use the Cloudflare servers to resolve domain names.
How to configure Cloudflare DNS service on Windows 10
To configure the Cloudflare DNS settings on Windows 10, do the following:
After completing the steps, your device will contact the Cloudflare servers to resolve domain names (for example, Google.com or WindowsCentral.com).
The steps mentioned above focus on Windows 10, but the instructions will also work on Windows 8.1 and 7.
How to check if you’re using the Cloudflare DNS settings
If you want to make sure that you’re in fact using the Cloudflare DNS settings, you can use thenslookuptool to find out this information quickly:
The output of the command should include this result:
If you’re using the IPv6 addresses, then the output should look like this:
If you’re configuring your router instead of your computer, thenslookuptool will show the IP address of your router. This is an expected result as it’s your router the one that is making the DNS requests on behalf of all the devices connected in the network.
If this is the case, you can verify that the Cloudflare DNS settings are configured correctly using your router’s network tools (if applicable), and using the nslookup method to test the settings.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Cutting-edge operating system
A refreshed design in Windows 11 enables you to do what you want effortlessly and safely, with biometric logins for encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
