6 Ways to Check Which DNS Server is Being Used in Windows 11

The Domain Name System (DNS) converts domain names into IP addresses . Web browsers use these IP addresses to load web pages and ensure that you don't have to remember the IP address of each website.

Sometimes you'll want to see which DNS server your PC is connecting to, either because the server you're using is down or because you want to switch to a faster or more secure alternative server . Luckily, there are several ways to see which DNS server you're using on Windows 11.

Method 1: Check DNS server using Settings menu

The Settings menu is the central hub of your Windows PC. It lets you adjust options, configure your operating system, and manage all your connected devices. You can also use Windows settings to check your current DNS server on Windows 11.

Here's how to do it:

1. Launch the Start menu by pressing the Win key.

2. In the search bar, type Settings and press Enter. The Settings menu will open.

3. Select Network & Internet from the left panel.

4. Select the Properties option next to the name of the connected network.

5. In the following window, you can see the DNS server. It will be next to the IPv4 DNS Servers option .

Method 2: Check DNS server in Advanced Network Settings

1. Open Settings ( Win + I ).

2. Click Network & internet on the left and click Advanced network settings on the right.

3. Click on the network adapter (e.g. "Ethernet") that you want to know the DNS servers it uses to expand it and click View additional properties.

4. Now, you will see the IPv4 DNS Servers and IPv6 DNS Servers addresses used by this network adapter.

Method 3: Check DNS server using Control Panel

Control Panel is an essential component of Windows that allows you to configure various system settings. You can use it to manage applications, enable or disable hardware, change user accounts, troubleshoot system problems, and check DNS servers.

To check your DNS server using Control Panel, follow these instructions:

1. Open the Run dialog box using the hotkey Win + R .

2. In the search bar, type Control Panel and press Enter. It will open the Control Panel window .

3.Change the View by icons to Large .

4. Select Network and Sharing Center .

5. Click the link next to the Connections option.

6. Click the Details button in the window that appears.

7. You can see the DNS servers in the new window that appears. It will be next to the IPv4 DNS server option .

Method 4: Check DNS server in network connection

1. Open Control Panel (icon view) and click the Network and Sharing Center icon .

2. Click the Change adapter settings link on the left side of Network and Sharing Center.

3. Click the network adapter (e.g. "vEthernet (New Virtual Switch)") that you want to know the DNS servers it uses.

4. Click Details.

5. Now, you will see the IPv4 DNS Servers and IPv6 DNS Servers addresses used by this network connection.

Method 5: Check DNS server using Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a command line interface for Windows operating systems, a fun way to interact with your computer using text commands. You can use Command Prompt to list and change directories, create or delete files and folders, manage networks, and more.

You can also use Command Prompt to check your current DNS server. Here's how:

1. Open the Start menu , type Command Prompt and select Run as administrator from the right pane.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /all and press Enter .

3. You can see the DNS servers in the information that appears on the screen.

Method 6: Check DNS server using Windows PowerShell

You can use Windows PowerShell to perform a variety of tasks, including checking the DNS servers set up on your computer. Here's how:

1. Open Windows PowerShell.

2. In the PowerShell window, type Get-DnsClientServerAddress and press Enter.

You can see the DNS servers next to your network type. If you are using a WiFi connection, the DNS servers will appear next to the WiFi option. Meanwhile, if you are using Ethernet, the DNS servers will appear next to the Ethernet option.

Now you know all the ways to check DNS server on Windows 11. All these methods are quick and easy to do. You can choose the one that you find easiest to do.

Sometimes the default DNS server may not be one of the fastest. In such cases, you can change your server to one of the many alternatives.