When most people think about improving their VPN speed, they focus on switching servers, changing protocols, or upgrading their internet connection. But one of the most overlooked factors affecting VPN performance is your DNS (Domain Name System) settings.

Using the right DNS setup can reduce latency, improve loading times, and make your VPN connection feel more responsive — especially for streaming, gaming, and remote work. In this guide, we’ll break down what DNS is, why it matters for VPN speed, and which DNS settings work best.

What is DNS and Why It Matters for VPN Speed

DNS is like the phone book of the internet. When you type a domain name like netflix.com or google.com, your device contacts a DNS server to find the matching IP address.

If your DNS server is slow or located far away, it takes longer for websites to start loading. With a VPN, this delay can be amplified, because your requests are routed through an encrypted tunnel.

A fast and secure DNS provider can speed up website lookups, reduce connection delays, and in some cases even improve stability when switching between VPN servers.

How VPNs Handle DNS

When you connect to a VPN, most providers route your DNS requests through their own secure DNS servers. This prevents DNS leaks (where your ISP could still see what domains you’re visiting).

However, not all VPN DNS servers are equally fast. In some cases, your VPN might allow you to manually set DNS servers for better performance.

Some VPNs — like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and PIA — already have private, zero-log DNS servers that are optimized for speed. Others may default to your ISP’s DNS unless you change it manually.

Signs Your DNS May Be Slowing Down Your VPN

You might benefit from changing your DNS if:

• Websites take 2–3 seconds to start loading, even on a fast VPN.

• Streaming services buffer despite high internet speed.

• Online games have high ping or spikes in latency.

• Speed tests show good download/upload rates, but page load feels sluggish.
  
  

If you experience any of these issues, testing alternative DNS settings could make a noticeable difference.

Recommended DNS Options for Faster VPN Performance

Here are the most popular and fastest DNS providers you can use with your VPN:

1. Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1)

• Pros: Very fast worldwide, strong privacy policy, minimal logging.

• Best for: General browsing, streaming, gaming.

• IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 / 2606:4700:4700::1001
  
  

2. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4)

• Pros: Extremely reliable, global coverage.

• Best for: Stability and uptime.

• IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 / 2001:4860:4860::8844
  
  

3. Quad9 (9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112)

• Pros: Strong security focus, blocks malicious domains.

• Best for: Privacy-conscious users and secure browsing.

• IPv6: 2620:fe::fe / 2620:fe::9
  
  

4. OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220)

• Pros: Customizable filtering, good speeds.

• Best for: Families or work networks.

• IPv6: 2620:119:35::35 / 2620:119:53::53
  
  

If your VPN provider has its own DNS servers, test them against these public DNS options to see which gives the best performance.

How to Change Your DNS for Better VPN Speed

The process varies slightly depending on your device and OS. Here’s a quick overview:

On Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network Connections.

2. Right-click your active network → Properties.

3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.

4. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.

5. Enter the DNS server IPs from your chosen provider.

6. Repeat for IPv6 if needed.
   
   

On macOS:

1. Go to System Settings → Network.

2. Select your active network → Details.

3. Click DNS and add your preferred DNS addresses.

4. Click OK and Apply.
   
   

On Android:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS.

2. Select Private DNS provider hostname and enter the hostname (e.g., 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com).
   
   

On iOS:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.

2. Tap the “i” icon next to your network.

3. Scroll to Configure DNS → Manual and enter the addresses.
   
   

For routers, you’ll need to log in to your router’s admin panel and enter DNS addresses under Internet or WAN settings. This way, all devices connected to your network — including VPN users — benefit from faster DNS.

Combining DNS Changes with VPN Optimizations

While DNS tuning can improve performance, you’ll get the best results by combining it with other VPN speed tweaks:

• Use WireGuard protocol (fastest in most cases).

• Connect to a server physically closer to you.

• Avoid overloaded VPN servers during peak hours.

• Disable unnecessary background apps using bandwidth.

• Enable split tunneling if you don’t need VPN for all traffic.
  
  

DNS Privacy Considerations

Faster DNS is great, but don’t overlook privacy. Public DNS providers may log some metadata for analytics, even if they promise not to track your activity.

That’s why many privacy experts recommend sticking to your VPN’s own DNS servers when possible, as these are usually integrated into the VPN’s no-logs policy.

If you do switch to public DNS, choose providers with strong privacy commitments — like Cloudflare or Quad9 — and read their policies.

Final Take

Changing your DNS settings won’t magically double your VPN speed, but it can shave milliseconds off connection times, improve stability, and make streaming or gaming smoother. For many users, Cloudflare DNS is the best mix of speed and privacy, but testing a few options will reveal what works best for your location.

If you want consistent performance without much tweaking, choose a VPN like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN that already uses optimized private DNS servers. If you’re willing to experiment, pairing your VPN with a fast, privacy-friendly DNS provider can give your online experience a noticeable boost.