Linux - How to change your DNS

Overview

This guide walks through the process of changing DNS on Linux based systems.

We recommend you to use either Google's or Cloudflare's DNS as these are less prone to name resolution failures.

1️⃣ DNS Server Options

Google DNS Primary: 8.8.8.8
Google DNS Secondary: 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare Primary: 1.1.1.1
Cloudflare Secondary: 1.0.0.1

Note: Choose either Google or Cloudflare DNS servers - don't mix them

2️⃣ Clear DNS Cache

For systemd-based systems (Ubuntu, Debian, etc.):

sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

For Ubuntu/Debian you might also need:

sudo service network-manager restart

3️⃣Temporary DNS Change:

Change DNS for current session using Terminal

sudo resolvectl dns NETWORK_INTERFACE 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4    # For Google DNS

sudo resolvectl dns NETWORK_INTERFACE 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1    # For Cloudflare DNS

Info: To know your NETWORK_INTERFACE, please use the below 
ip link show
# or
ip addr
# or
nmcli device status

4️⃣ Permanent DNS Change:

Edit resolv.conf file

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

Add these lines (remove or comment out existing nameserver lines):

# For Google DNS
nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 8.8.4.4

# OR for Cloudflare DNS
nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 1.0.0.1

Save the file and Exit Nano.

5️⃣ Verify DNS Settings

Check current DNS configuration:

resolvectl status

Verify which DNS server is handling queries:

nslookup google.com

Warning: Some systems might revert resolv.conf changes after reboot. You may need to make the file immutable or use other methods for permanent changes.

Note: If you encounter any difficulties during the process, please do reach out to our support team.

Linux - How to change your DNS

Overview

2️⃣ Clear DNS Cache

4️⃣ Permanent DNS Change:

Edit resolv.conf file

5️⃣ Verify DNS Settings