Every device on the internet finds its way around using DNS, whether you’ve ever thought about it or not. Most people never touch their DNS settings, but changing them takes a couple of minutes and can make your Firestick faster, more private, and better at getting around content blocks. Here’s what DNS actually does, why you’d want to change it, and exactly how to do it on a Fire TV Stick — plus a list of free servers to try and a few premium options if you want more.

What Is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it’s essentially the internet’s phone book. Computers don’t actually navigate to “netflix.com” — they navigate to an IP address, a string of numbers like 44.238.174.20. DNS is the service that looks up the name you typed and translates it into the address your device actually needs.

Every time you open an app or type a web address, your device sends a request to a DNS server, which replies with the correct IP address in a fraction of a second. By default, your device uses whatever DNS server your internet provider assigns automatically — and that default is rarely the fastest, most private, or most reliable option available.

Benefits of Changing Your DNS

  • Faster load times — some public DNS servers resolve requests quicker than your ISP’s default, which can shave real time off how fast apps and pages open.
  • Better privacy — your ISP’s DNS servers can log every domain you visit. Switching to a privacy-focused provider limits what your ISP sees.
  • Built-in security — several free DNS providers automatically block known malware and phishing domains before your device ever connects to them.
  • Fewer ISP redirects and slowdowns — some providers redirect failed lookups to ad-filled search pages or throttle certain traffic; a different DNS provider can avoid that entirely.
  • Optional content filtering — family-friendly DNS options can block adult content network-wide without installing anything extra.
  • Access to geo-restricted content — this is where Smart DNS services come in, which we cover below. They use DNS to reroute location-based checks so certain regional content becomes available.

How to Change DNS on Firestick

Fire TV doesn’t let you edit DNS from a simple settings toggle — you have to “forget” your Wi-Fi network and rejoin it through the advanced connection screen. It sounds more complicated than it is. Watch the full walkthrough below, or follow the quick steps underneath it.

  1. Go to Settings > Network and select your Wi-Fi network from the list.
  2. Press the Menu button (three horizontal lines) on your remote and select Forget Network.
  3. Select your network again to reconnect, enter your Wi-Fi password, but instead of selecting Connect, choose Advanced Options (or use the Menu button to reveal it).
  4. Set IP Settings to Static, then enter your IP address, gateway, and network prefix length exactly as they were — you can find these under Settings > My Fire TV > About > Network before you start, worth writing down first.
  5. Enter your chosen DNS 1 and DNS 2 addresses (see the free list below) in place of the default values.
  6. Select Connect and confirm your Firestick reconnects normally.

If you ever want to revert, just forget the network again and reconnect normally without entering Advanced Options — your Firestick will go back to using your router’s default DNS automatically.

Best Free DNS Servers You Can Use

All of these are free, reputable, and safe to enter directly in the steps above. Pick one pair (a primary and secondary address) and use both.

  • Cloudflare logoCloudflare — 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 — widely considered the fastest option, with a strict no-logging policy.
  • Google Public DNS logoGoogle Public DNS — 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 — reliable and unfiltered, a safe default if you’re not sure which to pick.
  • Quad9 logoQuad9 — 9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112 — automatically blocks known malicious and phishing domains, run by a non-profit.
  • OpenDNS logoOpenDNS — 208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220 — solid general-purpose option with an optional Family Shield version (208.67.222.123 / 208.67.220.123) that filters adult content.
  • AdGuard DNS logoAdGuard DNS — 94.140.14.14 / 94.140.15.15 — blocks ads and trackers network-wide before they ever load.
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Best Premium Smart DNS Services

Free DNS servers are great for speed, privacy, and security, but they won’t get you around regional content restrictions on their own. That’s what Smart DNS services are built for — they reroute the specific part of your connection that checks your location, without encrypting your traffic like a full VPN does. That makes them faster than a VPN for streaming, though less private, since your IP address isn’t hidden. Here are three of the most established options.

1. Unlocator logo Unlocator

Unlocator unblocks 240+ channels and streaming services and includes a hybrid mode that can switch to a full VPN connection when you need actual encryption. It comes with a 7-day free trial, works across five devices per license, and setup is a one-time DNS change similar to the free servers above.

2. Getflix logo Getflix

Getflix covers 300+ channels and services with unlimited bandwidth and no speed cap, and it’s one of the more affordable options in this space. It includes a 14-day free trial and works on nearly anything with network settings, including Fire TV, smart TVs, and game consoles.

3. SmartyDNS logo SmartyDNS

SmartyDNS unblocks 400+ services and pairs its Smart DNS with an optional VPN Fighter feature for extra flexibility. It also comes with a 14-day free trial and a no-logging policy, making it a solid pick if you want more services covered than the other two options.

FAQ

Does changing DNS slow down my Firestick?

No — if anything, a faster DNS provider like Cloudflare or Google can speed up how quickly apps and links load, since it only affects how names get resolved to addresses, not your actual streaming speed.

Is changing your DNS safe?

Yes, as long as you stick to reputable providers like the ones listed above. Avoid random DNS addresses from untrusted sources, since a malicious DNS server can redirect you to fake sites.

Do I still need a VPN if I change my DNS?

DNS changes and VPNs solve different problems. DNS affects speed, filtering, and (with Smart DNS) location-based unblocking, but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic or hide your IP address the way a VPN does. For full privacy, the two work best together.

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