How to change Xbox One DNS to boost network speed and privacy

By Jez Corden
published

Whether you're looking to improve network connectivity or simply use the web with a bit of extra privacy, you can set up a custom DNS server on your Xbox One directly.

Recently, Cloudflare announced that it is providing a free domain name service (DNS) product that's meant to put speed and privacy first. Google and a few other providers offer DNS services that are typically speedier than your ISP when it comes to resolving where domains are located. However, using Google's DNS, particularly in an age when privacy is being gradually eroded, probably isn't the smartest idea if you don't want your web usage to be tracked. ISPs in some countries are also allowed to harvest your information to sell to third-parties for marketing and ad targeting.

Cloudflare claims its new 1.1.1.1 DNS service is not only the fastest free-to-use system, but the company also says it will never forward your information to third-parties.

How to configure Xbox One DNS settings

Whether you want to use Cloudflare or another service, here's how to set the default DNS on your Xbox One and (potentially) speed up your multiplayer connectivity.

  1. Open the guide by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. Move right to the System tab.
  3. Select Settings.
  1. Move down to Network.
  2. Select Network settings.
  3. Select Advanced settings.

  1. Make a note of your existing DNS servers on this screen, in case you need to re-enter them for some reason.
  2. Select DNS settings.
  3. Select Manual.
  4. Enter your new DNS servers. (For Cloudfare, it's 1.1.1.1 as the primary, and 1.0.0.1 as the secondary.)

  1. Once you have finished, press B to exit the menu, and the Xbox will check your connection to make sure everything is working correctly.

Now you should have speedier, more private DNS for accessing Xbox Live!

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Jez Corden
Jez Corden
Co-Managing Editor

Jez Corden a Managing Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by caffeine. Follow on Twitter @JezCorden and listen to his Xbox Two podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!

13 Comments
  • If i made the DNS change to my router, do i still have to change it on the Xbox?
  • That's my question too. I assume because I changed my routers DNS that anything connected to my router with blanket underneath that I'm not a hundred percent sure that's true.
  • Correct - changing it at the router level changes it for all devices that are using default settings. However any device that already has a manual configuration will keep that manual configuration. In this case, if your Xbox was not already on "Manual", then you can change your router and the Xbox will use it (which is what I've done).
  • Does not work
  • I'm curious if you are actually using this, Jez?
  • They sure are advertising it a lot in the guise of helpful articles...
  • Just configure it to your router so all devices use Cloudflare
  • Has anybody tested this to see if it is in fact faster?
  • thats what I want to know. since I use my xbox to mostly play Netflix. if I was worried about people knowing I wouldn't have 1600 followers on xbox myself. is it faster lol
  • I've just changed it, can't be any worse than the shti service I currently have, my multi-player lags all the time. Will soon know, hopefully it works so thanks for the tip
  • I can't see any reason to do this unless you know for sure your ISP is injecting DNS redirects into your queries.
    Even then, if that is the case, you should do this at your edge router, so all of your devices benefit. If you want to check, go get the "Namebench" software and use it, or just perform an NSLOOKUP and see if the reply is "Authoritative" or not.
  • Google doesn't use DNS for tracking. And no, I don't use Google DNS. https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/privacy
  • Unless you are using one of those ISP's that block changing your DNS servers (yes Sky, I'm looking at you). Even after manually changing your DNS setting on any device, they just by-pass it and route it through their own servers again.