Replace ISP DNS with Quad9 for Speed & Privacy?
Switching your router or device to Quad9’s DNS can improve privacy and often speed up browsing, but it is not a guaranteed speed boost. Quad9 (9.9.9.9) blocks malicious domains and does not sell your data, unlike many ISP DNS servers; however, actual performance depends on your location, ISP, and network conditions. This article explains what Quad9 does, how it compares to your ISP’s DNS, and how to make the switch safely.
What DNS Does and Why It Matters
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet’s phonebook. When you type a web address, your device asks a DNS server for the numeric IP address that hosts the site. Your ISP automatically assigns a DNS server, but that server can be slow, log your queries, or fail to filter harmful sites. Quad9 is a free public DNS service run by a non-profit that uses threat intelligence from multiple cybersecurity companies to block known malicious domains before your device connects to them.
Key differences between ISP DNS and Quad9:
- Privacy: Quad9 does not store your IP address or sell your browsing data; ISP DNS often logs queries for marketing or legal reasons.
- Security: Quad9 automatically blocks phishing, malware, and botnet domains; many ISP servers do not filter at all.
- Speed: Quad9 uses anycast routing and global servers, which can be faster than a congested ISP server, but not always.
Does Quad9 Actually Speed Up Your Internet?
Quad9 can reduce the time it takes to resolve a domain name (the “lookup� time), which can make the first connection to a website feel snappier. However, it does not increase your download speed, reduce latency in games, or improve video streaming bandwidth. Speed benefits are most noticeable if your ISP’s DNS is overloaded or geographically far away. A quick way to test is to compare the response time of your current DNS versus Quad9 using a free tool like nslookup or an online DNS benchmark. In many cases, the difference is a few milliseconds—imperceptible in daily use, but measurable.
One common misconception is that Quad9 will speed up your entire connection. It only affects the initial address lookup, not the data transfer. If your ISP is slow, changing DNS won’t fix that.
Privacy and Security: What Quad9 Offers
Quad9’s main selling point is privacy and security. It does not create persistent logs of your IP address, and it uses encrypted DNS (DNS over TLS and DNS over HTTPS) to prevent eavesdropping on your queries. It also blocks domains on a real-time threat list, which can prevent you from visiting phishing sites or downloading malware. This is particularly useful for home networks with smart TVs, IoT devices, or children’s devices that might accidentally access malicious content.
However, Quad9 is not a complete privacy solution. It still sees the domain names you request (though not the full URL), and it may share aggregated statistics with security researchers. If you need anonymity, use a VPN or Tor. Quad9 is a security filter, not an anonymity tool.
How to Switch to Quad9 (Step-by-Step)
You can change DNS at three levels: individual device, router, or modem. Changing it on your router affects all devices connected to your Wi-Fi, which is usually the best approach.
- Open your router’s admin page (usually by typing
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1in a browser). - Find the WAN or Internet settings section (sometimes under “Advanced� or “Setup�).
- Look for “DNS Server� or “DNS Settings� and change it from “Automatic� to “Use the following DNS server.�
- Enter Quad9’s IPv4 addresses:
9.9.9.9and149.112.112.112(secondary). - Save the settings and reboot your router. Then reboot your devices or refresh their network connection.
For a single device (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS), go to the network settings, find the DNS field, and enter the same addresses. Note that some ISPs force their DNS regardless of your settings; in that case, you may need to enable DNS over HTTPS in your browser or operating system.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
After switching, you might encounter a few issues:
- Some websites fail to load: Quad9 blocks domains that are on threat lists. If a site is incorrectly flagged, you can report it, but you can also temporarily switch back to your ISP DNS.
- No internet connection: Double-check that you entered the IP addresses correctly. A single typo will break name resolution.
- ISP override: Some ISPs ignore third-party DNS on their network. Use encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT) in your browser or OS to bypass this.
- Slow initial response: Quad9’s servers can be slower than your ISP’s if they are far away. Use an online DNS benchmark to compare.
Quad9 vs. Other Public DNS Providers
Quad9 is not the only alternative. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) are also popular. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Google Public DNS: Very fast, but logs anonymized queries and uses your data for advertising.
- Cloudflare: Fast, privacy-focused, and offers a malware-blocking variant (1.1.1.2).
- Quad9: Non-profit, blocks malicious domains by default, and does not log IPs.
If you want both speed and privacy, Cloudflare is a close competitor. If you want security filtering without extra setup, Quad9 is the best choice. You can also use a combination, like Quad9 for primary and Cloudflare for secondary.
Cost and Limitations
Quad9 is completely free and does not require registration. There are no hidden fees, and it works with any ISP. However, it only filters DNS queries—it does not block ads, trackers, or adult content. For that, you would need a separate service like Pi-hole or a parental control app. Also, Quad9’s threat list is updated frequently, but it is not perfect; new malicious domains may slip through for a short time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Quad9 slow down my gaming?
No, DNS only affects the initial connection to a game server, not the in-game latency. Once connected, the game uses IP addresses directly, so Quad9 will not improve or worsen your ping.
Can I use Quad9 with a VPN?
Yes, but the VPN’s DNS will override Quad9 unless you manually configure DNS through the VPN. Some VPNs allow you to set custom DNS, but most use their own for privacy.
Does Quad9 work on mobile data?
Yes, you can change DNS on your phone’s Wi-Fi or mobile network settings. On Android, you can set a private DNS (DoT) to dns.quad9.net. On iOS, you need to configure a DNS profile or use a third-party app.
How do I know if Quad9 is working?
Visit on.quad9.net in your browser. It will show a green checkmark if your DNS is Quad9 and tell you if it’s blocking threats.
Can I switch back to my ISP DNS easily?
Yes, just change the DNS settings back to “Automatic� or remove the custom addresses. Your ISP’s DNS will be used again immediately after a reboot.
Is Quad9 safe to use for banking?
Yes, Quad9 does not intercept or modify your traffic; it only resolves domain names. Your connection to your bank’s website is still encrypted with HTTPS, and Quad9’s blocking of malicious domains adds an extra layer of protection.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.