When people talk about improving Internet connections, you hear a lot about DNS. Thus, if you have a Comcast Xfinity router, you might want to change the DNS on the router for a somewhat faster and safer Internet experience.
Are you wondering where to start? I have prepared a complete guide on changing DNS on Xfinity routers and connected devices. As always, I will cover the basics first.
What is DNS?
DNS, which stands for Domain Name System, is a component that powers the Internet. As you already know, the Internet uses IP addresses, which are numeric addresses that are difficult to remember. DNS exists so that you can access websites and other services by entering the domain name instead of the IP address.
In other words, a DNS service will convert the domain name into the corresponding IP address. Without DNS, you would have to remember the IP address of all your favorite sites, including Google. ISPs across the world use different DNS servers, though. However, not all of them work the same way.
So, unsurprisingly, Xfinity routers also make use of DNS servers.
Default DNS Router Settings
Because Comcast Xfinity is a large-scale Internet service provider across the United States, it needs multiple DNS servers to work. The common default DNS router settings for Xfinity are:
- 75.75.75.75
- 75.75.76.76
- 68.87.64.146
- 68.87.75.194
- 68.87.73.246
- 68.87.73.242
- 68.87.72.134
- 68.87.72.130
- 68.87.75.198
- 68.87.68.166
- 68.87.68.162
- 68.87.74.162
- 68.87.74.166
- 68.87.76.178
- 68.87.76.182
Therefore, if you have been using the default DNS settings from Xfinity, you will see any two of these DNS IP addresses when you check the network settings page. The option may vary based on your location and the type of router you have.
But, as I said, ISP-provided DNS servers are not perfect. The situation with Comcast Xfinity is no exception.
Why You Should Use Different DNS Servers
You typically face some limitations when using ISP-provided DNS servers, including the ones from Xfinity. So, when you shift to an alternative DNS server, you will notice some changes.
Benefits of Using Alternative DNS Servers
Here are the core benefits you can get from an alternative DNS server.
Speed & Performance
Alternative DNS servers typically offer better speed and performance compared to ISP-provided DNS servers. This means that these alternative servers can convert domain names into the corresponding IP addresses more quickly. I recommend changing the DNS to one of the options below if you feel that your Xfinity router is slower. However, keep in mind that DNS servers don’t improve download or upload speeds.
Network Security
You can also expect better security from many of these DNS servers. They offer you better protection from threats like DNS spoofing and DNS poisoning. On the other hand, ISP-provided DNS servers can land you in trouble if you are not careful. If better security and privacy are your priority, I recommend checking out private DNS services as well.
Anti-Malware Protection
You can also expect improved protection from digital threats when using an alternative DNS server. For instance, these DNS servers can stop you from accessing problematic/fraudulent websites in the first place. Similarly, security-focused DNS servers do not sell your data to third-party vendors. This way, you can expect a more peaceful and private Internet experience.
Customization Options
Compared to Xfinity-provided DNS servers, alternative DNS servers leave more room for customization. For instance, you can access parental controls or bypass geo-restrictions on the network. While not as powerful as VPNs or network configurations, alternative DNS servers are still great. You can also go for DNS servers that are optimized for activities like streaming and gaming.
Therefore, based on your requirements, you can choose one of the many alternative DNS servers available.
Popular Alternative DNS Options
As I said, you can choose between public and private DNS servers. Public DNS servers are free to use but may not offer additional features. However, when you go private, you can choose a server optimized for specific needs like streaming or gaming.
Some popular public DNS servers are:
- Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4).
- Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1).
- OpenDNS from Cisco (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220).
I have been using Google Public DNS and Cloudflare for years, and they have consistently outperformed the default DNS servers from Xfinity and other Internet Service Providers.
You should also check private DNS services in the market. Most of them are premium but offer many valuable features like bypassing content restrictions and anti-malware protection. You may want to use these servers network-wide so that you get protection on all devices.
How To Change DNS on Xfinity Router
I believe you have found at least one better DNS server than the default DNS servers from Xfinity. You have a few ways to change DNS on Xfinity router models based on how wide you want the coverage to be.
For instance, if you want network-wide changes, you can change the DNS at the Xfinity router level.
Step-by-Step Guide
I have noticed that many Xfinity Gateways do not allow you to change the DNS server. For reasons that baffle me, it means you are stuck using the DNS servers from Xfinity. This Reddit thread has so many users who are frustrated with this random situation.
Nevertheless, I’m not sure whether newer models offer this capacity. So, I’d want you to try these steps before exploring alternative methods.
- Accessing the Router Settings: You need to log into the admin dashboard for the Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi router gateway. You can find the default IP address and the username-password credentials on the router label.
- Navigating to the DNS Settings: Once you see the dashboard, navigate to Network Settings and choose DNS Settings.
- Changing the DNS Settings: You should now see the DNS servers for the router. Check if the field is editable. If so, you can replace the existing servers with an alternative server.
You need to reboot the Comcast Xfinity router after you have changed the DNS settings. The next time you try opening a website, the router will use the new DNS servers instead of Xfinity ones.
Alternative Methods
Don’t worry if you cannot change the DNS servers on the Comcast Xfinity router. You can try these alternative methods. My Xfinity router also does not support DNS server change. So, I had to resort to these methods.
Using a Secondary Router
The easiest method is to use a different router other than the Xfinity one. One, you can set up a secondary Wi-Fi router in bridge mode. This way, you can use the alternative DNS servers on the new router and access the benefits. The Xfinity xFi gateway will function as a bridge for the connection.
Two, you can always replace the Xfinity router with a third-party router. Sure, you need to spend some time on configuration, but it is all worth the effort. You can not only change the default DNS servers but also get rid of many other restrictions we face with Xfinity routers.
Depending on your Internet plan, a secondary/replacement router can help you get rid of monthly rentals as well.
Using Device-Specific Methods
If you don’t want to use bridge mode or get another router, you can use device-level network settings to use alternative DNS servers. In this method, you simply bypass the default DNS server from the router by telling your devices to use something else. The steps to do this are:
On Windows
On Windows, open Settings and navigate to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi/Ethernet > Hardware Properties > DNS Server Assignment. Here, you can enter the alternative DNS addresses instead of the default ones. Your PC will use the new DNS servers the next time you connect to the Internet. This method should work across the computer, including browsers and applications.
On Mac
Open Network Settings on your Mac and select the Xfinity network. Click Details and go to DNS. Here, you’ll find the default DNS servers from Xfinity. Remove the two and insert the alternative DNS servers as per your requirements. After making the changes, click OK, and your Mac will save the settings. From now on, your device will use the new DNS servers for specific connections.
On Linux
On many Linux distros, you first need to navigate to Network Settings > IPv4 or IPv6 Connections and turn off the Automatic DNS option. Then, you can enter the alternative DNS server details as you need. After you have saved the settings, everything should be in line. You can also use the Terminal to change all these settings via commands.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While mostly straightforward, you may face some common issues after changing DNS on an Xfinity router or a device within the network. Here are some troubleshooting options:
- Some routers/computers may need a restart to activate the new DNS settings. So, if the connection seems slow even after shifting to the new DNS, I recommend restarting it.
- Depending on the DNS server you have selected, there may be propagation delays as well. That is, even when a website changes its IP address, the server may navigate you to the old IP address.
- You may also come across multiple DNS errors, which happen when the DNS server fails to respond. It may occur due to a bad configuration or a server-side issue.
- Xfinity may also stop you from using a third-party DNS server in the first place. In this case, you may have to contact the customer support team for permission.
In some cases, device-level firewalls may also prevent changes to DNS servers. In this case, you should check if the network settings are conflicting with anti-malware or protection settings.
I should also add that third-party DNS servers are not all bells and roses. You might come across downtime and other regional restrictions. So, if I were you, I’d go for reputed ones.
Conclusion
By choosing one of the alternative DNS servers, you can protect your entire Xfinity network from a variety of digital threats. While you are at it, you can speed up the internet experience as well. I know that Xfinity has a rather sketchy policy about DNS servers, but there are plenty of workarounds. You don’t even have to get a new device.
