Shift. DNS-Servers are one of the first steps that a Xiaomi router owner should take to improve the quality of the Internet connection. The provider’s standard settings often work slowly or do not provide the proper level of privacy, which is especially noticeable when watching high-resolution video or playing online. Reconfiguring addresses at the router level allows you to instantly apply changes to all connected devices, from smartphones to smart TVs, without the need to manually configure each gadget.
Changing network settings in the MiWiFi or Xiaomi Router interface does not require a deep knowledge of network technologies, but requires attention to detail. Incorrect data entry can lead to loss of access to the WAN, so it is important to follow the algorithm of actions. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of settings, consider popular alternative servers and answer frequent questions that arise from users in the process of upgrading the home network.
Before you start editing system files or changing parameters in the web interface, you need to make sure that the connection with the router itself is stable. Any interruption of communication during the configuration changes may require resetting the device to factory settings, which will take additional time. Prepare the current addresses of the servers you plan to use and check their operability on other devices, if possible.
Why Change DNS on Xiaomi Router
The main reason for switching to third-party DNS-Service speed and connection reliability are key to services, and providers often use their own servers, which may be overloaded or outdated, leading to delays in opening web pages. Use fast and optimized servers such as Cloudflare or Google Public DNS, It reduces the waiting time for a response from a remote host, making surfing more smooth.
Also, the shift DNS-Addresses on the Xiaomi router are an effective way to bypass simple blocking sites. Many Internet providers block access to certain resources at the domain name level, and switching to an unblocked server allows you to restore access to information without using complex traffic encryption tools. This is especially true for users who need free access to educational or news portals.
Security is another important aspect that cannot be ignored. DNS-ISPs offer built-in protection against phishing sites and malicious software. Automatic router-level traffic filtering protects all devices on your network, including those that cannot be installed with antivirus software, such as security cameras or smart lights.
⚠️ Attention: Use of unverified DNS-servers can lead to leakage of data about visited sites or redirection to phishing resources.
Modern protocols such as DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT) are also possible when routers are properly configured, and these technologies encrypt requests to prevent them from being intercepted and replaced by third parties, which greatly increases the level of privacy on the local network.
Preparation for configuration: addresses of popular servers
Before entering the settings of the Xiaomi router, you need to decide on the supplier. DNS-The choice depends on your priorities: maximum speed, privacy or parental control. There are several time-tested services that have proven to be reliable and fast solutions for home networks.
Below is a table with the most popular addresses DNS-servers that can be used with Xiaomi hardware. Save this data to quickly enter it into the appropriate settings fields.
| Provider | The main DNS | Alternative DNS | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | High speed, stability |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 | Priority of privacy, speed |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 | Blocking malicious sites |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220 | Flexible filtering settings |
When choosing a server, you should consider the geographic location of the provider’s data centers. The closer the server is physically to your location, the less latency it takes to process requests. For users from Russia and CIS countries, Yandex DNS or Google servers are often optimal, but the situation may vary depending on the quality of the backbone channels.
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Use DNS speed checkers (like DNS Benchmark) on your PC to determine which server is running faster in your area.
Log in to the web interface of the Xiaomi router
To start setting up, you need to access the router control panel, a process that is standard for most Xiaomi Mi Router models, including the series. AX, AC Make sure your device (computer or smartphone) is connected to or connected to the router's Wi-Fi network. LAN-cable.
Open any web browser and enter in the address bar IP-The default gateway address is usually 192.168.31.1 or the domain name miwifi.com. If the default addresses don't work, check the network connection settings on your device -- that's where the main gateway address is, which is the router's address.
The system will ask for an administrator password. This is not a Wi-Fi password, but a special key that you set up the router for the first time, and if you forget this password, you'll have to reset the device to factory settings by holding the Reset button on the case for 5-10 seconds.
Once you have successfully logged in, you will be taken to the main status page, which displays your current network load, number of devices connected, and firmware version. To navigate to DNS settings, you will need a section that handles local or wide area network settings, which is usually in the Settings or Common Settings menu.
What to do if the page does not load?
Step-by-step: changing DNS to MiWiFi
The interface of the MiWiFi firmware may vary slightly depending on the software version and the regional location of the device (Chinese or global).
Follow the action algorithm to change your DNS settings:
- 📍 In the top menu, select the Settings tab or the gear icon.
- 📍 Go to System Status or Status, then search the Internet (Internet).
- 📍 In the Connection Settings block, click the Change or Edit button (Change/Modify).
- 📍 Find the field. DNS and switch from Automatic to Manual).
- 📍 Enter the selected primary and secondary addresses DNS-servers in the appropriate fields.
- 📍 Press the Save button or OK change.
Once the settings are saved, the router can reboot the network interface, at which point the Internet on the connected devices can disappear for a short time, which is a normal phenomenon, indicating the application of new routing parameters.
☑️ Checklist of changes
In some versions of firmware (especially Chinese), the path may look like Settings → System Status → Wide Web. If you can’t find the right field, search for settings or consult documentation for your specific Xiaomi model.
Setting up DNS in the Mi Home mobile application
Xiaomi routers can also be managed via the Mi Home mobile app or the specialized Mi WiFi. This method is convenient if there is no computer at hand, but the application interface is often stripped down compared to the web version.
To modify the DNS through the app:
- Open the app and select your router from the list of devices.
- Go to the settings menu (usually three dots or a tool icon).
- Find the Network Settings or Connection Settings section.
- Select the connection type (PPPoE, DHCP, Static) and click Change.
- Manually write it. DNS-Addresses in the appropriate fields and save.
It is worth noting that in mobile versions of the interface, some advanced features can be hidden. If you do not see the possibility of DNS input, use the web interface through the smartphone browser by entering the address 192.168.31.1.
⚠️ Note: When configuring via the app, make sure the phone is connected to the Wi-Fi router rather than using mobile internet. 4G/5G, otherwise the settings will not apply.
After making changes to the application, it is recommended to reboot the router in a software way through the same control menu to ensure that the network tables are updated correctly.
Checking results and diagnosing problems
Once the settings are saved, you need to make sure that the Xiaomi router is actually using the new ones. DNS-Just having the Internet isn't enough, you have to check which nodes are going through the requests.
There are several ways to check:
- 🔍 Visit dnsleaktest.com or visit it. 2ip.ru/dns. The site will show IP-address DNS-If the addresses match the ones you typed, the setup was successful.
- 🔍 Use the command line on your computer. Enter nslookup google.com. The server response must include the address of your choice. DNS.
- 🔍 Pay attention to the speed of opening sites. If pages start loading much faster, then the new provider is more efficient than the previous 255.
If the Internet is lost after changing the DNS, the addresses entered may be incorrect or the servers are not available in your region, in which case, go back to the router settings and select Auto mode to restore access to the network through the provider's servers.
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Successful DNS changes are only confirmed by external verification, not just by having access to the Internet.
In rare cases, cleaning may be required. DNS-cache on client devices. On Windows, this is done by the ipconfig command. /flushdns, on Android and iOS, it is enough to turn on and off the flight mode.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may face a number of typical difficulties during the setup process, and understanding the causes of these difficulties will help to quickly restore the network to work.
One common problem is that some devices ignore router settings. Modern operating systems such as Android and Windows 10/11 can use their own DNS settings (e.g. Secure DNS in Chrome or Private DNS in Android) that take precedence over router settings, in which case you need to change the DNS directly on the device.
Another problem is the unstable work of individual DNS-If you notice a periodic communication breakdown or a long load of pages, try changing the provider. DNS. For example, go from Google to Cloudflare or Quad9. The network is dynamic, and what worked yesterday may work worse today.
⚠️ Attention: If after the shift DNS stopped opening the sites of the local network provider (for example, payment pages or personal accounts), temporarily return automatic settings.
Also worth keeping an eye out for Xiaomi router firmware updates.Manufacturers often fix bugs in the network stack that can affect stability DNS-Regular software updates are the best prevention of network problems.