Guide
Does changing DNS lower your ping in games? A straight answer, and when to change it
A very common tip says: want low ping, change your DNS. But DNS only turns a name like cfx.re into an IP address when you start connecting. Once you are on the server, the game talks to it directly without DNS, so your in game ping stays the same.
What DNS really helps with
- Launchers and pages start loading a little faster, if your old DNS was very slow.
- It fixes cases where your provider's DNS is down or cannot find names, like pages that won't open while the internet is still connected.
- Some DNS services block dangerous sites, for example Quad9 blocks known malware and phishing sites.
Common DNS services
- Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1: fast almost everywhere, no filtering.
- Google 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4: very reliable, no filtering.
- Quad9 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112: blocks malware and phishing sites.
- OpenDNS 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220: no filtering on these addresses.
Change it in Windows
- Open Settings, Network & internet.
- Pick Ethernet or Wi Fi and click the connection you use.
- Next to DNS server assignment press Edit and pick Manual.
- Turn on IPv4, fill in Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS, and press Save.
Names stuck as not found
If the internet is back but a site or server still won't open, Windows may remember that it could not find the name, and it remembers for minutes. Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter to clear it.
High ping is fixed elsewhere
In game ping depends on the distance to the server, your Wi Fi or LAN cable, the router and your internet line. See the guide on FiveM high ping and lag, and the one on ping spikes when others use the internet.
Let Savenz Optimizer check it
The Network page of Savenz Optimizer has a DNS speed test: it asks each service 18 times and says which is fastest from your connection. If your DNS is already fast enough, it says there is no need to change. To change, press it right there, and Back to before puts it back. Don't remember failed DNS lookups makes Windows look a name up again right away instead of remembering it as not found. Questions? Ask in the Discord.