---
title: "How to change DNS on Linux? | Nordlayer Help"
slug: "how-to-change-dns-on-linux"
status: "update"
updated: 2026-09-08T13:48:48Z
published: 2026-09-08T13:48:48Z
canonical: "help.nordlayer.com/how-to-change-dns-on-linux"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.nordlayer.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to change DNS on Linux?

Generally, the NordLayer application for Linux handles DNS settings automatically, and manual DNS configuration should not be needed. While you are connected, NordLayer configures DNS for you so that your queries are resolved securely through the VPN tunnel, and it restores your previous DNS settings when you disconnect.

However, for troubleshooting or specific scenarios, this guide shows how to edit, add, or remove DNS settings on your Linux device.

DNS (the Domain Name System) is what translates human-readable addresses such as nordlayer.com into the IP addresses your device actually connects to. When DNS is misconfigured or slow, websites can fail to load even though your internet connection is otherwise working — which is why DNS is one of the first things worth checking when troubleshooting connectivity.

To make DNS handling as smooth as possible:

- Ensure **systemd-resolved** is installed and running, or that **NetworkManager** is managing DNS.
- Make sure the DNS server is reachable.

NordLayer detects and supports several DNS mechanisms automatically: **sys-temd-resolved**, **NetworkManager**, the **resolvconf **tool (e.g. *openresolv*), and directly editing */etc/resolv.confas* a fallback.

## Ensuring *systemd-resolved* is installed and running

1. Open the terminal with **CTRL** + **ALT** + **T** and run:

```
systemctl status systemd-resolved
```

1. This shows detailed information about the service (press **q** to exit).
2. DNS servers should be visible per interface:

```
resolvectl
```

(Use the up/down keys to navigate and **q** to exit.)

## Installing systemd-resolved

*systemd-resolved* is installed as part of systemd and is active by default on most common Linux distributions. If needed, you can enable it with:

```
sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-resolved
```

## Making sure DNS is reachable

Check whether a DNS server is reachable. You can ping any well-known public resolver — for example *1.1.1.1* or *8.8.8.8*:

```
ping 1.1.1.1
```

(Press **CTRL** + **C** to exit.) You should also be able to perform DNS requests. The command below asks a resolver to look up *nordlayer.comand* should return one or more IP addresses:

```
dig nordlayer.com
```

If dig is not installed, you can use *resolvectl* *query nordlayer.com* with *systemd-resolved*) or *nslookup nordlayer.com* instead.

## Advanced topics

### When systemd-resolved is not available

If neither *systemd-resolved* nor *NetworkManager* is viable, you can install *openresolv* (for advanced users):

On **Ubuntu** and **Debian-based** distributions:

```
sudo apt install openresolv
```

On **Fedora**:

```
sudo dnf install openresolv
```

### Choosing a different DNS server

You can use the default NordLayer DNS server, apply Web Protection DNS settings, or [set up custom DNS on a server with a dedicated IP](https://help.nordlayer.com/docs/request-custom-dns).

### Setting DNS servers for a manual VPN connection (when not using the application)

When using a manual VPN connection, a DNS server can be set on the VPN interface (*nlx0* for NordLynx or *ovpn0* for OpenVPN), preferably through **System Settings** or **Network Manager**. Alternatively, it can be set using *openresolv*. For example, OpenDNS uses: • **208.67.220.222** for the primary server • **208.67.220.220** for the secondary server

---

**Note**: In case you have any questions or issues, press '**Chat with support**' at the bottom of the page.