Why Change DNS on Smart TV
Smart TVs are streaming machines. They run Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and dozens of other apps. Every app makes DNS lookups when you open it. A slow DNS means slow loading times for every app on your TV.
Smart TV operating systems are not the fastest. The processors in TVs are weaker than phones or streaming sticks. Slow DNS makes the problem worse by adding network latency on top of slow hardware. A faster DNS can make your TV feel snappier.
Each TV brand uses a different operating system. Samsung uses Tizen. LG uses webOS. Sony uses Android TV. The steps to change DNS are different for each one, but the idea is the same.
Change DNS on Samsung TV (Tizen)
- Press the Home button on your Samsung remote.
- Go to Settings (gear icon).
- Select General > Network.
- Select Network Status.
- Select IP Settings.
- Change DNS Setting from Auto to Manual.
- Enter your preferred DNS Server address. For Cloudflare:
1.1.1.1.
- Select OK and exit settings.
On older Samsung TVs, the menu path is slightly different. Look under Settings > Network > Expert Settings or Settings > Network > Advanced.
Change DNS on LG TV (webOS)
- Press the Settings button on your LG remote.
- Go to Network > Advanced or More.
- Select your connection type (Wi-Fi or Wired).
- Select the Edit option next to your network.
- Scroll to DNS and change from Auto to Manual.
- Enter your DNS address. For Cloudflare:
1.1.1.1.
- Select Connect or Apply.
On older webOS versions, you need to go to Settings > Network > Network Connection and edit the connection manually.
Change DNS on Sony Android TV
- Press the Home button on your Sony remote.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select your Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection.
- Select Advanced or Network Settings.
- Scroll to DNS and select Manual.
- Enter your Primary DNS and Secondary DNS.
- Select Apply or Save.
Sony Android TV uses the standard Android TV interface. The DNS setting is under the network settings for your specific connection.
Change DNS on Other Android TVs
If you have an Android TV from a brand like Philips, TCL, or Sharp, the steps are similar to Sony:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select your network and choose Advanced or Modify Network.
- Change IP settings from DHCP to Static.
- Enter the DNS addresses in the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields.
- Select Save.
Android TV requires setting IP to Static to change DNS. Make sure you write down your current IP address, gateway, and subnet mask before changing to Static, because you will need to re-enter them manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing DNS on my TV improve streaming quality?
It helps with loading times and reducing buffering. The actual video quality depends on your internet speed and the streaming service.
Do I need to change DNS for each network?
Yes. If you take your TV to a different location, you need to set the DNS again for the new network.
How do I revert DNS to automatic?
Go back to the same network settings and change DNS back to Auto or DHCP. The exact path depends on your TV brand.
Can I use the same DNS on all my devices?
Yes. Changing DNS on each device individually gives you consistent performance. Or change DNS on your router to apply it to all devices at once.